A piñata with personality

While Piñata Possible made its official online debut this month, it’s an idea and a dream that has been many years in the making within my heart. A key source of inspiration can be found in the official mascot and namesake–the (donkey) piñata.

Why the piñata?

I believe that human beings hold infinite goodness and potential within themselves, which is waiting to break through to be shared with the world. Such breakthroughs are possible when we allow ourselves to explore our cracks and open up to live more fully expressed as who we truly are.

Such openings can be tender. Sometimes, we feel challenged and wounded as a result of our environment and experiences. We might feel pressure to hide the cracks or to patch them up in an effort to hold ourselves together. If, however, we explore these openings, we can turn our breakdowns into breakthroughs and transcend the limitations of any previous constraints we once faced. We shed our old form and find freedom in having what was once hidden inside now fully shared and celebrated out in the world.

The piñata’s legacy

I identify as Latina, and throughout my life, the piñata has been present at many family gatherings, bringing with it laughter, play, and sweet treats to enjoy. When I researched the origins and history of the piñata, I also learned about its connections to Aztec and Chinese traditions as well as its use as a tool for colonization and evangelization of Indigenous populations throughout the Americas. I see so much value in acknowledging the complex past of the piñata, recognizing the important lessons that come from it, and reclaiming the piñata as a symbol in service of the well-being and full self-expression of individuals, communities, and the legacies we choose to create.

Why the donkey?

I believe donkeys are incredibly hard-working, often bearing heavy burdens, yet they stay steady and persistent in spite of what they carry. Donkeys are resilient, their voices will certainly get your attention, and they have a long legacy of helping humans get from one place to another. If you’re going to go on a bold journey, a donkey is a loyal and trusted partner who will shoulder that journey alongside you.