We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mari Maria. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mari below.
Mari, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
When I was younger, I was born with a broken clavicle, so I was in a cast for about a year. Then after I recovered, I was diagnosed with arthritis so back in a cast I went for a couple more years. During those 1st 5 years of my life, I learned very quickly and very early how fragile life was. I still had hope that life could be a good experience and I knew that if I made it out of this it was for a good reason.
I spend a lot of time alone thinking to myself just reflecting on the situations I was in. I knew that things could still get worse because at times they did but I also knew they could get better. So, I thought to myself, how could I get myself out of this situation? What could I do right now to make myself feel better? What can I learn while I’m right here sitting? So, I started to focus on good things. Imagine myself walking and running. I learn how important it is to have good spirits especially when the odds aren’t in your favor.
Thankfully my mother knew that I could get better as well, and she never gave up on me. Her sister is a doctor, and she helped my mother. They made it their mission to get me better. She insisted that I would walk one day. She would always keep me busy and told me to learn still. I learned how to sow, I started being homeschooled and learn about art. I learned about plants and the environment; I learned about patience and how to be grateful for the opportunity I have.
Every day for years I have been going to the hospital. But I was slowly yet surely getting better. I held on to that glimmer of hope and I focused on that fact. I was so eager to walk like everyone else whenever I got a chance to do more, I would go for it. Just to see where I was at. Eventually I did get better. The doctor told me the fight wasn’t over, this was something that I would have to deal with. The life of living with arthritis and its effect is all I knew so I was as ready as I could be. I knew if I could overcome this sickness, I could overcome anything. Once I came to America I went after every opportunity that I could.
As the doctor said the effects would continue to happen and I would end up in the hospital again and I did. All the way up until I was around 20 years old, I stayed in and out of the hospital. Other things came up about my health but like before I stayed resilient. It was hard but I always overcame it. Like before I had my mom. Her sisters guided me and told me what to do. I had the company of friends and of course music, all that really helped.
I took that resilience that I have, and I adapted that mindset for everything I did in my life especially when things got difficult. I have a formula that works for me. I was grateful and happy.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am interested in a few different things. I am a dance choreographer, photographer, and environmentalist. I have a big passion and love for art. I also have the same love and passion for the plants and the environment we live in. So, I’ll tell you about my progress in all 3 areas.
These past couple of years have been very active for me. In my dance I have been training with some amazing teachers. I joined Fam Fatale and all girl dance group focused on the fundamentals of Hip Hop. I started battling again, I even made Top 7 for 7 Smoke Rookie battle in waacking. I started teaching at studios as a teacher. I finally started to showcase my work for the 1st time since I lived in LA which has been an amazing experience. I love being on stage. I’m choreographing for artists and their shows. Which is one of my ultimate goals. I can see my dreams becoming reality. I feel really blessed and I know this is only the beginning. I’m just going to continue to work hard and have fun.
In my photography I have been learning much more about developing my business. I have my website up where you can find my portfolio www.fotosinmarz.com. I take clients for editing and photographing. I have been learning a lot more about photography and the variety of forms it has to offer. I have been experimenting with movement, lighting, and photographing.
I started as a film photographer; it’s been a while, so I familiarized myself with it. Film is a very different experience you must trust the knowledge that you have and the decision that you just made. It’s been exciting. I have also been into photography landscapes and architecture. I have found a new appreciation for Los Angeles.
Environmentally the world is in a crisis. So, I think to myself I must do something whether I want to or not. Good thing I want to. I started my company Plant- it Marz you can find more information on www.plant-it-marz.com
Environmentally we must all make a quick shift to making everything sustainable while we still have the chance. I decided that I’m going to do that with things I’m already interested in. Starting with ecofriendly, recyclable, re-useable items. In this site you will see items that you can buy that encourage climate progress. From bookmarks, key chains, stickers, books, clothes, & pots for plants.
I think we are more dependent on the environment than we are willing to admit or even realize. I want to introduce and help people experience coexisting with the environment. We ourselves must start setting the tone for the change we want to see and that we need.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities, skills, or area of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey is my ability to recover, learn, and continue in a better and smarter way. Trusting myself, my spirit, and work ethic. Mutual love and appreciation for my friends, family, and the environment.
For folks who are early in their journey I would say take care of your mental and emotional health, It is important that you learn and develop the tools that you are going to need to help yourself. Make sure that you have friends that support you and make sure you support them just as much. Don’t be afraid to fail you can always get back up. It’s okay to succeed, do well, and compliment yourself. Neither success nor failure can nor will identify who you are. You don’t have to have the answers to everything. Have a lot of fun, time moves forward.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I am looking to collaborate with other artist and environmentalist. Creative people with skills who know how to tell stories. Dancers, choreographers, freestylers, photographers, videographers, editors, environmentalist. People who are concerned about the well being of the environment. Creating ways to adapt and coexist with the environment we live in, in a peaceful and productive way.
If you are looking to find out more information or contact me visit my website. www.marimaria.online or you can directly message me on social media.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.marimaria.online & www.fotosinmarz.com & www.plant-it-marz.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/22marimaria/ & https://www.instagram.com/fotos_marz_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/omarisbittersweet/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omaris-del-rosario-a2861221b/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf9j_JjlpPyuC8xwRdtk7_A
Image Credits
1. Photographer: Mike Quain 2. Photographer: Spencer Lee 3. Logo: Plant- It Marz
