Category: Chiara Life

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Nice Words Have A Way Of…

I think my future will surprise me.

I woke up the other day thinking putting old school pen to paper for Brass and Bloom. Part of me is nervous at how fast the words move things into existence. But hey, why not? I forsee a fun summer.

I think it can never be understated how far kindness and kind words can go. So many people talk reckless to each other that when you recieve a kind message or word it really stands out.

Let’s practice putting kindness on those words.

I understand it can be a challenge and we will fall short–but we all need it from time to time.

How do you show up for your friends, children, and loved ones in difficult moments? I would love to learn.

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The Confluence of Art and Media: How Art Will Meet The Moment

By Chiara Luz

This site is a holistic media endeavor. Soon, it will be opened up to even more minds and opinions. That is not only how community meets the moment, but art. Art and media are two conjoined halves in my opinion. They function best when they’re interdependent. In our politically charged society we have the opportunity to mine the fields for problems and see where art can tell a different story and advance a better future.

In our politically charged society, we have the opportunity to mine the landscape for problems and explore where art can tell new stories. I taught a workshop on technology and art for the Women’s Caucus for Art a couple of years ago. I am an advocate for digital tools, artificial intelligence, and digital art and sales. I believe there are not only creative, but fiscal, opportunities available within this genre.

Traditional Art Practices


While in-person engagement with art is increasing and traditional forms remain a mainstay of the status quo, the digital world is still evolving. There is as much possibility there as the mind can imagine, and I champion it. Throughout history, art has always faced attack. Artists are close to the Creator —they bring forth the unseen. That is a great deal of power.

So will art survive the moment with integrity and dignity? Of course they will. They are the moment.


It’s also comforting to know that artists still retain control over what they make and how they choose to say it. Artists are needed. Art is the baseline of all innovation, while words shape the language around it. Together, they form the rhetorical world-building pillars of society.


If I had a question, it would be this: how will art rise to the occasion? How will it shape new narratives? Through UNESCO we can study cultural globally and how to preserve it, yet what arw futurists envisioning now? We have spent a fair amount of time uncovering problems and successfully answering some of them. How do we take it a step further while building our own magical society? That is the power of art. I will always be a believer in the small steps. The small details. The small wins.

I believe in each brick that carefullt builds out our daily dreams and lives.

Support the national arts, here.

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BirdSEED: Your Path to Affordable Homeownership

Affordable Housing Project - Fareham
Affordable Housing Project – Fareham by Colin Babb is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0

I want you to have your dreams. I want to show you that there are tangible ways to obtain them. When this site evolved a few years ago, the tagline was information is access. It still is. Here is another piece of the puzzle so you can rest your head in your own space. You can be proud of yourself and your children can be proud of you. You can do this!

When you’ve been researching housing initiatives for a while, you learn to spot the difference between programs that simply sound good and those that actually shift the landscape. BirdSEED is one of the rare ones that does the latter. 

This isn’t just another down‑payment assistance program. It’s a grant rooted in reparative justice—a direct acknowledgment that generations of discriminatory housing policies created real harm, and that real repair requires more than words. The call for restoration was made and a proram like BirdSEED  answered. BirdSEED steps into that gap with tangible support for families who have been historically shut out of homeownership. 

Why BirdSEED Matters 

If you’ve ever tried to buy a home, or walked alongside someone who has, you know the down payment is often the biggest barrier. BirdSEED offers grants (not loans) to help close that gap. No repayment. No hidden strings. It is support designed to help families finally step into the stability and wealth‑building that homeownership can provide. 

For many, this isn’t just financial help. It’s the difference between renting forever and building generational security. It’s the difference between being pushed out of a neighborhood and having the power to stay rooted. 

What Makes This Program Stand Out 

  • It’s grounded in justice, not charity. 
  • It acknowledges historical harm and responds with real resources. 
  • It’s accessible, with a clear mission and straightforward application process. 
  • It’s designed to repair, not just assist. 

I am a believer that a big part of the American dream is stability, and home ownership is a big part of that picture. There are stories of women becoming widows and finding out they no longer own their homes due to property taxes or title loss or through divorce. Some people simply want a better way to raise their families and to give them a small something. This is it. I have been around for a long time, and I can tell you that programs like this don’t come around often. And when they do, they deserve to be shared widely. Act now and keep your ears to the ground and your eyes open. Your justice is yours to pursue. If you don’t pay attention, I believe that some of these opportunities will be off the table. You don’t want that. You want to give your family the most invaluable thing going—stability.  

How You Can Take Action 

If you or someone you know has been dreaming of homeownership but struggling to cross that financial threshold, take a moment to explore BirdSEED. Share it with your networks. Post it in your group chats. Mention it at work. These are the kinds of resources that change lives when they reach the right people. 

Justice grows when we pass the seeds along.  I am a huge supporter of non-profits that actually do things and are committed to making a real impact.

Additionally, Investopedia summarized some benefits for new homeowners and here are some things found on the federal level that should be of interest to you. Remember, to win is to be smart, knowledgeable, and keeping it simple. Good luck. I have mentioned before that our state has quite a few programs and anything that you do not qualify today–keep trying ladies.



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How I Stay Focused on Daily Goals As A Busy Mom

a woman in brown shirt typing on her laptop while sitting beside her kids

Most mornings I wake up with a plan. I tell myself that today I will stay focused, stay calm, and stay on track. Then the day actually begins. Someone needs breakfast, someone else can’t find their shoes, the laundry is giving me side‑eye, and suddenly my goals feel like a distant memory. If that sounds familiar, you’re in good company.

Over time I’ve learned that staying on target with daily goals is less about having a perfect routine and more about finding small ways to support myself through the chaos.

a woman in brown shirt typing on her laptop while sitting beside her kids
Photo by Jep Gambardella on Pexels.com
I Keep My Goals Simple

I used to write long lists that looked impressive but never got done. Now I pick three things that truly matter. When I keep it simple, I actually finish what I start, and that feels so much better than staring at a list that grows faster than I can check things off.

I Break Big Tasks Into Bite‑Sized Pieces

If something feels overwhelming, I chop it into tiny steps. Instead of “clean the house,” I’ll focus on “clear the kitchen counter.” Small wins add up, and they give me the momentum I need to keep going. Another tip is to set a timer for 15 minutes and spot clean. You’ll be amazed at what you get done knowing that you only have 15 minutes to do it.

I Lean on Routines

Routines save my sanity. They take the guesswork out of the day and help me stay grounded. Even a short morning ritual helps me feel like I’m steering the ship instead of being tossed around by the waves. My latest endeavor is working out with the Daily Burn app. I scored a membership, and I am looking to break up my workouts in 20-minute intervals. I do 20 minutes in the morning and then 20-minutes in the evening. My daughter keeps me on track. She is like a mini assistant. Daily Burn is also on Amazon Prime. You guys know I love my Amazon Prime and I just got a residual payout, and I am even more encouraged to get new books on Amazon. We love Amazon. It has everything for the indie employee and future entrepreneur.

I Protect My Focus

Distractions are everywhere. If I don’t set boundaries, my attention gets pulled in a hundred directions. I’ve started using short focus sessions where I silence notifications and give myself permission to concentrate on one thing. It’s amazing how much smoother the day feels when I do this. I can get distracted pretty easily when the ideas begin to kick in, but with hardcore focus, I stay determined.

I Celebrate the Small Stuff

Moms are great at cheering for everyone else, but we forget to cheer for ourselves. I’ve started acknowledging my own progress, even if it’s tiny. A little celebration at the end of the day reminds me that I’m moving forward, even when the day felt messy. My personal mantra is to live to fight another day.

I Stay Flexible

Life with kids rarely goes according to plan. I’ve learned to adjust without beating myself up. Flexibility keeps me consistent because it lets me adapt instead of feeling like I failed. I just tell myself– you will live to fight another day. How do you stay on track?



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Why Freedom In The Arts And Artistic Expression Matters

By Chiara Luz Atoyebi

Throughout history, the arts have thrived most powerfully when artists are free to speak, challenge, and imagine without constraint. From ancient playwrights questioning authority in public forums, to Renaissance painters pushing against religious orthodoxy, to modern musicians and performers confronting social and political realities, artistic freedom has always been inseparable from cultural progress. When artists lose that freedom, society loses a vital mirror and a vital conscience. However, throughout time art has been and still is used to maintain the status quo while operating under the guise of creative expression. We may ask creative for who?


Art is not meant to be comfortable or purely transactional. It is meant to explore human complexity, to provoke empathy, and to ask difficult questions. Yet again and again, artists have found themselves navigating institutional, financial, or political pressures that threaten to silence or narrow their voices. History reminds us that when creative expression is constrained whether by censorship, rigid bureaucracy, or ideological agendas that the result is not stability, but stagnation.

The Washington National Opera

Opera, like all art forms, depends on risk: emotional, creative, and financial. When systems prioritize control or predictability over experimentation and trust in artists, the art itself suffers. The Washington National Opera’s choice to seek change and independence is not simply a logistical shift, but possibly a statement about preserving space for artistic voices to evolve on their own terms.

It’s also fair to note that sales and sponsorship had been declining for over a year. It’s hard to tell if this is a business decision or one due to creative differences–or both. For now the new location of the Washington National Opera is currently up in the air.

This moment is another chapter in a long history of art and freedom of expression. It reminds us that freedom in the arts is not guaranteed; it must be continually defended.
In protecting artistic freedom, we protect the human voice itself.

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Love as Infrastructure: Designing Relationships That Last

Love is an action. So is support. If there is more talk of support instead actually supporting, then we aren’t there you.

When you’re looking for the right partnerships, why not look through the lens of love?


Love asks: Is there respect here?
Is there honesty?
Is there mutual investment and shared accountability?


Through this lens, partnership becomes more than alignment on paper, it becomes trust in practice. It looks like showing up consistently, valuing every player, sharing credit, and counting wins as ours. It’s transparency over performance, clarity over control, and collaboration over competition.


Love doesn’t require perfection, but it does require truth. It lays the cards on the table and builds on facts, not illusions. It feels steady, not transactional. Supportive, not conditional. When viewed this way, the right partnerships feel grounding rather than draining.


Looking through the lens of love means choosing relationships albeit personal, professional, and political, that honor who you are and what you’re building. It’s a builder’s mindset: practical, intentional, and rooted in respect.


And when love is the lens, you don’t have to force alignment, you simply recognize it.

Lastly, be careful who you partner with. All relationships aren’t destined to scale. If you find that others are scaling and your pocketbook is draining–this was a bad option. Some extremely talented people have aligned with some people that used them as a host and they have never been heard from again.

I like to think of Zerrubabel and the building of the second temple of Jerusalem. This was no ordinary call to action, this was a call that would wipe the transgressions of a nation and reap a huge blessing. Zerrubabel had a lot of people pulling on him. Alot of “relationships” but he had to know which ones were destined to scale. When it’s destined to scale the building process may be intimate but the rewards are for the masses.

That’s the goal for 2026.

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Barriers Down, Doors Open: Why Now Is the Time to Start Saving Your Refund

I’ve been seeing all of these tiny home deliveries on social media and it got me thinking. What about purchasing land and putting a few on there? It’s a thought. It’s also a thought for you if you are interested. The better thing is that it is an opportunity for equity. You will not have to wait; it all can be yours. If that is too much of an ask, there is also the traditional homebuying route. Just think, you may not be able to leave ten homes behind, but one fabulous one is more than enough. When it boils down, we have no idea what Earth will look like 100 years out, but we have hope for the next thirty.

For years, buying a home felt like it came with a velvet rope and your credit score was the bouncer. But that’s changing. With Fannie Mae moving away from rigid credit score cutoffs and toward a more holistic view of borrowers, one of the biggest barriers to building equity is finally coming down. Translation? Homeownership is starting to look a lot more accessible for everyday people. Even better, each state updates programs that work for even the least among us. Let’s get into it.

This shift is a big deal because equity is one of the most powerful ways families build long-term wealth. When fewer people are automatically locked out by a single number, more buyers get the chance to invest in themselves instead of paying rent year after year. It’s not about “lowering the bar” it’s about recognizing that financial responsibility looks different for everyone, and that strong income, payment history, and savings matter too.

And here’s where your tax refund comes in. That refund isn’t just bonus money; it’s a head start. Whether it becomes part of your down payment, covers closing costs, or boosts your savings reserves, putting it aside now can move you closer to owning a home and building equity sooner than you think. Barriers are being removed, opportunities are opening up, and this could be the year you turn a refund into a foundation for your future.

Tell me are you team tiny house? Or large and forever?

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Happy New Year!

This year has flown by. We have lots to look forward to in the upcoming year as well as lots to take advantage of. Housing, healthy food, art, stories, faith, and of course family.

We are also getting a name change in the New  Year along with a bunch of other goodies. I appreciate all of you who read and who have subscribed. Feel free to email me at info@chiaraatoyebimedia.com with any of your thoughts, comments, well-wishes and more. I would love to connect with you.

Wishing you a blessed New Year and thanks so much for being here. Please be sure to share our site with others if you will.

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A New Year’s Omen: Was She Smiling?

By La Luz

Photo of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Courtesy of Chiara Luz Atoyebi, Washington. DC 2025.

I have seen a few signs and wonders at The Basilica in DC, and it always happens with exactly one witness. This past Sunday when we were leaving mass I looked up and saw what appeared to be Our Lady smiling. If you are familiar with this image and iconography it is more somber. But on this day I tapped my son and said, “is she smiling?” he said, “yeah that’s weird.”

I immediately snapped a picture and here it is.

For me it proves the spiritual connection of art in the way that Kandinsky wrote about. Additionallyalso believe that this is a smile of support and pride.

Let me know if you see the smile and what you think. I think it is a good omen for the new year.

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I Enjoy Giving

When are you most happy?

When I think back to my fondest memories they all involve moments where I had little resources, yet somehow managed to give gifts, prizes, books, meals, etc., to others. It always makes me think about one of my greatest desires and carry overs from childhood–teaching people how to fish. Showing by example that they have what they need when they look around. Teaching the blessing of small things and watching it grow to big things, is one of life’s joys for me.

In 2019  I said I wanted to be a philanthropist. I was inspired by all the art I was making and I felt I could do anything. I still believe that. Some people may say, you can’t be a philanthropist and be a regular person. But I believe those are the best ones. They show others that you don’t need big infrastructure for a big heart, or even big giving. Things can always grow later on. But there is so much need in the world. It’s nice to be able to stay fluid and watch others smile.

I also like to simply live my life and share parts of it. I know that when people encounter a person just living differently sometimes it’s the greatest inspiration.

It’s the gift of small things. Kind of like the Christmas cookies we baked with my daughter on Christmas. They already came with a Santa Face printed on them. Simple and delicious. Did I make the dough from scratch and carefully do everything? No.  Could I? Absolutely. I can do quite a few things but I have my own season I am stepping into. I am loosening my Martha Stewart style vice grip on domesticity and spreading out creatively.

The good news is that she made cookies with the neighbor and with her grandmother. One for Noche Buena and the other for Christmas. So there was love all around.

Maybe that’s another thing to consider giving. Maybe sharing those closest to you. Maybe it’s sharing time and even sharing space.

When I am giving I also get a bit tired, and I am learning that little dab is great. I don’t need to give the entire kit and caboodle. For me, the most important thing is building a life. It doesn’t take as much as you might think depending on your goals.

But back to sharing and giving:

What do you find the hardest to share? Time Space? Money? I would love to know.

Happy Holidays. May peace be upon you.

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Merry Christmas To All

Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas.

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My Awesome Step Dad

Who are the biggest influences in your life?

Men give interesting advice. I got alot from my uncles, brothers and males in my life. I have actually had a lot of father figures in my life and they’ve all been great. But it took me a very long time to appreciate my step dad’s advice.

After I failed my driving test two times in high school he said, “you need to spruce it up a bit before you go in the next time.” That was code for “use yor assets.” Needless to say, that advice worked. It actually always works. So I will always remind myself sometimes that ai have to “spruce it up.”

This is true but I hope you find it endearing. I did because my dad always gives cool advice.

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The Art of Moving On

What skills or lessons have you learned recently?

I use to have this skill mastered and it allowed me to live a robust life full of adventures and interesting people.

I love living a fluid life, and I hope that I pass on that free spirit to my children. It’s a big world out there, and we are too often confined to the spaces in our head or even our general locations. But, there is so much more.

I also apply that same mindset to people and situations.  Some people and situations can gain second chances. Some relationships can be resurrected or opportunities revisted. Others  were simply moments in time, life lessons and our greatest teachers and cannot go further than the time they were allotted. 

The skill of discernment, and knowing when to move on in love, is necessary.  When we do this with a loving spirit, we allow doors to shut, in order for God to grow and use us for the next mission.

The gift of moving on and opening up, is a gift I wish more people had. It’s the key to an abundant life. It’s the key to breaking chains in our lives. Life is a gift, lean into it.

Merry Christmas. Shalom. Felicidades. Peace Be Upon You.

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Now Is The Time

By Chiara Luz

If you have been on the fence. If you were unsure about how to make the change or if you should make that change–now is the time.

I have a knack for seeing what is coming down the road and it is a mixed bag that will require a strong mental fortitude. It will be a season of faith for many people going forward.

We are still rebuilding and we all have a role to play in this moment. The biggest one is to be sober minded, community oriented, and family focused.

In the midst of challenges, trials, and uncertainty people of great faith will witness unbelievable things.

We are gearing up our stories here at CAM and working on preserving and educating people on some rich cultural heritage.

You and your family may not make it around the world but that does not mean you can’t be global citizens.

Peace be with you.