Virgilio Marin-Valderrabano

Eating a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables is a simple way to boost our personal health and support a more resilient food system. I will prepare and enjoy 2 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

Regular health check-ups help prevent problems before they start. I will schedule or attend a medical, dental, or mental health check-up to take care of my well-being.

Eating is wonderful, but consuming excessive amounts of fast food or junk food can be a very bad idea for your body; regardless of the risk of obesity, this triggers serious health problems that are, at times, irreversible. It is important to consume the foods we enjoy; however, for example, if I like pizza, I shouldn't eat an entire family-sized pizza all by myself, but rather limit myself to two slices. Furthermore, it is essential to maintain a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and water, as well as to avoid soft drinks.

When you dance or learn choreography, you are not merely learning dance steps; your mind becomes active, as you must coordinate your movements. Furthermore—regardless of your age—both your blood circulation and cardiovascular activity increase significantly. The benefit of dancing lies in the fact that it helps delay the onset of conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer's in later life; above all, it contributes to preserving a person's independence, enabling you—even at the age of 100—to remain self-sufficient, walk, and carry out your daily activities without the need for assistance.

Arriving in a country where you cannot speak, write, or read the language is extremely difficult; moreover, the culture is completely different. For instance, in Mexico, we greet women with a handshake and a kiss on the cheek; with men, we shake hands, and it is customary to offer a hug whenever meeting someone new—even children. Here, however, people do not touch one another when meeting; they greet each other from a distance or simply say "hello." It took me years to break that habit. Likewise, among friends—particularly during our elementary, middle, and high school years—it is normal to playfully shove one another, hug, and roughhouse. While the intention is not to engage in inappropriate physical contact, here in the United States, teachers often interpret such behavior as violence and disrespect. There are millions of examples like this. It proves to be a challenge to have spent 26 years living in a country where such customs are considered normal, only to arrive here—where I am about to complete my twenty-fourth year—and find myself still trying to understand and assimilate into American culture.

Small acts of kindness and gratitude can brighten someone's day and create a positive ripple effect. I will express gratitude to 5 people or perform 5 random acts of kindness to spread joy and connection.