Get Inspired with #HispaFam - November 2025 Newsletter
“Gratitude frees us from the burdens that weigh us down, clears away negativity, and places us in a space of greater clarity, connection, and impact — both with ourselves and with those around us., grounded, and authentic place.”
-Dra. Nidia Medina, CEO, Hispanic Family Counseling, Inc.
Reflection November 2025
Hello, from my desk once again...
Today, I invite you to reflect with me on a simple yet profound word — a word that sustains, illuminates, and gives meaning to life: gratitude.
Gratitude, at its core, is the quality of being thankful — a feeling of appreciation for what we receive, whether big or small, visible or subtle. When we choose to be grateful, we don’t just transform ourselves from within — we also transform our surroundings.
Gratitude frees us from the burdens that weigh us down, clears away negativity, and places us in a space of greater clarity, connection, and impact — both with ourselves and with those around us.
It invites us to enjoy the simple things, to marvel at the everyday, and to open our hearts — strengthening both our self-love and the bonds we build along the way.
That’s why practicing gratitude is so valuable. I invite you to take this season as an opportunity to give thanks each day. You can keep a gratitude journal, express appreciation to those around you, or practice mindfulness: breathe, stay present, observe what surrounds you, appreciate it, and give thanks for it just as it is.
Science has already shown several benefits of cultivating gratitude:
Reduction of stress
Improved sleep quality
Increased self-esteem
Greater resilience
Below are a few inspiring quotes to deepen this reflection. Which one resonates most with you? How could you apply it to your life?
• “Gratitude, like certain flowers, does not grow in the heights — it flourishes best in the good soil of the humble.” – José Martí
• “Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.” – Henry Ward Beecher
• “What separates privilege from entitlement is gratitude.” – Brené Brown
• “Gratitude is the art of painting an adversity into a lovely picture.” – Kak Sri
• “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” – Melody Beattie
• “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more; denial into acceptance; chaos into order; confusion into clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” – Melody Beattie
Let us remember: gratitude does not change what we experience — but it changes how we experience it. May we recognize the good, even in the midst of challenges, and allow that grateful perspective to strengthen and accompany us every step of the way.
-Dra. Nidia Medina, CEO, Hispanic Family Counseling, Inc.
#HispaFam at the Autism Speaks 5K!
This weekend, our interns Ida Nogueras, Jency Ciriaco, and Karina Pelullera proudly represented the #HispaFam family at the Autism Speaks 5K, walking with purpose to support and raise awareness for the autism community.
Thank you for lifting our mission high and exemplifying service, commitment, and community care.
#AutismSpeaks #5K #AutismAwareness #HispaFamEnAcción #UnidosPorElAutismo #LatinosEnComunidad
Lead, Mentor, Empower
Our Founder and President had the honor of presenting at the Ana G. Méndez University Field Supervisor Meeting on the topic “Lead, Mentor, Empower: Cultivating Future Social Work Leaders.”
We also joined in celebrating the university’s recent accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education — a milestone that strengthens our shared commitment to excellence in social work education and leadership.
#HispaFam #AGMU #Liderazgo #Mentoría #Empoderamiento #FuturosLíderes
Celebrating 10 Years of Commitment and Service!
Today, we proudly recognize Angela Ayala and Ivelisse Aldea, who are celebrating their 10th anniversary as part of our family at Hispanic Family Counseling.
Thank you for a decade of dedication, empathy, and professionalism in serving our communities. Your passion and commitment are an inspiration to us all.
Congratulations, Angela and Ivelisse , on these 10 years of impact and growth!
HispaFam Walks with Purpose: Honoring Strength, Hope & Survivors
As a family and team, we came together once again to support the fight against breast cancer and celebrate the strength, hope, and resilience of so many warriors and survivors.
This year was especially meaningful as we proudly accompanied our own colleague and survivor, Liza Colón, whose courage and perseverance inspire us every day.
We are grateful to all our employees, family, and friends who joined us in this important cause.
At HispaFam, we believe in walking together through life, supporting each other every step of the way.
#MakingStrides #BreastCancerAwareness #HispaFam #TogetherWeAreStronger #Hope #Community #CaminamosJuntos #ApoyoYEsperanza
HispaFam Night at the Kia Center
We kicked off the NBA season with great enthusiasm and team spirit, enjoying the Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat game together.
The home team took the win, and we celebrated as one!
A perfect evening to connect, relax, and enjoy time together outside of work, sharing the excitement of basketball and the community spirit that defines us.
#HispaFam #OrlandoMagic #TeamHispaFam #NBATipOff #VamosMagic #KiaCenter
Happy Boss’s Day, Dr. Medina!
Wwe celebrate a leader who guides with vision, excellence, and above all, with heart. Your dedication, integrity, and passion for serving others inspire our entire team to give our best every day.
Thank you for leading us with wisdom, empathy, and purpose — and for reminding us that true leadership is built on teamwork, commitment, and love for what we do.
The entire #HispaFam family is proud to be guided by a leader like you.
If you want to learn more about our work and impact on communities, follow us on our social media platforms.
➡️ Read the new blog post:
The Power of Gratitude: A Path to Emotional Wellness
As the year unfolds, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect on one of the most transformative practices we can nurture — gratitude.
Gratitude is more than saying thank you; it’s a mindset, a daily act of recognizing the good in our lives — even the small, quiet moments we often overlook. It has the power to shift our perspective, lighten our emotional load, and help us reconnect with what truly matters.
Why Gratitude Matters
Scientific studies show that practicing gratitude can:
Reduce stress and anxiety
Improve sleep and focus
Strengthen relationships
Boost emotional resilience and optimism
At Hispanic Family Counseling, we believe gratitude is one of the simplest yet most effective tools for mental and emotional wellness. It connects us with ourselves, our loved ones, and our community in meaningful ways.
Simple Gratitude Exercises You Can Try
1. Keep a Gratitude Journal
Each night, write down three things you’re grateful for — big or small. It could be a kind smile, a walk under the sun, or a personal accomplishment. Over time, this practice helps rewire the brain to notice positivity and abundance.
2. Express Gratitude Through Art
Color, paint, or collage what “gratitude” feels like to you. Art therapy helps release emotions and make the abstract tangible. You don’t need to be an artist — just let colors, textures, or symbols represent your feelings of appreciation.
3. Connect with Nature
Spend a few minutes outdoors — breathe deeply, observe the sky, touch a leaf, listen to the sounds around you. Nature invites us into the present moment and reminds us that even in change, there is beauty and renewal to be thankful for.
4. Gratitude in Action
Turn appreciation into action. Write a short note, send a message, or verbally thank someone who has supported you. Acts of gratitude strengthen social bonds and spread positivity.
5. Mindful Moments of Thanks
Pause during your day — maybe before meals or at bedtime — to silently thank your body, your breath, or your life circumstances for carrying you through. These micro-moments of awareness cultivate inner peace and balance.
✨ Reflection Questions for Gratitude
Take a few quiet moments to reflect or journal about the following:
What is something or someone in your life you are deeply grateful for — and why?
How do you usually express gratitude — through words, actions, or quiet reflection?
What is a challenge you’ve faced recently that taught you something valuable? Can you find gratitude in that lesson?
When was the last time you thanked yourself for something — for your effort, resilience, or growth?
How can you bring more moments of gratitude into your daily routine — even in small ways?
What in nature reminds you to slow down and appreciate life?
Who could you reach out to today to express your appreciation?
You can explore one question each day in your journal or simply pause and reflect on them during a mindful walk or quiet moment.
Gratitude as a Way of Living
Gratitude does not erase challenges, but it transforms how we face them.
It helps us see what’s working, rather than what’s missing — and that shift can make all the difference.
By practicing gratitude daily, we nurture compassion, joy, and connection — essential ingredients for healing and growth.
So today, take a deep breath, look around, and whisper a quiet thank you.
Your heart will feel lighter, and your spirit — stronger.
✨ At Hispanic Family Counseling, we encourage you to explore gratitude as part of your personal wellness journey.
Whether through journaling, art, nature walks, or kind actions, each moment of appreciation brings us closer to emotional balance and inner peace.
By:Sheila Burgos
Juan Carlos Fontanez, B.A.
PSR Facilitator
Juan was born and raised in the town of Ponce, Puerto Rico. He has two bachelor's degrees in business administration from the University of Puerto Rico. Juan has been living in Florida for three years. Juan enjoys sports, traveling, and spending time with his family. He considers himself ethical, professional, and empathetic, and likes to motivate and inspire all young people. He recently joined Hispanic Family Counseling Inc. as a PSR and is very motivated to continue helping all clients who need to develop skills in their lives. Juan is ready to work hard and make positive changes.
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