Today we’d like to introduce you to Luz Pinilla.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I owe a tremendous debt to my parents for setting me on the path to where I am today. Not only did they hand me the gift of opportunity by immigrating to America before I was born, but as I grew up they exemplified the meaning of determination, perseverance, and gratitude. Above everything else, my mother’s impeccable grammar and spelling and my father’s passion for storytelling awakened in me a love of words and language from a very early age.
In school, I had the honor of being guided by dedicated, creative, and compassionate educators who encouraged me to explore and grow in my craft while challenging me to meet and surpass their expectations. Their influence on me was so great that it led me to eventually step into their shoes and become an educator myself.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome? What advice would you give to anyone starting out?
Shoot, if life were smooth sailing all the way, it would also be extremely boring. Thank goodness for the bumpy parts! My advice for anyone facing an unexpected hurdle is to create your own unique path to the other side. Go over, under, around or through — just keep moving forward! Remember that life is a team sport. Observe, ask questions, and seek advice from others who are where you want to be. If you’re lucky enough to have a trusted friend who cares about you unconditionally, then don’t hesitate to lean on him or her for support. Sometimes, just knowing that person is there for you can give you the confidence to face your problems head-on. Finally, diversify your interests. Think of all the things you love to do and then go do them! Try new things, too. Step out of your comfort zone and don’t be afraid to take risks. When you’re busy making the most of every day, you don’t have time to dwell on the negativity.
What should we know about your business? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My number one passion in life is writing. Whether I’m pouring out thoughts on my personal blog or coming up with new ways for my beloved fictional characters to suffer, I absolutely adore the art and craft of joining words together into rich, multi-faceted tapestries. I love integrating my voice and style into a piece, even sneaking in some personal themes such as forgiveness and self-reliance.
What most sets my work apart, I believe, is my outlook on people. I have always been fascinated by the human mind-not just what’s on the surface, but all the juicy stuff underneath. This fascination, along with my experience of having worked with so many children over the years, helps me view people a little differently than others might. I like to look for the child inside the people I meet, meaning that I try to consider the causes of someone’s behaviors instead of just assuming the worst (or the best). People are very complex, and I think we sometimes lose sight of that. In my writing, I try to guide my readers to see people and situations from a different perspective than they may have first considered. Hopefully, that will translate into the real world.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
Most definitely. For better or worse, my childhood experiences provided the foundation for who I am today. The challenges I faced as a child taught me to fend for myself right from the start. I was a first-generation American, a Hispanic female, an only child. At five years old, I began attending an almost all-white school and didn’t speak the language. At six years old, my father began to sexually abuse me. At eleven years old, I watched my mother turn a blind eye to the abuse, and it continued for another six years.
I could have grown up angry, depressed, violent, broken. But I didn’t. Instead, I turned to art, academics, sports, music, and friends. I latched on to everything that was good and beautiful in my life and I held on tight. Back then, it was about survival. Today, it’s how I live. I’m successful in life because I’ve learned to enjoy it. I value happiness and laughter and tranquility, and I’m willing to fight for those values because I know their worth.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.luzpinilla.com
- Email: luz@luzpinilla.com
- Instagram: luzpinillawords
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/luzpinillawords
- Twitter: luzpinillawords
- Other: http://www.acentosreview.com/May2017/luz-pinilla.html
Image Credit:
Luz Pinilla
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