Okay, so literally, it doesn't mean that; "si se puede" means "you can do it" or more literally, "it can be done." But, just watch any game of futbol (or as we prefer to call it in the USA, soccer) involving Mexico or other Latin American country, particularly any World Cup games, and you are bound to hear "si se puede" being chanted by the fans from the stands.
And there you go, for those of you with limited exposure to the world of Latinos and futbol, I just gave you a mini-cultural glimpse. For the full picture, you gotta find some good amigos to invite you over for some real futbol fun at their casa!
But as much as my familia would love that I'm mentioning futbol here, I'm technically not blogging about futbol itself. Instead, I want to explain the value of this cultural phrase, "si se puede," and how this seemingly unimportant concept, has meant so much during my law school journey.
Si se puede as a concept involves believing that no matter how bad the situation is, you can do it. You gotta keep going. You cannot (or should not) give up. It does not mean you have it all put together and that your abilities alone will get you to the goal (no futbol pun intended) -- it means you must keep believing, working hard, and my personal application is that you must trust that God will help you reach or achieve that which at the moment seems near impossible.
Si se puede. It was what I reminded myself during all the difficult transitions I faced that first year of law school. When I missed my familia. When I missed my amigas. When I missed my life in sunny California. When I missed my church. When I missed all the good, authentic Mexican food I so easily took for granted living on the west coast. When I missed going shopping, just for fun, knowing I had just deposited a paycheck into my bank account.
And guess what? Almost 3 years later, I still miss it all! But, si se puede.
For all those moments of homesickness, of longing to be done, of feeling like quitting, and everything else that made life on the east coast difficult, it was knowing that my familia and amigos were fully supporting me, praying for me, and always there for me, that kept me thinking, si se puede.
Moreover, in the moments of doubt or frustration or overwhelming stress, I was strengthened in remembering Philippians 4:13, which also embodies precisely this "si se puede" message:
As my amazing abuelita (grandma) taught me every since I was a little girl: "todo lo puedo en Cristo que me fortalece." ("I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.")
Little did I know then, that I would need to remember it, and believe it wholeheartedly, my entire life!
This last year of law school, is overflowing with many "si se puede" moments. I am less than 6 months and only 11 credits away from finishing law school. And less than a month away from final exams for this semester. But amidst long days and nights, and tying up all the loose ends, it is wise to remember that it is not in my strength that I can finish this stage of life.
Toda mi fuerza viene solo de El. All my strength derives from Him alone.
Which means, that now, more than ever, I remember, si se puede. After crazy amounts of reading, memorizing, writing, researching, and all the other constant demands of law school, I see God's hand in my life, strengthening me to not give up.
And with God's help, I am so close to almost finishing law school. Si se puede!
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