WHY A MOVE TO ASHEVILLE, N.C. IS A JOURNEY TOWARDS MYSELF (even if my cats aren't excited)
Updated: Jan 20, 2022
“It's a funny thing about life,
once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for,
you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.”
― Germany Kent
POTENTIALLY THE MOST DISTURBED BY A MOVE ? MY FAMILY:
Sol (3yr-old-she) and YoYo (14yr-old-he) whose total world up to now has been S. Elliott, 2B
A year and a half of (unemployment supported) pandemic isolation (with my cat friends YoYo and Sol) turned me into a powerful ninja in my own creative world ! For the first time in my life I had unbroken time to focus on developing my work for myself, to meet my standards, draw from my experiences and celebrate my quirks – and I had a group of articulate friends offering me in-depth critiques and encouragement.* I felt blessed and so grateful, while becoming acutely more aware of what was registering as right for me.
That supported era passed; I was back out in the world, earning as a freelance cater waiter and back-of-the-house captain. While wonderful to be mingling again with co-workers and creatives, I quickly realized, I am no longer of this world, New York City ! I am no longer of my cozy home of 23 years in Fort Greene Brooklyn ! Though secure in a rent stabilized apartment, it has been years since I connected to a communal heartbeat in this long-gentrified neighborhood. (And it does make a difference that i was not born and raised in nyc and have no familial anchor here.)
My Voice told me, ‘You have to leave ! If you want to stay fresh and confident ! Go !’
I’m a Capricorn (and an older Black woman). We’re stubborn mountain goats who often bloom late in life. Right now, I have intense energy and great health – but for how long? I’ll start collecting Social Security checks in January 2022. I have enough earned wisdom to know that’s not depressing – It’s a call to action !
My spiritual well-being emanates from my belief that my lessons and stories can generate unique insights and transformative human exchanges for working-class adults and their families. Now I need to find a new ‘local community’ to introduce my work to. Why Asheville N.C., and why by August 31, 2022 ? Well, that’s part of the story I’ll be telling ....
- Trayce