How can we incorporate sustainable practices into our daily lives in a way that benefits the planet, promotes our well-being, and fosters meaningful connections with others?

¿Cómo podemos incorporar prácticas sostenibles en nuestra vida diaria de manera que beneficie al planeta, promueva nuestro bienestar y fomente conexiones significativas con otros?

The slogan
“Stay Gold”
acts as a powerful reminder to stay true to oneself and seek comfort and inspiration in beauty, and transform pain into resilience

El lema
“Mantente Dorado”
actúa como un poderoso recordatorio para mantenerse fiel a uno mismo, buscar consuelo e inspiración en la belleza de las vivencias, y transformar el dolor en resiliencia

What’s the worst that can happen?

·

October 28, 2023

Photo taken by Daniela Senatore at Central Park, NYC

She flicked the switch, illuminating the room with a soft glow. Gazing into the looking glass, she whispered, “I can do this. I can do this. I CAN DO THIS.” The arduous task of proving herself had drained her energy, leaving her utterly fatigued. Yet, she understood that she must persevere. Movement was her guiding light, the crucial element for traversing the abyss that engulfed her. Its presence initially eluded her notice.

“WAKE UP,” the darkness spoke, its voice no longer an adversary but a conduit for her own thoughts. The darkness existed to help her feel the inner workings of her being, to reveal the person she was evolving into. Was she allowing her past and the fear of an uncertain future to define her? The weight of decision-making burdened her, and the darkness probed further, demanding, “WHAT DO YOU WANT?”

She is me. And so, I embarked on a journey of liberation through writing. I relinquished the shackles that bound me to the fears of criticism and perfectionism. The notion of having all my affairs in order only fueled my doubts, for I realized that I never truly did. I grappled with the fear that my ideas might be deemed unpopular, unconventional, or too distinct. The comfort of conformity had once sufficed, until it no longer did… the persistent notion of normalcy no longer fit. There was no wisdom in evading the person I was becoming. I am a woman who yearns to break free from the confines of neatness and flawlessness. I am untamed.

Within me reside ideas begging to be unleashed, yearnings waiting to be expressed. My purpose lies in exploring and giving voice to them. What is the worst that could happen?

Yessenia J. Rivera

Written and Edited by Yessenia J. Rivera