I think in English, but I feel in Spanish. Where the two meet is the source of who I am.
I was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico on October 28th, 1971. Spanish was my first language; it was the language of home. English was the language of the outside world. Though by the time I entered elementary school I also spoke English, it was clear to me that I had to survive in two realities and language was the mechanism by which they both operated. It was a good lesson to learn. My life and my career have always been a balancing act between seemingly disparate realities: Language has always been my survival tool.
I hold a Master’s in Education, am a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor (NM #0128871), and licensed Continuing Education Provider (NM #0139471). I have made it my life’s mission to teach others how to heal.
When I was twelve, I discovered that writing provided a means by which I could utilize language to merge my thoughts and feelings in the most expressive manner. I fell in love with literature in High School. Soon, I wrote and self-published my first novella, Under the Same Sky.
Five years later, my first novel, Butterfly Warrior (Western Edge Press, 2006), was released. Since then, my work has appeared in a number of journals, most notably in Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul.
In November of 2013, I released my own story of overcoming Depression: Journey to Aztlan.
Too often, people either forget or never knew the power of their own respective stories. I believe with all that I am that people need to learn to step back and look at their strength in simply surviving. My hope for my work is that we all learn to see that our own lives are the source of the strength needed to rise up against the waves of oppression we tend to cause for ourselves. I call this source “Aztlan,” after the mythical homeland of the Chicano people.
In my opinion, people want healthy lives, they just sometimes don’t know how to achieve that health, especially if they suffer from Depression, Anxiety, and/or Addiction. I believe that it is my mission to teach people that they can have a healthy life.
Hi there Juan!
I just wanted to say how great you were today at the keynote at NMHU. Your book sounds amazing, and I really enjoyed the reading. My husband and I didn’t get to say goodbye to you (we were the ones who drove you and Jimmy over to the keynote) and I just wanted to say you were great!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hiya Juan! I came across your WP blog when I googled “90 Days to Your Novel”. I’m wondering 2 things of you: 1) are you o.k.? You ended your latest entry on day 5, I was simp!y concerned; 2) I, too, am working on my novel, using Sarah’s book. I’m having many days ups & downs!! All the best to you, & your writing!
LikeLike
Hi Juan, I admire your “life’s mission to teach others how to heal.” So many people are hurting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree — suffering is all too common. But, thanks to people like you who engage that suffering and fight the good fight, we MAKE A DIFFERENCE!. So, THANK YOU!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Juan,
Have you read The Pastoral Clinic by Angela Garcia about the heroin epidemic in the Espanola Valley. A must read. She is from Velarde, now a Stanford anthropologist.
Has a lot of solutions if only NM would listen. Please see my website.
Thanks.
Ellen
LikeLiked by 1 person
I absolutely STUDIED that book, though I did start by reading “The Elegiac Addict.” I’m using a lot of her work in my presentation about historical trauma in Northern New Mexico. Talk about resonance….THANK YOU!!
LikeLike
Thank you for choosing to following my website. This lead me on over to visit yours and you have such an excellent space unfolding. Thank you and I look forward to following your journey.
LikeLike
Hi friend…..just want to congratulate you on creating an amazing blog. It’s awesome.
LikeLike
thank you very much. i really appreciate your supportive and encouraging words!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So hello there stranger! It’s your cuzn from California… Great job on the blog. Send my love to your mom & dad for me.
LikeLike
Can you email me at jblea1016@hotmail.com? Need to ask something about Jimmy
LikeLike
Awsome blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad I took the time to read this. I just wanted to thank you, I believe that we can all use all the help we can get. I will be reading your blog!
LikeLike
And I’ll be checking out your books now as well!
LikeLike
I appreciate your reading of the blog…i’ll be checking your blog out as well….love and light to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll take all the help I can get!
LikeLike