We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Christa Zúñiga a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Christa, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
It all began with me going to therapy. After loosing my mother to cancer and being in an abusive relationship for 3 years I realized I was depressed and overwhelmed by all of the emotions that grieving and divorce come with. With the help of my psychologist I began a healing journey that started by knowing who I was and what I was responsible for. I learned how to recognize my emotions, how to deal with them but mostly how to express them. Within months I discovered I had a hidden talent: writing. I began to express myself thru poetry and before I knew I had publish my first book: Spring equinox.
I had always had this urge to help people and it was thru poetry that I am now able to do so. After sharing my poems I noticed that not only was I healing, others were too. Being vulnerable and honest about my emotions helped me find my purpose: help others heal.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
For the past 5 years I have been living a more meaningful life. I work as the Department Manager of Project Managers at Barbier International, a language service provider, and in my free time I focus on writing and sharing how I deal with different life situations.
I have been invited to different events where I get to present my poems. When presenting I not only read my poems, but I also dramatize them. Doing so allows me to intensify the emotions of the poem and make people feel them too. It is so gratifying to hear how my poems help people connect with hidden emotions and how they allow them to express themself. On one of my presentations a women approached me and said: “I am American and I barely speak Spanish, so I was not able to understand all of the words you said, but I could feel you heart. Thank you for making me feel”. That was one of the best compliments I have ever received. I cherish that moment because it gave meaning to my work.
As I write this, the second edition of Spring equinox is being printed. It is mainly in Spanish, but I have included 2 of my poems that have been translated into English. It will be sold in Guatemala and available as an E-book on Amazon. I have plans for selling it in other countries in a near future.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Vulnerability, self compassion and empathy.
These are three qualities that most of the people are afraid of having, however, they are the key if what you are looking for is to connect with others. It is not easy, but as they say: “you get what you give”. The key to having these qualities is to make sure you are true to yourself first and then you can be true to others… eventually they will open and share personal thing with you.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
I am always thinking about what comes next that sometimes I forget about enjoying or living the moment.
Publishing the second edition of your book is something to be proud of and happy about, and I am, but it also comes with a void. Unsure about where this void came from I shared a story on my Instagram account asking why with lots of joy also comes a void. I received different answers that helped me calm my mind, my heart and understand the situation. Having a community I can give to but also receive from is what is helping me overcome the different and unexpected emotions I am experiencing right now.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lachicadelasestaciones/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaChicaDeLasEstaciones/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
