Something Good For Us

We all know the world is facing mighty challenges at this time, and I’m not going to rehash all of them. Too many to list! I’m sure you’re aware of the horrid and despicable things currently happening in the United States and other countries. I get anxious as soon as I open up a news site.

Today’s blog post is not listing all the deprave things but sharing how I and some of my community are navigating it. I have been away for a bit because I had been actively not reading the news, trying not to immerse myself in the dumpster fires. But then, of course, I talked with my friends and the community I have here in Italy. It was in these conversations that I found a sense of shared experience and support, despite the distance.

I can’t look away from what’s happening across the Atlantic to other friends and immediate family. I can’t ignore it. And it all seems that it’s getting worse and worse every day. So I am not going to say that, “hey, if you are having an awful time right now where you are, go move to another country.”

Because I understand realistically, many folks can’t just leave where they are and move to another state or another country entirely. So, I will not put that on folks to say, hey, leave. Get out of here. Don’t stay. Of course, if you have the means to go and want to leave. Go for it! Find a new home where your morals align with the country you seek.

For those considering a move abroad, there are numerous resources available to assist you. If Italy is your destination, I can recommend a lovely friend, Thea Duncan, https://www.doingitaly.com/movetoitalycourse, who resides in Milan and aids individuals in their transition to Italy through her course and one-on-one support. And she’s fabulous.

So it’s definitely a moment in time when I honestly feel that crisis, chaos, and implosion are all happening at once. Whereas I didn’t have this feeling ten or 15 years ago.

I have felt this during 9/11.

The country rebuilt itself, New York rebuilt itself, and we could move forward.

Notwithstanding, I disagreed with what some of our leaders were doing in their missions at the time. But okay, we got past that.

Now, it’s time for those with the energy to fight and spread awareness. Spread the word, too. Fight the system and can do it. I applaud those who can and are actively trying to make change happen. It’s a testament to our resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

We’re on a long road with this new administration. Who knows where we’ll be at the end of 2025?

Creative Outlets

I’m actively doing creative things. In the small scheme of things, although not hugely impactful around the world, they can be impactful to one person or two people. I’m learning photography, drawing sketches, baking new recipes, and sharing creative activities my friends are doing locally. You never know what can resonate with one person.

I realize that job security is fleeting, and being a person who is an entrepreneur and a previous 9 to 5 worker. Job security is ephemeral. I’m actively taking steps to create my own. Work. And that has been launching a new catering company with my husband. He currently has a home restaurant, and we have officially launched a catering company here in Treviso, which I’m very excited about. Horti Catering is here. 🙂

Going on this road has been gratifying, as my other profession is video editing. It’s been on an uneven keel. So, having multiple income streams is more sacred now than ever, especially with the masses trying to find work remotely, who have lost their positions, and trying to pivot and shift into a new industry and new work to reinvent themselves.

Pivoting towards the entrepreneurial journey comes with challenges, but I am fortunate to be surrounded by a circle of friends, some of whom are entrepreneurs. Their wisdom and guidance have been invaluable, and I am deeply grateful for their support.

Carnevale Festivities

And attempting to enjoy the things that are happening in real-time. One of those things is carnival season here in Italy. And just like Halloween, where you get to dress up in costume carnival, you get to dress up in your favorite costumes or go full on the nation where; this weekend, I’ll be getting to check out a Venetian Carnival party, which I will share more after I come back from that.

I did get to go on a little family trip to Viareggio, where they have a beautiful carnival parade with massive floats that are 4 or 5 stories tall—just huge. And it was so fun to be able to do that as a family and also meet up with some friends of ours in Pistoia.

Carnevale happens all around Italy and, of course, all over the world.

There’s Mardi Gras in New Orleans, carnival in Brazil, and a whole host of other places. So, that’s super exciting to have been able to do. \

And how I’m celebrating Black History Month this year.

I am paying homage to my grandmother, who made her way across the ocean from Guyana to the United States, immigrated, built a life, brought my mom and uncle, and was able to provide them with opportunities they might not have had access to in Guyana.

Being from a family of immigrants, we have so much resilience and perseverance. Maybe they’re in tandem, the same thing. But. This. It gives you something that you may not necessarily feel like someone who’s never moved to another country and had to start from scratch, starting from zero. Build something and thrive. So, I pay homage to my grandmother, Eileen Croal, who passed away last year.

We are all going through it right now collectively.

You are doing what you can, which is the best you can do. And no one can tell you otherwise.

Protect yourself. Protect your energy, and that’s what’s really important for you forever. That’s what’s really important to me. So protect your energy and don’t share it only with those who are deserving. All right, folks. Have an intentionally rested and peaceful day.