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Tough Times Make You Who You Are Today

July 12, 2023 I recently had the pleasure of doing a weightlifting competition to raise money and collect hygiene products for Courage MKE, which provides housing and resources to LGBTQ+ youth in the city of Milwaukee. It was held at New Barons Brewing Co-op and hosted by Old Breed Strength Club, a gym of which I am a member. These are two businesses that continue to do a wonderful job at giving back to the community. The event was an uplifting experience, but it had also reminded me of a couple things.  One, tough times make you who you are today. The second would be you are the company you keep. I purchased my hygiene products at Dollar General, not really having any luck finding much for travel-sized options, but I did my best finding the smallest items as possible that still fit my budget. When I got to the event, I introduced myself to the ladies collecting the hygiene items, and we started talking. They explained that not only do the hygiene items go to homeless LGBTQ+ youth, but they also go to Milwaukee Public School students. They were more than grateful to receive the items I brought, despite them not being travel sized. They further explained that travel-sized options are more discrete and fit in a child’s backpack more easily. This is especially important because some of these children are embarrassed to receive them.It just reminded me of how I felt when I was young. Both my parents lost their jobs at the same time, and we really struggled. I hated having to get lunch tickets at school. I was one of those kids that needed to have their lunches paid for by the school, and I was always singled out because those tickets were a different color than the rest. I also hated receiving gifts at Christmas time from the school, but if we didn’t, Christmas would have been way different. It was embarrassing, but I know we needed the help.  Even though those times were tough, I am still grateful for them because without them, I don’t know if I would be as compassionate and understanding for the silent struggles people face daily. Which brings me to you are the company you keep. Doing this type of community outreach has always been something that I have wanted to do. Having needed help in my youth, I understood the emotions involved. I am grateful that I am finally finding my tribe of people to do this work. I never thought it would take running my craft beer club to do it, but Barley’s Angels has been an amazing way to reach out to the community. Project Money and the people I’ve met are also part of my tribe. The tools I’ve learned so far will help me reach my goal of helping people find affordable housing from properties I hope to own in the future. Although tough times suck, those experiences make you who you are today. It’s up to you to turn those negatives into a positive, and if you feel like you’re not living up to your potential, look at who you’re surrounded by. Maybe it’s the company you keep. You might also be interested in Costa Rica was amazing! It 100% lives up to its slogan, Pura Vida, which means “pure life.” Everyone we met, from our airport shuttle driver, Christian... I still can’t believe that I will be turning 40 in November. Forty years around the sun, as they say. I don’t feel like I look 40, and I don’t feel 40... I have been very fortunate to be invited to my sister and her boyfriend’s property in Costa Rica. It’s a family trip, as my two sisters Katie and Jayme... This month is pretty tight financially. Both my car insurance and camper insurance are due within the same month, so with every purchase I make, I really... Let’s talk saving money. I don’t mean saving money at the grocery store through couponing or using a calculator while shopping. Those are both great ways... Several months ago, I made the decision to invest in buying some items to make a garden at my home. I haven’t had an actual garden since I had my house... As the fall-like temps make their reappearance, I can’t help to think back about summer and how much time and effort I made into making my new seasonal... I got Willow this year in the middle of January. I wasn’t sure if I was ready for a pup, as it was only seven months after I had to put my Gunner down... Several months ago, I made the decision to invest in buying some items to make a garden at my home. I haven’t had an actual garden since I had my house...
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