By Reynaldo Mena

The New Year always brings with it a cultural tradition of new possibilities. We see it as a chance for renewal.

And when we think of possibilities, we put ourselves right in the middle of the picture. We begin to dream of new possible selves. We design our Ideal Self, fashion an image of ourselves that is in various ways different from what we are now.

For some of us, we roll that dreamy film in our heads just because it’s the beginning of a new year, but we aren’t serious about making changes. The cultural atmosphere simply prescribes such fantasies at that time of year, but they don’t resonate with any impulse deep within. We make some half-hearted resolutions and it evaporates after a week or two.

For some of us, however, the intentions to enact change are driven more from within, and we use the season of new beginnings as the gatepost to which we hitch our good intentions. Should these falter, we walk away a bit damaged. The experience registers on us, chips away at our sense of self and makes us feel less successful. We think we aren’t very good. It leads us to discount our ability to change in the future.

The difference between good intentions and failed intentions comes down to one thing: the recognition that self-change is one of the most difficult things we can do. Between us as we are now and us in the image of our ideal self stands the bulldog fact of our ingrained habits.

It’s not that change is impossible, it’s that it isn’t likely to last unless our resolutions are fortified with lesson plans for implementation. We have to detail exactly how we are going to achieve things. We have to make our intentions manageable by detailing the specific steps that will carry us to our goal.

(Psychology Today)

Here are some resolutions from our interviewees in 2023:

David R. Hernández, founder and owner of NightFlare.LA. (Photo_“Rudy Torres”, @visualeyes.la)

-David R Hernandez

(President/CEO for SELA’s first film production company)

This years goal is to find the team and collective that will be part of the first official international film festival in Southeast Los Angeles and launch it 2025. The Filmmakers in SELA Mixer was the debut as I and along side with Rudy Torres organized this mixer to bring the Southeast and East LA community of filmmakers to network and screen some of their films.
Glad I got to meet some of my neighbor filmmakers and can’t wait to come together, continue to thrive and collaborate collectively.
This is a branch of the vision when I started my film production company NightFlare and I am just getting started to unveil a section at a time.

-Terry Cortez

( Host of the program ‘Al Aire con El Terrible’ on the 97.9FM La Raza station)

“In this upcoming year, my greatest aspiration is to expand the program’s reach into new markets within the United States and transcend borders by bringing it to the airwaves of Mexico. Furthermore, I aspire to participate as a host in a special program on the Telemundo network, contributing my energy and passion for entertainment. I also envision the possibility of making another acting cameo in a renowned film, seizing the opportunity to continue exploring creative facets on the big screen. Additionally, in line with my commitment to the community, I aim to provide food and hope to over 10,000 families through events dedicated to delivering free provisions. I seek to expand our philanthropic work and make a tangible difference in the lives of those in dire need. It is my desire to remain a positive agent of change, providing assistance to disadvantaged communities and leaving a meaningful impact in the fight against food insecurity.”

-Christine Escobar

(LATINA coach/speaker, Elite Mortgage Group/Founder of GracefullyFIERCE)

For 2024 my main goal and purpose is to accomplish things at my reach and that would benefit me. I am not looking at what anyone else is doing or attempting to obtain. We sometimes get too caught up in what others are doing and that is so frustrating to me.

We need to focus on our needs and what is next to accomplish these goals. I make sure it’s nothing crazy that will make me fail. The goals I am setting are based on the 5 Fs (family, finances, fitness, faith and fun) With family I want to spend more quality time, financially I’m going to have a set goal and not spend money just because it’s there. For fitness reasons I want to make my time at the gym of highest priority for its long term affects on my overall health. With my faith I want to expand how I practice it and follow it. Having fun is a necessity in life but it’s so easy to just go with the flow with invites and other things, but I want to start doing things monthly-things I’ve always wanted to do.

The key is to make sure the goals are attainable and not hard to reach and I make them suited to my life.

-Gregorio Luke

(Speaker)

I just wish to work, work and work.

It sounds kind of dull but it’s true, when you love what you do, you just want to be able to keep doing it. Currently, I’m working on a new lecture on Evita. And every morning, I just can’t wait to get up and hit the books.

-Stefany Hernández

(Influencer, Travel + Fashion Empowerment, Co-Founder @estilolatinx, COO @latinxtravelclub, @latinxfw @maisonlatam)

In this new year, my main goal is to encourage a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Prioritizing oneself to be the best version of themselves possible. Everything being done with purpose and sacrifice has great rewards. Rest and recharge is a must. Understanding that being healthy is a balance – it’s ok to eat those foods you love once a year, however, you have to understand that if you want to live a healthier lifestyle, you have to eat to fuel your body (veggies, fruits, proteins) the rest of the year around. Cheers to 2024!

-Cesar Castro

(Musician, cultural promoter, teacher)

All my projects are the main goal for 2024 and I have to do them better!

As an artist, it will be to concretize the work of research and rhythmic exploration with Afro-Colombian percussion that began in January with the Tarima y Tambor project with Eduardo Martinez; I also compose and publish singles with various themes and genres and that I can produce from my home studio from start to finish. Promote son and fandango jarochos in L.A. offering classes and supporting centers where others teach them. Return to Tlalixcoyan, See the summer course for children taught. And I hope to return to the luderia trade. I hope the year lasts me!

-Georgina Hernández

(Promotora de salud)

My goal this year, first of all, God, is to create my own company to be able to help women to work who do not have a job. I would also like to get benefits from somewhere to be able to create an organization for pure women who suffer from any violence. There are many dreams that I have for this year I hope to find someone who can guide and help me. Thank you for supporting us. Thank you for writing our stories because many more can also trust her to write their own story. Thank you and blessings.

Caring for Yourself in the New Year

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Resolutions: We have to detail exactly how we are going to achieve things