Inspire Orgullo: This is Where My Orgullo Comes From

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I want to share with you why I am Orgullosa and where my orgullo comes from, excuse me while I wax poetic in the hopes that it will #InspireOrgullo in others…

My orgullo comes from flour tortillas made with love by my tía, from bowls of steaming hot sopa served and consumed with delight when it’s hot enough to fry an egg outside, and from craving sweet and spicy tamarindo candy when everyone else wants vanilla ice cream.

My orgullo comes from the casa that is your casa, and always full of family, food and room for more visita.

My orgullo comes from the soil of a nation built by proud, hard-working immigrants and my roots reach across a border that sometimes feels unnatural. But fortunately, I am as free to cross as the wind.

My orgullo comes from tamales at Christmas and carcajadas all year long; from so many apellidos and extended family and even familia that isn’t really familia (but feels like it) that only the heart can keep track of it all.

My orgullo comes from the ganas and determination of gente that will not give up.

From sana, sana colita de rana, si no sana hoy sanará mañana.

My orgullo comes from prayers, ofrendas, cross your fingers and ojalá.

My orgullo comes from California by way of Mexicali. From being raised on hamburguesas and laughing when my Mexican mamá told me she thought she was being fed a donkey the first time someone en los Estados Unidos offered her a burrito.

From the abuelo who lost a card game he played with the devil on a long bus ride, and the abuela who married when she was so young I can’t believe it. From the mother whose beauty and allure is the stuff that legends are made of.

My orgullo comes from here and there, from memories made and yet to be made, from anyplace where someone I love is or will ever be, from nowhere you can pinpoint on a map because my orgullo knows no bounds.

And that, my friends, is why I am Orgullosa.

I encourage you to keep contemplating the concept of being Orgullosa by watching these videos featuring incredibly inspiring Latinas sharing what being Orgullosa means to them.

Be a part of the Orgullosa conversation and community via:
Orgullosa Website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

How do you #InspireOrgullo?

*This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Orgullosa and Latina Bloggers Connect. The opinions and text are all mine.