What’s Important Now

Dear bloggers,  it’s been about one week since New York City has been slowly shutting down due to the Corona-virus. No matter what state you live in, today, I want to encourage you to remember this too shall pass. I invite you to think about the word WIN, What’s Important Now. Right where you are, think about what’s important now. Since this lock down has been set in place, people have been in a hurry to get back to “ normal” .  I hear people talk about feelings of fear, panic, chaos, depression, anger and confusion considering the circumstances these are all legitimate emotions. 

 

Question, how are you fueling these emotions? Are you a news hoarder?  It’s okay to check in for an update, but it is your Television, Cell phone, I pad, and Radio on 24 hours, so that your mind  is being bombarded with News. Yes, the fear about money, bills, rent, mortgage, car payments and so on are real. How is worry and panic going to solve your troubles? Try to avoid adding more stress and tension in your home during this period of being shut in. 

 

I suggest you try to focus on What’s Important Now. 

 

Focus on remaining as calm as you can. It’s important to maintain structure, make plans for how you’re going to spend the days, weeks maybe months. It’s okay to go out as a family for walks, exercise is important to maintain strength, eat well, avoid loading up on junk foods. Keep a regular sleep schedule. Use this time for self reflection individually and as a family. Maybe now is the time to create a new future for your family, or are you willing to go back to life as you call “ normal” . This crisis will change us as people and as a nation.  Are you going to come out of this crisis with a greater appreciation for family, God, your house of worship, place of employment, health, and home. Or better awareness about What’s Important Now? Will your bond with the people who matter most  be stronger? 

 

 I am thankful that I have a roommate and I am not alone. I am thankful to be able to work from home, and earn a paycheck.  I am thankful for my live Facebook chats to share words of empowerment. I am grateful I can talk to a community of bloggers. I have my life, my health, my family and friends are protected. This is What’s Important Now. 

 

My thoughts and prayers, are with the world.

 

All is fair in Love and Rent

Dear readers,

Do you remember this, Hi I’m Robin Leach, and this is the life style of the rich and famous? The 80’s TV Series that show cased the opulence of the wealthy. I was young and captivated by the designer clothes and the bling.

Then I grow up, worked my way through college while struggling to keep a roof over my head. I consider myself to be lucky to have found affordable housing in a decent neighborhood. This bring me to my point, recently in New York City there is a boom of erecting Luxury buildings, taking place throughout the five boroughs. Some people are calling this re-gentrification by the middle class or the work of a conglomerate of secret rich investors, pushing lower- income people out. With each Mayoral election, the promise is made to create jobs, and to build more affordable housing. But, when these promise makers are voted into office, the only progress that is made is for the well to do.

Schools are closed in so called poor performing districts only to be rebuilt into private schools. Mom and Pop shops are forced out replaced with pricier gourmet food stores, and cafes that sell $5.00 coffee and $3.00 bagels. When the neighborhood change, so do the people, and those who don’t fit in meaning, people who don’t meet the income requirements, social status, and in some cases belonging to the right ethnic group, are left out.

The buildings are getting taller with great amenities and concierge service. While the other half lives in dangerous, rodent infested, deteriorating buildings owned by slum lords, who change high rents to invest in the building of luxury apartment complex to carter to the life style of the rich and famous.

 WAY TO GO NEW YORK. THIS IS MY STORY.

What say you?

 

 

 

Home Sweet Home?

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Dear Readers,

when you open the door of your home and welcome people in and say, ” make yourself at home” are you being truthful or saying this out courtesy. The late two years I’ve moved four times living  in other people’s home. I live in New York City and the rents are out of control.  Most people are forced into a roommate situation.  Since the age of 30 I have lived in my own space with a small dog, or a cat and I once had a bird. I am 55 and often feel humiliated about my situation.

Each roommate situation it is suggested that I ” make myself at home” before I go on it is noteworthy to say that I am quiet, very neat I like every in it place. I burn scented candles, keep a dust free home and never walk inside with my shoes on. I think of home as a safe, clean, peaceful and happy environment to relax, rejuvenate and mentally and emotionally reset to cope with the struggles of the” Grind”.

Now, back to ” make yourself at home” in each place I have resided there wasn’t the feeling of home due to the consistent reminders that I wasn’t at home. People have a tendency to drop hints or suggestions about how things are done in ” their home”. For example, I have an unusual schedule meaning, I don’t have a Monday to Friday 9 to 5. I often leave home early and return late. When I enter I do so quietly, and on my days off I enjoy sleeping late because I don’t often experience the luxury of staying in bed. I am often asked questions like, what time did I get in? Or hear statements like, oh your home today. When I cook I like to do so alone with music and a glass of wine. Lately, I have had company in the kitchen watching what I do and questioned why I do what I do the way I do it. As a result I spend less time in the kitchen. I bite my lip, smile and practice patience because I am at the mercy of the homeowner. I am often angry and question why do people willingly invite others into their homes, collect rent then proceed to be a dictator by creating an uncomfortable environment.

To my readers, people become displaced from their homes for various reasons. In my case my last landlord sold the house I was living in and

didn’t grant me time to find another place. So, my journey has taken me two years and four different roommates. Gone is the feeling of ” Home sweet Home”. I long to feel stable and at peace. I missed curling up on my sofa and binge watching NCIS, while eating popcorn and drinking wine. I want the privacy of my own bathroom and kitchen. I miss having a pet, burning candles, listening to jazz and just doing as I damn well please.

I am keeping my fingers crossed I’ve been promised a one bedroom apartment that I can afford by the New Year 2020. What a glorious way to start the year in my own space. As you read this here is something to ponder, think about a time in your life when circumstances changed, think about the discomfort, the feeling of humiliation and the disbelief that life has dealt you a curveball that you weren’t ready for. Think about how you wanted to be treated versus how you were treated. In all of my living situations I was a means to an end. I do take comfort that my current situation gives me the peace of mind and space to reboot. My room has become my sanctuary, its larger, bright and allows me to be comfortable until I can unpack and hang my ” Home Sweet Home” sign.💖

All is fair in Love and Rent

Dear readers,

Do you remember this, Hi I’m Robin Leach, and this is the life style of the rich and famous? The 80’s TV Series that show cased the opulence of the wealthy. I was young and captivated by the designer clothes and the bling.

Then I grow up, worked my way through college while struggling to keep a roof over my head. I consider myself to be lucky to have found affordable housing in a decent neighborhood. This bring me to my point, recently in New York City there is a boom of erecting Luxury buildings, taking place throughout the five boroughs. Some people are calling this re-gentrification by the middle class or the work of a conglomerate of secret rich investors, pushing lower- income people out. With each Mayoral election, the promise is made to create jobs, and to build more affordable housing. But, when these promise makers are voted into office, the only progress that is made is for the well to do.

Schools are closed in so called poor performing districts only to be rebuilt into private schools. Mom and Pop shops are forced out replaced with pricier gourmet food stores, and cafes that sell $5.00 coffee and $3.00 bagels. When the neighborhood change, so do the people, and those who don’t fit in meaning, people who don’t meet the income requirements, social status, and in some cases belonging to the right ethnic group, are left out.

The buildings are getting taller with great amenities and concierge service. While the other half lives in dangerous, rodent infested, deteriorating buildings owned by slum lords, who change high rents to invest in the building of luxury apartment complex to carter to the life style of the rich and famous.

 WAY TO GO NEW YORK. THIS IS MY STORY.

What say you?