We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Karen Lopez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Karen below.
Karen , looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
Being a child of immigrants naturally comes with the automatic expectation and sense of responsibility to make your parents proud by working hard and “making something of yourself”. I can imagine many first generations like me can relate to the weight filial piety holds in our psyche. Yet, the value of hard work many times is interwoven in our cultures. This at least is my story.
My father and mother migrated from El Salvador in the late 70’s and early 80’s due to what I call The Uncivil War. My father had been discharged from decades of military service. He was one of the children who were drafted into war and he was conditioned to be proud of it. It was grand part of his identity and he embraced the discipline he earned from his dedication to the Cuartel.
Violence, poverty, and scarcity was a way of life for Salvadorans for many decades. Coming from Latin America as undocumented immigrants meant they had to toil intensively to navigate the language, cultural, and socioeconomic barriers in order to make ends meet and to assimilate to the American way as much as they had to survive.
In truth, I believe hearing their stories of sacrifice and hard work unconsciously conditioned me to follow in their footsteps. There are nuances regarding stigma and a sensation of inferiority to other American born with more privileges. I know I had to work harder- I just knew “things would not come easy for me” even if my parents worked hard to provide for my siblings and I. We had the basics and I was grateful, and yet, I needed to extend myself to quantum leap into a more comfortable and stable lifestyle.
I value hard work and have also learned to explore how limiting beliefs of scarcity mindset from generational traumas have impacted my inner motivation to work intensively. I realize now that I do not seek value from my work ethic, however, I look to view work from a heart centered space. This is why I chose the field of Art and Therapy. Service to others through the creative Arts is a more organic and abundant space of service to others.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I pursued my undergraduate degree in Visual Communications and Humanities with an Emphasis in American Indian Studies followed by my Masters in Psychology with an Emphasis in Art Therapy (LMFT).
Between psychotherapy clients, 1:1 mentorships, and Art projects the deep intention is to support the collective in embodying all aspects of the self through radical acceptance, non-judgement, and freedom of expression through tapping into the natural world for healing, artistic expression and true connection to Spirit. I help individuals who feel stuck and unfulfilled in their lives and are at a crossroads. I support them in truly transitioning into a more authentic way of being.
I enjoy Art Visualization and Creation as a tool to help connect with the psyche and bring unconscious processes into conscious awareness. It is life giving for me to engage all the senses and guide others through magical spaces with guided imagery.
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?
As I look back, the three essential items that have impacted me the most in my journey is courage, tenacity, and keeping my childlike spirit alive through the years.
I continually learn that it is not about being fearless, but it is about boldly choosing to live life fully and truthfully even in moments of insecurity and imposter syndrome. When I live from that place I realize that I get to live from a place of playful innocence. I am always learning and growing and that is an empowering thing. Why? because I am not a slave to my ego but a dancer in this beautiful dance. It is all play.
If this moment permits I would like to say: simply, be true to yourself. Tap into your body to inform you if something is in alignment with you and do not force anything that feels inauthentic. It is never worth it to water yourself down to fit in because your sauce is perfectly yours for a reason.
Someone, somewhere in the world needs your medicine- therefore hiding does no one a service. It is more selfish to hold back than to choose to shine. So do the thing. This is why you are here breathing and reading my article today.
You are truly special and a gift to this world. I pray you receive this words from a deep place in your heart.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was to be independent thinkers. I admire their creative problem solving skills, their capacity for critical thinking and their ability to impart these qualities to their offspring. My parentals are hearty, strong, and have a solid sense of humor. These aspects have supported me through my journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.atenakeartbykarenjenifer.com
- Instagram: @atenake_art
- Other: Tik Tok @atenake_art
