Choosing Presence Over Perfection

The other day, a dear friend shared words that touched me so deeply I felt chills run through my whole body. It was the kind of reminder that makes your eyes water, not out of sadness, but from a place of gratitude and recognition.

I thought about my children. April, who right now is very much in her teenager world, and little Andy, still too young to grasp everything. Maybe they don’t see or understand yet the depth of my love for them. But one day, I hope they do, just by the way I’ve chosen to live my life in front of them.

I once had a colleague who told me she hardly saw her children because she was so focused on her doctorate. And I admired her, there’s a certain beauty in being that academically driven, in giving your kids the example of resilience, discipline, and success. There’s power in showing them how to go after big dreams and earn the rewards that come with them.

But for me, the path looks different. I’d rather have less and be present. I want to enjoy my children, live fully with them, laugh with them, and be there for the little moments. I don’t want to resent the trade-offs of chasing a bigger paycheck or prestige at the cost of missing their childhood.

Yes, I still have my goals, my dreams, my ambitions. And I trust God’s timing that I’ll reach them when it’s right, not when I try to force it. That faith gives me peace.

So, I remind myself: I may not have it all in the way society sometimes defines success, but I do have joy. I have love. I have presence. And that, to me, feels richer than anything else.

To my friends and my community: thank you for speaking truth with love, for reminding me of who I am when I get lost in comparison or doubt. Keep telling me when I’m slipping, and I’ll do the same for you. Because being real, being grounded, and being present, that’s the kind of “chingona” I aspire to be.