My stories for NBC News...

Cinema Tropical: Beyond Hollywood, A Wealth of Latino Films

'Pelo Malo' Director Mariana Rondon: Why Her Movie Hits A Nerve

The Year In Latino Books

Ten Great Latino Albums of 2014

Latinos Living in Gringolandia

Filmmakers Explore Tourism Toll on the Planet

One of my spiritual advisors suggested that whenever I have an issue or I am stuck, emotionally, physically, spiritually, creatively-- with me or someone -- I ask myself two questions:

Where do I need to see grace?

Where do I need to see poetry?

The two questions are powerful because automatically I become the observer in my life. And I pull back and watch me. Spirit seems to move though me and let me see answers to questions I did not even know I had.

I continue to be humbled by the deep wisdom that resides in my questions. I used to want an answer to everything. The journalist within. Now, I am more patient, with myself, and with the questions. I am inspired to practice Rainer Maria Rilke's idea of living the questions.

"Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked room and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would bot be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer."

"Learn the art of celebrating yourself - for no reason, for no cause. Just to be is enough, more than enough. To be part of the whole is such a great metamorphosis that you cannot resist – you have to dance, you have to sing, you have to express your joy, your blissfulness." ~Osho

Susan Sontag on love...

... "I'm only interested in people engaged in a project of self-transformation..." 

This beautiful artwork with the even more gorgeous musings on love by the extraordinary Susan Sontag is available for purchase. Proceeds benefit a foundation supporting women writers, A Room of Her Own.

The eloquence of baby boomers

It's been a while since I posted. Working on several projects. One of them, The Boomer List, comes out this fall. Stay tuned for the full film. But the Newseum will host an exhibit exploring the generation and will include the stunning portraits by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders of the influential subjects featured in the film.

My favorites posts

Don't Cry for me: I am a Vegetarian

Reflecting on what it means to be a bitch

Immigration Debate 2.0: No Human Being is Illegal

What makes a Hispanic Hispanic anyway? 

Mickalene's Magnificence

Why playing is good for your brain

   

Love re-defined

Favoritism will get you a job, and keep you employed

Are your cultural beliefs keeping you from achieving your potential?

Is being a good girl killing you softly?

Should We Celebrate Hispanic Heritage? But of course...

Check out my latest column on CNN where I explore the significance of our nation celebrating Hispanic American Heritage.

(CNN) -- From the White House to statehouses across America, from Main Street to Wall Street, there will be many commemorations marking Hispanic Heritage Month, which officially kicked off on September 15 -- but does all the hoopla matter?

Yes. All the proclamations, mariachi music and exultations, even the tacos served at these tributes are necessary -- especially if, beyond cocktails and soggy nachos, everyone takes the time to learn the stories and recognize everyday Hispanic American heroes who gave and continue to give of themselves to this nation.

The story behind Hispanic Heritage Month

My breakup with high heels... the end of a love affair

I've had a life long love affair with high heels. But a year ago, when I tripped and almost fell on a pile of dog dung, and my heel went one way and the ankle another, I knew it was time to give them up. There are no sensible heels anymore.

I share my break up story w Latina magazine in this month's issue. It's on newsstands now.

Are your cultural beliefs keeping you from getting that promotion?

I am so proud of this latest piece I wrote for LATINA magazine. This is about leaning in Latina style. For Hispanic women in the workplace (and at home too) it's not just limiting gender beliefs that can keep us from success, but cultural beliefs. Like, "good Latina girls are not aggressive," or we grapple with respecting elders and don't know how to stand up to authority figures, or we are afraid to makes make waves coz we look más bonitas when we are calladitas...

In the piece I explore four cultural roadblocks that many Latinas grapple with but also feature coaching tips to over come these hurdles:

• Do you like playing humble?
• Do you sometimes believe you don't deserve that corner office, or to be CEO? 
• Do you have an issue standing up to authority figures?
• And do you get pressured to live up to the good daughters should be married, preferably with a man and with kids?