By Skye Waters, Contributor
The people that love you teach you how to fish and encourage you all the way to the finish line. While life may be imperfect there is always friend, a family, an organization, or a tribe willing to help. After you get help, it’s your turn to encourage another across that finish line.
What are the most important things needed to live a good life?
I have lived quite a life and I have finally arrived at a place where I’ve lost and gained enough to recognize that God, love, family, peace and the space to express myself freely makes my heart sing.
The rest of life is bells and whistles. But without true, loving relationships and familial bonds–I would wither on the vine–almost.
After everyone has left me, and they have before, I know I can call out to God. Spitit will either send someone to me for a time or fill my cup from within.
The will to press forward in this world when darkness hits is the belief that you are loved. The absence of love can hit harder than an empty stomach. If you have all the money in the world but feel close to no one, that is not a good life. It is a debt free life. Even just a little bit of love by someone is necessary. To me, the mark of a good life is a blessed one. One that is marked with purpose, a partner, children, grandchildren, and is built by your hands.
I would also add that living a life that is true to your convictions is the most gratifying. Joseph Campbell speaks to this authentic, well-lived life. It is the gift of a lifetime to simply do YOU.
When I lost my 5 year old to cancer she left me with so many nuggets of wisdom. She knew I was in a bad place and she wanted me to live a life or color. It’s taken awhile to believe that a child would enter my world so briefly and free me from my burdens–but she did. When it’s a good and perfect thing from above,it fits inside of your life. All the pieces of the grand puzzle fit together, and it’s beautiful.
This brief presentation is simply the beginning of many explorations into military history. I will also take a moment to highlight some of my family history and even call for you to share yours as well.
Like many of your family members, my relatives fought in this war. As a nation, we’ve spent alot of time speaking about, and even verbally honoring our heroes of past and present–it’s now time to go a step further.
It’s time we keep these sacrifices and their importance at the forefront of our minds. My hope is to bring some lesser known aspects of military folklore to the forefront and inspire you to discover more on your own.
If you had to change your name, what would your new name be?
In January of 2024 I had a supernatural experience that left me with the divine name “Luna de Luz” aka “La Luz.”
When I told my daughter my new name, she told me that she wanted to be called “Luna the Moon” as a way of being like me.
It’s been over a year, and I feel I’ve settled into Chiara Luz as my name. However, I can see myself dropping the Chiara at some point. I’m not sure. Ironically, all variations of my name mean similar things. I guess God was OK with the first choice, and he allowed for some variations the second go round. My last name is still a mystery. I’ve considered Herrera-Jackson/Johnson.
My name is a symbol of a blessing, a purposeful path, and the joy I look to in the future.
Describe your dream chocolate bar.
“Velata” means veiled. I love this idea of a decadent chocolate exploration and ritual. This space may have a sister or brother shop in the back for cigars, ciders, and espresso to accompany a plethora of decadent chocolate.
“Madame Cocoa” is a place for some of the best chocolate in the world. Beautiful ambiance, plush seating, and rich indulgences. There also has to be a sister shop that serves as a chocolate spa in the back. The spa would have chocolate, milk, honey, raw sugar, and other sweet facials and scrubs. Madame Cocoa is a great place for cacao rituals and bridal parties.
“Miel & Noir” means honey and dark. Have some tea and chocolate on your lunch break. Although, this kind of looks like my dream bedroom.
Which one is your favorite?
Do you remember your favorite book from childhood?
This is an old book, but I remember reading A Wrinkle In Time and loving it. I also loved East of Eden by John Steinbeck, Lucy by Jamaica Kincaid, Ramona Quimby Age 8, Paradise by Toni Morrison, The Temple of My Familiar by Alice Walker, a lot of Jackie Collins and Whoreson by Donald Goines.
The latter was a gift from my uncle who gave me his collection when I turned twelve. I added Donald Goines to the mix because he was my gateway into urban life in many ways. I am fascinated by his life. He was a drug addict who wrote novels to support his habit. He was like a Charles Bukowski in some ways. But what an interesting motivation. His books had a lot of depth to them and really spoke to the lascivious underbelly of American life as well as race relations. He was absolutely prolific and ahead of his time.
The Golden Gate Bridge and The Legacy of Connection
During the 1930s America was in the throes of a depression. This event, which was prompted by the stock market crash of 1929, had a global impact that affected millions of lives. This was a time of great suffering and Americans, were looking for answers, stability and a pathway forward. In essence, people were looking for jobs in order to renew their sense of purpose and restore hope in the future–they needed something to bridge the gap. It was a perfect time to build a bridge. Bridges are more than just physical structures; they serve as symbols of human ingenuity and resilience. They not only connect lands but cultures and communities, while playing a pivotal role in shaping their identities.
America would soon get it’s symbol during the summer of 1937. One that assured it’s resilience and hope for the future. On May 27, 1937, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge was officially opened.
This monumental endeavor that was ushered in by a week-long fiesta where more than 200,000 pedestrians paid twenty-five cents to walk its newly constructed 8-mile street. The bridge was erected during the Great Depression and came at a time where unemployment was high and morale was low. These much-needed jobs were ones where not only satisfying but deeply gratifying to those that worked on them.
The Golden Gate Bridge stood as a testament to the determination and spirit of the American people, providing jobs and instilling a sense of pride and accomplishment. The bridge’s construction, was one of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s infrastructure deals that helped shape America and helped secure his legacy. It not only symbolized economic recovery, but also became a beacon of hope, promising a brighter future.
The number of people that have shaped me into who I am today is becoming almost too numerous to name.
At this point, I even see people who were intended to be a menace as good for me.
Sometimes it’s the stress of life, or birthing new ideas, that can alter your mood or perspective. But, when you get over the hump, it’s like breathing new air.
If I have to go through the fire in order to get to the beauty of the other side, I’d do it a thousand times.
If this is you, share with me. I’d love to hear how you are getting over the hump and staying in gratitude.
Tell good stories.
That’s the goal. That’s the mission.
Whether it’s retelling the greatest story ever told, exploring forgotten folklore, putting forth sacred art, or inspiring visual culture, we know that stories shape our vision.
Stories are all around us. We are a living example of the proclamation of ideas called “words made flesh.” Ultimately, as storytellers, we have the ability to tell good stories. Or we can create full-bodied, dynamic, thoughtfully crafted and historically balanced, shared narratives that reinforce our place in the world and in our community. We have the power as universal storytellers and citizen authors to see what we want to. It’s a lot of responsibility. The truth is a lot of responsibility, but that’s what makes it compelling.
Stories are not limited to movies, magazines, and large media. I tell my daughter a bedtime in the oral tradition every night. I make her the center of the story, and it’s fun. Maybe she will carry on the tradition.
So, what will you create? What stories will you tell that haven’t been told? And if it’s a bedtime story, it’s OK to be the hero.
What public figure do you disagree with the most?
I typically don’t give too much time to people public figures I don’t agree with. In this season of my life, I focus on finding agreements where and if I can. Someone has to.
The only people who may “lose me” are people that I find to be disingenuous. I generally have an easier time conversing with people who have an emotionally balanced, grounded, sense of faith that is evidenced by their heart and through their actions. When they aren’t too spiritual that they hold no earthly use–I find them agreeable. But even then, I take everyone and all things on a case by case basis. Public figures are notorious for shape-shifting. I believe it comes with the territory. Therefore, I don’t put too much stock in what they say at times. I look at actions.
However,if a person is half glass empty, I more than likely will be out of alignment with them. I am wired for happiness, and even in my darkest times, including now, I still anticipate something good at some point. To that end, I do my best to find common ground whenever I can and if I can. If I can’t, I just move on or around.
And to be totally honest, I can’t agree with anyone who refuses to see a pathway to peace in anything– because we need it.
What was the last live performance you saw?
I am a fan of techno, house, deep house, and trance music, among others. A few months back, I started watching Lily Palmer on YouTube, and then I discovered she was coming to my hometown. I feel like it was my first live show since Covid, and it was a lot of fun.
I went alone and that was OK. However, I would not do that again. Concerts are meant to be enjoyed with other people. Sure, I am OK with being alone, but not so much at an event like that. I need someone to get excited with. All in all, I highly recommend her.
I often see faces in the clouds. I snapped these tonight. This is a man’s face over my house. My bedroom kind of. 😇
Can you see him? Perhaps he is a guardian angel.
Do you vote in political elections?
Yes. I also don’t fully believe that the personal is political. People can want things for others that they would not consider for themselves.
However, politics don’t dominate my conversation or timeline–people do.
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