Focusing on gratitude has transformed how I feel about the world and how I interact with it.
I grew up up in a large family in a small apartment in the Arverne-Edgemere projects of Rockaway in Queens New York. My parents were often stressed about money. There was a lot of illness, both physical and emotional. Fear and a feeling of lack, insecurity – also both physical and emotional – were constants in my life.
I didn’t see it then, but the perspective of time allows me to see how much suffering there was in my home and the world around me. Back then, it was just life.
Leaving home at the age of 16, I didn’t realize how much of this stress impacted how I acted in the world and interacted with people in my life. This would take a few decades to sort out, many conflicts, many struggles.
But all of these struggles have lead me to one basic truth: I had the choice to respond to the struggles with anger and blame of things I can’t control, or I could choose to have empathy for myself, those around me, and try to make the world better than when I found it.
This was a choice that I could make each moment. Even “paper or plastic” is one of these choices. I could see what the world gave me and try to make an even better choice, like bringing my own bag.
I don’t always make the best choice, but I do try to learn from every challenge.
This has particular resonance with me now, having taken on the responsibility to care for the beautiful space that was once the North Presbyterian Church and is now the Heart of Northside. The goal: to build on the foundation of community, to be a place of health and sanctuary for people of all faiths and backgrounds, has been as daunting and huge as I anticipated.
But what I have also found is that there is a hunger for a space like what we are creating together. People are excited about this project and want to help. They want to celebrate with each other, to hear and be heard, to be together in community, perhaps now more than ever.
To care for this beautiful space has been a challenge, to say the least. But our success is essential to the foundation of the neighborhood. This space brought together families for almost 140 years. It still works to bring together the community. For example, small businesses that help our families stay healthy work here: Adventure Crew, the Northside Farmers Market, Sages of Grief, Ocotillo Herbals, Queen City Commons, Dr. Ritch Hall who created a Black Men’s Support Group. Learn more about them in the tenant directory!
This space brings music and art: students from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music use the organ as part of their learning and give back to the community in the form of free concerts on the first Wednesday of the month Farmers Market. Vox Veritatis, SingOUT Cincy, Young Professionals Choral Collective – these are just a few of the groups that have used this space to make art and give joy. Check out the community event calendar for upcoming opportunities!
Families have gathered here recently for many milestones: weddings, birthdays, baby showers, Christmas and Thanksgiving celebrations, and the community gathers here for meetings, conversations, and fun. If you’re looking for a venue for your upcoming event, please check out the spaces in the Heart of Northside and get in touch for an in person tour.
We have a choice as to how our world is shaped. In this joyous season, let’s come together and make the future the best we can for our children and our neighbors. Let’s make Northside an example of how we can live in peace, good health, and love: community at its best.
If you’re able to, I hope that you will consider making a donation to my organization during the Cincinnati Gives Challenge is a friendly fund-raising competition where local charities compete to raise the most money with the top teams winning cash prizes from Cincinnati Magazine. The 2024 Cincinnati Gives Challenge runs from 2 Dec at 5pm ET through 12 Dec at 5pm ET. Please donate here!
