Meet Zehila Lopez Juarez

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Zehila Lopez Juarez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Zehila, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

I have always believed that art is everywhere. From the smallest ant to the biggest tree. Humans are art, nature and feelings too. I create worlds and I tell stories through my poetry. I keep my creativity alive because I’m alive in this world that is beautiful but not perfect. I live everyday of my life, as if it were the last, and I create crazy things with poetry and art. I have a lot of imagination and that makes everything easier. I get to dream like every human on this earth. I hear stories and I write based on what I think people need to hear or what I feel. I don’t let anything stop me because I know I can create anything. I write poetry most of the time or I make art with random materials that I have. I’m not the best but I like to keep that creativity.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I was born in Piedras Negras Coahuila, México. I moved to the United States when I was 12 years old. It was hard to learn a new language and start from zero in a new place with a different culture. I had to adapt at that age, and that made me mature from a young age. My thinking was different and I knew that it was a big change for me and my family. Five years have passed, and I just graduated from Central High School. It was a big accomplishment for me. Central was a home for me, I will always be a Bobcat. I love the teachers, students, friends, and all the staff members. I got the JD Lambert Award and that made me so happy. When I was 12 I didn’t know that I was going to accomplish big things and that I was going to meet wonderful people. This year on the 25th of December, It will be now 6 years living in the United States, and It’s crazy because I feel like time has been passing by really fast. I grew as a person, and I became better, I overcame a lot of obstacles, like the language and the stress and frustration of the things that my family needed when we first got here.

I love to write poetry and I’m working on publishing my book. I have a lot of poems that are ready to be read. Shared and help people, poetry for me is life. I read poetry, I hear poetry, I write poetry. I also do Photography, I’m starting to do it for people that are not my family, and I love it. So if you’re looking for someone to take portraits or for events please feel free to contact me. Only if you want to support me, I will really appreciate it.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I will say the first thing is for people who are English Learners, or a person who is learning a language doesn’t matter which one. For me it was English, it made a big impact in my life, I was an English Learner. I was 12 years old and the only thing I knew how to say was yes. It was definitely a journey that was hard. I remember a little me going to school, scared because I didn’t know how to communicate. Most of the time I had to depend on someone else to help me, and that made me feel like I was useless. It was hard because I wanted to do things by myself, I wanted to be me, a funny person who smiled all the time. Telling jokes and helping people, but I couldn’t do that. I was shy and scared, not knowing what people were saying. Going to my classes and not having an idea of what the teachers were saying. I didn’t want to be disrespectful but I didn’t know anything. My advice is to not give up because I know it’s hard, and it doesn’t matter how old you are. When you are learning a language it’s hard, and you might get to a point were you don’t want to continue. You get tired but believe me when I tell you that if you continue, and you already started. If you’re trying your best, that’s enough. Take a step at a time. Believe in yourself and the things you can accomplish. You put the limits, keep going and never give up. I had the honor of helping during my last semester in Central High School a class of English Learners. They are the most wonderful, amazing people ever. I love them and I’m so proud of each one of them. I got to meet some who worked really hard and also went to school, I remember one who told me “I get off from school and I work until 4 A.M, then I go to sleep and I wake up to go to school” Most of them had jobs and were really mature. They are the most valiant and amazing people I have ever met because they still go to school and try to learn something that is not in their native language.

The second advice is for people who move to another place or out of their country. I moved from Piedras Negras Coahuila, México to Knoxville, TN. It was a big change for sure, the food and the culture. It was hard because I was born in Piedras Negras Coahuila. I had family there and friends, people who I loved. I believe that things happen for a reason, and that God has a plan for each one of us. Sometimes things like moving have to happen in order for us to grow and accomplish many things, and maybe you’re scared because you are looking for a job or concern about other things. I know it’s hard but it’s a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and share your light with others. I go to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the missionaries of my church leave 2 years or 1 and half to share the gospel around the world. They leave their families because they love God. Sometimes we need to stop and analyze that even if it’s hard God has a plan for us. The missionaries of my church, are wonderful people who know that God has a plan for them. Sometimes a change is what you need but you can’t see.

The third advice is for people who are creative and have dreams. It’s never too late to do what your heart desires, never it’s too late to learn how to cook, take pictures, swim with sharks, make a change, confess your love for someone. I have learned that you put your limits, and your mindset is an important thing. It can change how you see life, never say I’m too old to accomplish this, or I’m too young, I will do it in the future. Stop and do it because if you really want to do it you will find a way to make it happen. My advice is just to stop putting limits on yourself, continue being creative. I have always believed that people can make art even if they are not artists, They can write even if they are not professional writers. Be creative, and make your dreams possible, try and fight for what your heart desires.

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 will love to collaborate with other writers, poets, etc. I want to learn more and meet new people who like similar things. I love to talk and write, I love photography too, I will love to meet photographers and see if they can give me advice or share their experiences. They can contact me on my Email or Instagram that I will be giving here.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Graduation Photography (Only me)
Credits: John Valentine Photography

Multiple people making tacos Photography
Credits: John Valentine Photography

Black and White Portrait
Credits: Zehila Lopez Juarez Photography

Cover Photography
Credits: Jetzabe Lopez

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