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    2 months ago Culture, Entrepreneurship, Life Wisdom, Money

    It was a decent and honest job that I end up loving it. These are my personal experience, not an expert. I’m just a constant learner and a curious person. I’m a creative spiritual human that loves to inspire and help others. ❤ 

    Originally published in Medium.

    I’m so grateful for what I’ve been learning, experiencing and struggling this week. Getting ready to release something pretty special from the heart and soul as a mama writer and creative being in December. Can’t wait for you all to read it! But first, podcast @your_storymatters_ release of first few episodes beginning of November! 🙂 along with new launch of other things I’ve been working on and getting other peeps to participate. This 2020 it has being a very tiring, challenging and painful year but one, that we were determined to embrace the suck, stay awake, less anxious and find the good through it all. For now, let’s talk about this new book I’m highly recommending right now. It’s called “The Calling” by Rha goddess ❤ yep! She really is a goddess. (I’m half way and oh so good!)

    The words business and money, for some odd reason has some people scare and uncertain than ever before. Well, even more so for those really going through this pandemic and wondering if they will make it this time. These are really hard times folks, please be kind, wear your mask and keep your distance. But also be mindful of what you consume and watch all the time. Now days, I set timers to get off work and put my phone away!. Have mini rewards ready when the to do list it’s half way done. Plus self-care time scheduled when the to-do-list gets done. I’ve been having anxiety, and some low days, yes. Not perfect here. But also, I’ve learned so much through failing, still learning and growing. Our goals around here are changing because so am I. Things are much more meaningful and clear than I ever thought would ever become during this pandemic.

    Either way, I’ll be giving more details soon. Sign up to our newsletters! This is a conscious, spiritual, creative awakening experiment and you all are invited to join in the adventure. ❤

    While I was working in a restaurant before the world went into quarantine, I learned 9 things that I would’ve never learned if I didn’t work from within (I worked there for about 3 months, then covid-19 caused it to close).

    The restaurant and food business is very demanding. It also has a rewarding aspect to it. I’m glad that I was able to experience it at least for a little while. The work, the people, and the surroundings helped me to heal heavy and emotional situations that I was dealing with prior to starting this new job. Surprisingly, it was an enjoyable job that was helping me pay the bills, while I was figuring out my self-healing, single-mom life, and how to successfully build my startup business with my team.

    The restaurant it’s called the Green Panthere. I really miss their veggie burgers and their delicious shawarma made of Jackfruit! 

    It was in the four walls of the restaurant where I came to rediscover my love of working in the service industry; making food and making people laugh felt good. As an empath, I feel a lot. So the distraction to work with my hands and being of service was a different experience. I loved creating vegetarian and vegan meals, as well as delicious and healthy smoothies. As you already know, I love to create; whether it be art, photography and content creation. Specifically, I love to write books (publishing one in December!), blogs, write for others, and of course write here! I also adore researching science and reading like a MTF because it’s just fun to learn, educate, create and inspire others :). If this sounds appealing to you, reach out to me. I would love to hear your story, and see if we can collaborate and help each other.

    Do you ever love something so much that you wish that by just doing that all your problems will disappear? That all the BS of life, won’t bother you or affect you anymore? Yep, that’s the goal: being happy, raising smart and kind daughters, reducing my ecological footprint, embracing my inner talents and helping others. How about you? What’s your goal in this life? What changed for you during these times?

    I found out that I don’t have to hide anymore that I also love to paint, write poems and songs… 🙂 That is okay to self-publish and be a multi-purpose creative and spiritual person. These are blessing that came out of heartache, dealing with discrimination, racism in my city , pain and grief as my mother degrades from this horrible and silent death “alzheimer’s dementia”. 

    I’m failing a lot, but learning a lot too. I’m crying more, aka releasing. Listing to understand, feeling more, learning to be patience, to rest, letting go more and just adapting to a fast changing world right now. At the same time, I’m building a habit of being okay with feeling uncomfortable. Go the extra mile, and see what happens. Do what’s right and collaborate with others, with our talents to inspire to fight for a more equitable, just and sustainable systems. For climate and social justice. Leaving space for my feelings to be honored and valid, in order to keep doing this work and inner work (which by the way it’s the F hardest thing to do), self-awareness and personal development are not easy. However, is the best thing you could do for your soul and spirit. 

    Some writers on Medium and amazing best selling authors can attest to this statement. Other people who own different streams of income online can also give a little insight about this too. It all comes down to two things — which I will discuss in the section below. They are simple to plan but difficult to execute.

    Self-Discipline + consistency = Habits for Everything in life. 

    I decided to share 9 things I’ve learned working in a restaurant, another job and building my startup at the same time. Oh! and also dealing with single mom life and taking care of my dying mother on the weekends (still do). 

    Just want to remind you all, we put the limitations on our minds that just because something is hard to do or is painful. That automatically, is not worth it or we listen to others telling us “there is no point in doing it” because is not “possible”. Yeah, another thing I learn to do for real, is to let go of Limiting beliefs. Seriously, it sucks joy out of life. In my experience, it was conditioned and enforce by not being in the right environment or surrounding myself with the right crowd. We all learn this the hard way or the easy way. 

    Before we get into it all, I need to remind you that It is a privilege to be able to survive, earn an income and be healthy during these times. It is what you do with your personal privilege (we all have it in some shape or form) that really matters now and later in the future. More importantly, we are all going through the second wave of this pandemic and living in countries where the government leaders have no clue what they’re doing which is killing a lot of people right now.

     Especially, if the leaders are not changing policies and systems that were there before that was deadly for BIPOC, LGBTQ, Trans women, Non-binary, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist, Brown, Asian, African, Haitians, Hispanic, Latinx, Arab and people with disabilities. This year, I have got to experience the reality of a system that does not benefit Single parents and if they are POC is worse.

    Here we are, still advocating, working, trying to heal, not feel guilty about taking breaks and fighting for human rights. As artists, we will do anything to use creativity through adversity. Why? Because it matters. Musicians, writers, coaches, speakers, artists, entertainers, and those who are empaths (such as myself) are creators by nature. We are constantly seeking light and truth through our arts. To help others from our inner-creative to feel, to heal, to believe, be inspired and to hope for a better future.

    Either way, some days I really wish I could record or take pictures when I take the metro (subway) at night. However, I’ll tell you with words. Every few nights, before I found my apartment, I would take the metro. On the ride, I would notice that the people who were looking super exhausted, tired and defeated were mostly black women and men. You can tell that they are probably working two jobs or three, and that 11pm is their time to be with their families, and god knows what time they go to bed. Then, they wake up and go through the routine all over again. I feel for their children that wish to have more time with their parents, but can’t because their parents have to work to keep a roof over their head, and to have food to eat everyday.

    Then I notice white people. You see the hipsters alluding feelings of peacefulness. Then, “Karen” wearing stilettos shoes on a Tuesday night in the middle of a world pandemic. Dear white people: This is something I see, and if you pay attention, listen to your friends POC stories and experiences without cantering back to your own white privileged experiences. You too will notice. It’s all around us. Inequality, racism, sexism, misogyny and white supremacy. These need to be eradicated.

    You want to go back to normal? Start by the normalization of dismantling racism. Yes, your skin color right now, if you stand up for BIPOC or any POC then we all have a chance to eradicate the 500 years old system. Start by helping black owned and communities right now. Start by helping and protecting black and any color women. Patriarchy and capitalism are toxic, we all need to embrace feminism, masculinity and those who are born with disabilities. Let women lead for a change. Start by educating better white supremacists, the media, radio and online media about integrating more diversity and teach that being a racist and white supremacy crap will not be accepted or tolerated anymore.

    Let’s build a system that empowers people to protect, help heal earth and each other. Create ways for equal opportunities for all of us and not just some of us.

    Organic living and how to survive during a pandemic and for later future ones. Mental health should be free, better education example: climate change classes and sustainability lifestyle. No more homelessness. That’s why police funds, TAXING THE RICH and (Quebec province) half of those high taxes we pay in this city alone need to be re-invested on the most vulnerable communities and for the people who are most affected by this pandemic. .

    These can be done, it just change is never easy and resistance is the by-product of lack and scarcity mindset. These two are needed in order for capitalism, racism and white supremacy continue to survive. If we all start changing our ways of thinking and acting towards each other. Just imagine.

    Remember, kindness, compassion, spirituality, and personal development are free. You just have to rewire your mindset by being comfortable with the uncomfortable. Trust me, is work but is the best thing you’ll ever do. Try it, and go at your own pace. Rushing this process is not ideal, let go of the competition (capitalism thrives on this and causes a lot of mental health issues) and start collaborating with others. Everyone is different. Each of us possess the ability to change, adapt and build resilience through tough times.

    Here are 9 lessons that you can start working on because they not only applied for business or work. It applies to everyday life.

    1. Instead of being a founder or define yourself as “entrepreneur” , serve Ice cream or Vegetarian Food. 

    Photo by Telliffier Morris 

    Seriously, the ego and the constant need for validation is draining and it causes a lot of depression plus burnout. Entrepreneur life and success is not this magical luxury place. It’s messy, drawing and tiring af. However, that’s why we choose what we love to do, so our job becomes like play and each hour is a milestone or block reached to our dreams. More importantly, we do it because we love to help others while sustaining ourselves, save money and give back what we no longer need. Then, repeat. So those high mighty rich stay humble, so you have a few people left that still love you and they might show up to your funeral. Death is unavoidable so you might as well enjoy it while you still can. You are here for a purpose, and it is not to spend your days hating, being an ass to others and/or hoarding money. Remember, we are here to serve for a purpose, anything that takes you away from that source. Is a waste. 

    2. Resilience and abundance are your birthright. 

    Photo by Greg Rakozy 

    Yep, especially those BIPOC who have been oppressed, marginalized, and completely disregarded your existence by designing an unjust economy, policies, education and government systems. Your love, your melanin skin and your lineage of excellence, creativity, innovation, joy, healing and life wisdoms are key in this revolution. Stay in your power. Ask the universe and your ancestors, but then do the work. Don’t expect them to do it for you. That’s not how law of attraction works. Learn to communicate your intentions and keep your abundance plus vibrations high. 

    3. Consistency will set you free. 

    Photo by XPS 

    “Consistent actions creates consistent results”.

     Christine Kane

    This is the hardest for most of us, but don’t give up. Once you start, let go of limiting beliefs, negativity in your mind and your surroundings. Go get it! 

    4. Quality versus quantity.

    Photo by Caspar Camille Rubin

    Always and forever baby ❤ Keep this in mind whenever you get caught up in the rat race and feel the pressure of everyone is posting and not me!? C’mon, these platforms are designed to consume OUR time. And time is the one thing not refundable, irreversible and absolutely can’t get it back. Spend your time wisely. (This still learning to adjust because is even harder now being in semi-lockdown to not get addicted even though is my job and my teams, but all consumptions have a limit. Find yours because social media for real can destroy yours if you let it. )

    5. Sustainability it’s possible in all restaurant and food industry settings. Everyday life really. 

    Photo by Louis Hansel @shotsoflouis 

    The restaurant I was working had a beautiful business model that was all for less waste, sustainability, clean, equitable and inclusive green restaurant practices. It is possible, and we have to keep supporting and encouraging those who are changing their businesses and embracing new equitable, renewable and inclusive work environment. 

    6. Creativity is energy and it needs to flow. 

    Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com 

    Resist and it kills joy. Embrace your inner child while also dealing with life and money will flow. Remember that team building, management and operation hold big roles. These departments can thrive in the creativity phase along with digital marketing strategies of any business or organizations. This is the space where magic happens and usually is where I love to be of service 😉

    7. Manage your time better to work and your energy. 

    Photo by Brando Makes Branding 

    At the same time, who you share your energy with is important. This one I’m still in the learning process. But take breaks and do things that you love and makes you happy. This took a while to embrace but I’ve realized than in order to continue being a happy and mindful mama to my girls. Breaks and self-love are necessary daily. 

    8. Give your all in to any job. 

    Photo by Ian Schneider 

    Because it builds your habits for your main and fun job you want or are working for in the future.

    9. Confidence is born from failure. 

    Photo by Mathias Jensen 

    Try, learn and fail as many time as possible. These will set you free too. 

    Then we come back to the reason I highly recommended. Embrace the suck because you might be better than most and if you are not, don’t give up because better days are coming. And that’s reason enough to be grateful.

    Now we are well into 2020 — you still haven’t taken action about something you’re excited or even passionate about.

    Here’s the thing: you’ll never ‘have the time’ unless you make it.

    And now is the perfect time to create the space and take action — so that when business as usual resumes, you will have a plan of action and have the tools to take action.

    Let me remind you something. I know this might be tough to hear, but there is never a perfect time to take action on your dreams or any projects that you left behind because you didn’t have “time” during these times. 

    There will always be projects and tasks and meetings and other things that life throws at you. Even when business as usual is paused — as it is now for most — there are still things to do. Find what sparks joy and happiness. Find something, anything — That makes you happy that you can do it every day, until you get really good at it. That others will start to notice and start asking you for advice or they might need you to do that for them.

     Your skill, anything you learn or practice consistently during this period. Will matter in your future. So choose wisely. Take a rest if you need to but, remember, the whole world has stop working, not only so we can stay home and save someone’s life. But, so we got a second chance to recreate, let our planet take a break from our constant BS and toxic practices that by now, we all know it needs to change and find other ways to live this precious life. 

    Don’t waste it. Is one life and it is yours for short period of time.

    Help others as much as you can. Self-love is self-discipline and if you can master that, you can do anything. 

    Hope this help and remember to be kind to you planet, to you and others. 

    Thank you for your support!

    Love and Light,

    _AO.

    If you liked this blog make sure to subscribe, follow us, leave us what you think in the comments (let’s start real conversations) and share it with someone that needs to read this today. Edited by Emma P. 

    ★ Support us on BookShop by reading 🙂 and help other bookstores too!

    You can view and read the journey : IG, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Thrive Global, HITRECORD and of course, here 🙂

    Where are we going next? Podcast @your_story_matters and bringing solutions with other change makers, leaders plus amplifying those who are voiceless. Creativity for intergenerational justice unleashed. Stay tuned!

    All Rights Reserved to WritersYep ©

    4 months ago #GiveBack, Anti-Racism Matters, BioScience, Chemistry, Money, Science & Environment, Social Justice, Sustainability Matters, Yeppin

    This Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) report is vital because it can support and inform the decision-makers of companies, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, as well as the public each year.

    Photo by Carlos “Grury” Santos

    In the journey of becoming Anti racist, (yes, as a latinx and mix-indigenous/Dominicana, I have lots of decolonization, dismantling of white supremacy, and bias to acknowledge, heal, and to overall change behaviours), decolonizing the mind is not easy work. It’s very deep and personal. And at the same time, fighting for climate change as an environmentalist, writer,founder, single mom and women of color, is on another level. 

    But it is necessary and painful work that I want to do and encourage you to do the same. We all have inner healing, and dismantle colonized mindset, oppressed, gentrified and discriminated traumas to let go and embrace new information and change. I know change is not easy, we are creatures that love comfort and safety-net. However, real life is not meant to be easy. 

    We all must work and learn to find joy through the chaos. _AO

     Earth was not created and all its organisms living on it, without going through painful and destructive experiences. There was a lot that our planet endured and our ancestors had to go through and adapt to a fast changing environment to get to where we are now. It really is up to us, to do something about what was NOT done well in the past. We have to fix it, all of us. We must research, find the truth and educate ourselves from what we all know by now, was a lie. History doesn’t repeat itself, but intergenerational trauma induce and a cycle system built to benefit some and zero for the other does. 

    Honestly, if 10 years ago, someone would have asked me if this was ever a possibility to do all of this… I probably would have said “Heck, no way”!

    This is where we are in a worldwide pandemic: 

    • We are on the rise of coronavirus again, and those who are more affected are trying to promote already their idea of a vaccine (which estimated time for a proper vaccine to developed and certified tested, has to be until the end of the year of 2021), that most probably is just test-runs; and we the healthy (working outside and being exposed to the virus or the survivors of the virus) are the subjects . With no scientific or result evidence that they work, but yet, political leaders are using it as a beacon of”fake-hope” to keep the public calm. 
    • Children and teachers risking their lives for the sake of “education”, parents working are either from home, or out with the public where they are exposed to the Coronavirus because their jobs allow them to feed their families and keep the mental-slave economy going .
    • Some countries and cities are still on lockdown since 9 months ago. The world, is on fire while most of us are getting richer and others are trying to survive injustices by police brutality, racism, misogyny, patriarchy, white supremacist, homo/transphobia, a pandemic, climate change and mental health issues. 
    • Traditional media and those who are in power, are making it very clear and not so subtle anymore, for us to STOP questioning their actions, the status quo, the system that keeps them in power and their so called “laws and policies”; which we all know needs to be re-written and changed. As well, it is not really advertised or spoken of, the long term effects this vaccine can create on our bodies since this virus has no cure as of yet. And the long term effects after getting the virus and surviving is another job on top of everything else going on in the world. Listen to the stories of those who survived. Data and numbers cases of survivors who are still having long term symptoms, and probably prolonged health issues, which were not a problem before they got covid-19.
    • Seniors, Children, Indigenous, Women, Parents, Single parents, Blacks, LGBTQ+, Transwomen and all people of color are suffering and dying faster than our fellow white counterparts during this pandemic. Our white peers are enjoying the privilege that their ancestors left behind (white supremacy, misogyny, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, patriarchy, capitalist/colonial mindset, Zero sum game bs, rapist, child molesters, police brutality, discrimination, segregation, oppression… I can keep going but do your research “on whiteness” ) for all the rest of us to deal. Now, 400 years later, we are demanding and fighting for justice, for our human rights and building equitable and sustainable systems that enhance our nations and our planet. With or without white people help. It will be amazing that our white peers become our allies. Because you do have the advantage of being born with the prefered skin color for now and use it for good; which is what we have been asking for decades. It feels good to benefit and profit from those who are suffering right now isn’t? Or educate yourself about systemic racism and white supremacy instead of experiencing it everyday? How was your vacation in the middle of a world pandemic? How were you treated in the hospital this year? Yep, check your privilege. Because Enough is enough! WE ARE TIRED! It’s exhausting trying to survive in a world designed Anti-black. Which is ridiculous. We are the by-product of multicultural and mixed races for many generations now. 
    • More jobs, the ability to rent a place in a safe neighbourhood, the right to get proper health care, financial assistance and mental health support are becoming less accessible than it was before for people whose skins are different than white. Those who denied this statement, please educate yourself, people are dying and we don’t have the time or the mental strength anymore to applicate to your wounded ego or feelings. 
    • There are those who are not able to find jobs or work right now; at the same time trying to survive themselves and provide for their loved ones with any means or ways they can. How are you surviving these days? 

    Honestly, I say and write thank you every single day, because sometimes I know it is a privilege to meditate or yoga, or take a walk for a few minutes. Without feeling guilty of not being a slave working for an economy and system that’s designed to keep us in control and letting them get away with horrible things done to us, the consumers and Earth, our home. 

    For now, let’s focus on those who need to be held accountable and how to start taking action. Tracking their actions and adding tax accordingly. It’s the fastest and most effective way to get to the core of most problems on this planet right now and making sure our human rights and health are not affected by their corrupted actions.

     We are paying and working, supporting companies and industries that are sick, toxic and twisted controlled by wealthy individuals. They also make sure they cover their tracks by paying enough to traditional media and politicians in order to keep the masses (us) distracted (using our psychological and intergenerational trauma to keep us oppressed and controlled. That’s why it is important to decolonize ourselves.Our minds can be easily manipulated if we don’t work on our mental strength too. ) from political bs, entertainment bs, news (keep us divided by lying and using racist and white supremacy tactics) and media power (them). Because the government and policy makers already knew, and always have known how bad climate change will be for all of us. Especially the most vulnerable and communities of people of color. They have the best scientists and research people on payroll that we pay them from our own taxes. They know the policies and regulations are mandatory for a reason. But humanity got distracted for the past 10–20 years. 

    Here we are. World pandemic, fighting for human rights again! and now, dealing with climate change impacts all in the same year. 

    2020 is not the problem, is what was already designed to benefit those who profit over inequality, and through the oppression of the most vulnerable communities. We see it through how children’s rights are being violated by ICE immigration and concentration camps. Humans rights violated in China, with genocide camps having muslims and other people locked up. The violations of Women’s rights in the ICE facilities recently reported through a whistleblowers (Thank god that you exist, I know is bad what you do because you get the most heat for speaking up and we are so grateful for your bravery. The universe always rewards the most stubborn souls. Especially those who are meant to show the light and truth. Integrity, compassion and honesty are vital these days. Don’t give up). 

    Money can buy mostly everything. But I’m telling you there are three things it CAN’T: Integrity, our mindset and hope. These grow, change over time and for the right reasons, giving the right circumstances and environment. Just like a diamond. 

    However, let’s focus on these corporations and large companies’ gadgets and how they need to report to the population their practises and their initiatives on lowering their environmental and health impact. It’s our basic human rights since we are the citizens paying to live in these countries that are supposed to keep us safe. Let’s start with:

    The TRI Report method can ensure for all of us citizens of the country we reside in, that manufactures and industrial systems, are held accountable in the goal to reduce CO2 emissions by 1.5 degrees celsius for the next 10 years. We all know by now, due to Covid-19 and a worldwide pandemic, that certain areas and locations are more vulnerable and exposed to chemical hazards than others. That climate change impact hasn’t stopped because of the Coronavirus. We can clearly see it through many disasters and now, the fires in California.

    Meanwhile, some manufacturers and facilities operations are still working during these times too. Due to the non-stop work of these facilities, creating a TRI report for the EPA is now more important than ever; to have to produce a TRI report will ensure that these companies and manufacturers take accountability for their actions. It will keep them aligned with the world goals: to reduce CO2 emissions, plus better management of their release of toxic waste into the land, water, and air.

    Image credit: EPA (United States Environment and Protection agency)

    Why is TRI important?

    TRI tracks the management of certain toxic chemicals that may pose a threat to human health and the environment. This report is very important because it must contain these manufactures and facilities year’s- worth of releases to air (fumes, smoke, dust), water, and in the form of hazardous chemical waste. These companies can maintain their credibility and make sure that their actions align with greener standards. They can also create a leadership-type role, which other companies can view as an example for their future environmental protection policies within their organizations. The positive movement by providing this TRI report can create better acquisition opportunities and better advancement for the organization as well as their internal affairs.

    Now, there are three criterias that a facility must meet in the report:

    1. Specific industry sector e.g., manufacturing, mining, electric power generation). Note that federal facilities must report regardless of industry sector if they meet the other two criteria.
    2. Employs 10 or more full-time equivalent employees
    3. Manufactures, processes, or otherwise uses a TRI-listed chemical in quantities above threshold levels in a given year.

    Sources: EPA.

    The TRI program has expanded significantly since its inception in 1987. The APE agency has issued rules to roughly double the number of chemicals included in the TRI to approximately 767 individually listed chemicals and 33 chemical categories. This includes the PFAS chemicals added by the National Defense Authorization Act in December 2019. As a result, the types of chemicals covered by the TRI list of reportable toxic chemicals can vary from year to year.

    In general, the Toxic Release Inventory requirements are to report chemicals covered by the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program; those that cause one or more of the following:

    • Cancer or other chronic human health effects
    • Significant adverse acute human health effects
    • Significant adverse environmental effects

    image:EPA

    Facilities that meet all of these criteria must:

    • Submit a TRI Form R for each TRI-listed chemical it manufactures, processes, or otherwise uses in quantities above the reporting threshold. (Note: Facilities may be eligible to submit the shorter Form A if they meet certain criteria. See the TRI Reporting Forms and Instructions for details.)
    • Submit each TRI form to both EPA and the state in which the facility is located (or to the appropriate tribe, if located in Indian country).
    • Submit each reporting form using TRI-MEweb, EPA’s online TRI reporting application.

    If a facility does not exceed an activity threshold for a listed toxic chemical, or is not in a covered NAICS code, or does not have 10 or more full-time employee equivalents, it is not required to report under EPCRA Section 313. However, such facilities may still want to keep records of the amounts of listed toxic chemicals they manufacture, process, or otherwise use, in order to defend against any claim that they failed to report.

    The parent regulation of TRI and the general goal of this parent regulation is in order to help with TRI reporting rules. In 1986, Congress passed the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) to support and promote emergency planning and to provide the public with information about releases of toxic chemicals in their community. Section 313 of EPCRA established the Toxics Release Inventory. (source: EPA)

    TRI is for industries primarily including manufacturing, metal and coal mining, electric utilities, and commercial hazardous waste treatment. Most recently, the APE Agency has reduced the reporting thresholds for certain persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals in order to be able to provide additional information to the public on these chemicals. (Source: Office of Disease Prevention and Health promotion) For example, Mobile sources emissions, which account for approximately 50% of all air toxics, as well as smaller sources such as gas stations and dry cleaners are not included in TRI.

    As mentioned in the Climate Reality Training, “rebuilding with green jobs”, we must put people first, produce green jobs, create a zero carbon society, equity building, and take climate action. Express the need of policy and educational awareness by:

    • Putting people first.
    • Ceasing bail outs for fossil fuels.
    • Fostering a just transition to zero emissions.
    • Focusing on creating careers and economic opportunities in areas with most need.
    • Social, Human Rights, and environmental justice
    • Climate change solutions and greener spaces
    • Embrace companies and organizations that provide services in sustainability and they create equitable, clean and sustainable practices within their organization and brands that inspire their consumers and their communities to thrive and too.

    In other words, TRI properly reporting and including EPA programs can make sure these facilities and companies are held accountable while we are all in the process of creating a greener and healthier sustainable planet. All of this on top of surviving a world pandemic, climate change, human rights and social justice movement.

    In one of the training, we had to read an article and express our solutions for climate action. I loved the article:

    9 REASONS TO HAVE CLIMATE HOPE IN 2020

    For this exercise, I added a 10th reason to have hope for the climate, and something I’ll be potentially presenting in order to create more awareness and hold big polluters accountable for their actions each year here in Montreal, and in the rest of Canada.

    I don’t live in the US, but their EPA program and their TRI mandatory report is something I believe is important to enforce and create more awareness. The need to educate more the YOUTH about these programs, climate change, anti-racism, anti-white supremacy, living more sustainability and give them the tools to also educate their peers and families is vital. I’ll definitely be contributing through writing, art and sharing more educational content about climate change and social justice through our channels and podcast episodes, on why Montreal, Quebec, or Canada doesn’t require this report to be mandatory, yet in the USA is vital for obvious reasons of course…

    Either way, we will be going into more depth about climate change solution, sharing the story of other companies doing the work, sustainability, why is important to build equitable sustainable and cleaner energy systems, Greener cities, build and amplifying Black and BIPOC Wealth in all systems (education, media, health facilities,agriculture, government, justice system,etc) . It is necessary to keep in check or create programs that track big corporations and manufactures that need to be held accountable for their toxic waste release into land, water and our air in areas of minority and most vulnerable communities around the world.

    We want change, and it starts from those who think they have it. The “power to the people” is still very valid and freedom of speech was created in order to defy those in power who we know and clearly can see are not good for our nations and our planet. Our mixed races are beautiful magic and it is time for all of us to embrace our diversity, uniqueness and unconscious inner strength as we unite forces to do what’s right for our planet and ourself. 

    *Remember we are still raising money for Lebanon, Beirut. Here is why.

    Here is the link: https://gf.me/u/ynwzwz (Donate and share)

    Thank you for your support!

    Love and Light,

    _AO.

    If you liked this blog make sure to subscribe, follow us, leave us what you think in the comments (let’s start real conversations) and share it with someone that needs to read this today.

    Edited by Emma P❤

    ★ Support us on Patreon

    You can view and read the journey : IG, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Thrive Global, HITRECORD and of course, here 🙂

    Where are we going next? Podcast @your_story_matters and bringing solutions with other change makers, leaders plus amplifying those who are voiceless. Creativity for intergenerational justice unleashed. Stay tuned!

    All Rights Reserved to WritersYep ©

    4 months ago Anti-Racism Matters, Culture, Science & Environment, ScienceYep, Social Justice, Sustainability Matters, WritersYepper's Journeys

    In the process of becoming a Climate Reality Project Leader. 

    Originally published on Medium.

    “The reality we now face implores us to act.”

    –AL GOREFounder & Chairman, The Climate Reality Project

    I am dedicating this article to my mother, Angela de Chevalier Olivo. She has been battling Alzheimer’s and Dementia for the past 7 years and at 55 years old, going through the last stages this year. Unfortunately, her days on this earth are getting shorter and this story would not be, if I didn’t take the time to acknowledge the person that encouraged, supported, and passed down her love for nature and humanity to me when I was younger. I’m from the Dominican Republic and I was born in Santo Domingo. We came to Montreal, Quebec 16 years ago.

    She was always my motivator as a child, whenever she would find me on top of a mango tree, trying to understand how fruits grow from trees. “Angie, did you find what you were looking for or do you want to find out together? Let’s go to the library” 🙂 That’s how she would get me out of trees and the ocean. With books. She and I used to love to read and then, I learned how to write. She would encourage me to write my dark and scary dreams which would happen more frequently after my parents divorce. My mother would encourage me to continue embracing art and creativity while also researching and trying to understand the environment. While she was dealing with being a single mother and working at the same time to keep us alive. Until a couple years later, she met my stepfather and my sisters were born. 

    Science fascinated me, but so did writing, painting, and photography (this I inherited from my dad who is also a photographer and a lieutenant officer from DR). It took me a lot of fails and tries, but eventually in 2012, on my last day of acting school at New York Film School, I called my mom, with my feet dark from walking through Soho and Manhattan street. “Mom, you were right. I want to go to university to learn science and how to help Earth and humanity. There are a lot of injustices in the world and I want to help change that.” I remember her words like it was yesterday: “I know. I wanted you to experience what it means to find your purpose and fight for it. You are a creative being, but you’ve always loved to find solutions to help our planet. I’m happy you realized this and don’t forget to write about it and take pictures okay?“. And that’s where the first seed of becoming a climate leader and environmentalist was born.

    The second seed was planted during my final presentations after 4 years of university and being 7 months pregnant with my first child. While I was presenting solutions, I would showcase the biggest polluters and why we should work in changing their strategies and show them, plans to reduce CO2 emissions, ideas to create more green spaces and inspiring people to start living more sustainably. Instead of working for them, and being manipulated in order for them to continue their greed and deadly strategies. 

    Also, I would show how the media’s data was corrupted and you clearly, can tell these publishing media companies were sponsored to keep these polluters and big corporations we already consume on a daily basis in power. 

    Media and journalists don’t publish the real deal about these big corporations, and if they do, it’s somehow omitted or disguised as the truth. Or worse, tell the truth and make us believe through social media that it is a lie, is propaganda or add it into the many conspiracy theories we already know and share. Mind games right? 

    We see it in the news and hear it on the radio regularly now, how words and images are being used to support white supremacy, racist and colonial mindset. In order to degraded and dehumanized those who are being killed and oppressed. 

    This is why doing your own research and learning how to properly get facts is vital to learn in schools. Remember, systemic racism, public health and climate change are intertwined. One cannot be fixed without the others at the same time. That’s why this inner work decolonizing, being anti-racist and anti capitalist is very hard but not impossible.

    My peers from University also for their finals presented and talked about companies that are the biggest polluters and major causes of the climate change crisis we are experiencing now.

    They got really amazing grades, and some got jobs in those companies, even though they knew that these companies’ strategies and ways of keeping minority communities in harm’s way was unethical and possibly deadly. This is what a competition mindset and greed designed inequality capitalist, racists and white supremacy system does to us. Or at least those who have to live with it on a regular basis but we now have to take extra time to educate and make clear our human rights to those who benefit from our oppression.

    I refused to work for those companies. Yes I was broke graduating from university, becoming a mother, working two jobs and building a company with no money, just the hope and courage to dare to do something completely out of my comfort zone. My mom taught me better, and I would rather be broke than give away my integrity for money. Either way, looking for jobs here in Quebec was also an exhausting struggle. In the environment and science community here in Quebec, there is racism and discrimination towards women of color and non-speakers of the French language, which is sickening. For example, my teacher in my last semester gave me some advice that pushed me to start planning and creating a space where people weren’t restrained, fighting the status quo and the system, and voicing concerns about climate change, inequality, public health, and environmental racism. “If you don’t speak Quebec french and if you are a woman, you are going to have a hard time finding jobs here. Might as well drop what you are doing and do something else instead.” Yep, I dropped out of her class and took another environmental course instead.

    I learned a lot in university about ethics, research and memorizing stuff to pass exams and how to create good scientific presentations that others can understand. Working in a low income gym facility, then telecommunication companies, then working as a waitress in a vegetarian restaurant, writing plus editing scientific papers and building a business at the same time. Is what taught me and now I’m passing down to you and my girls (if they ever get to read this one day) . The government and the education system are designed for these companies to gain more profit and slowly kill those who are more vulnerable. I started by getting familiar with building websites, then with writing monthly newsletters, then blogs and managing social media at first. Learning to network, and finding beautiful, creative, and changemaking leaders along the way, who helped us grow and believed in us. You know who you are if you are reading this ❤

    I knew there had to be ways through art and creativity to demonstrate real data and make those voiceless stories heard in an educational and inspirational way. 

    The environmentalist goal was to reduce human massive consumption, be plastic-free, and live more sustainably in order to make sure our future generations get a chance to survive. After I graduated, I gave birth to my first girl. While she slept, during breastfeeding, nap times, and working part time in a gym and lots of other horrible jobs to sustain myself and my little growing family, painful struggles and sleepless nights. The WritersYep seed was born after I gave birth to my second daughter in 2016.

    This space was created and launched in 2017, with love and for love of Earth and learning to embrace being a good human with consciousness. All from a woman who raises her daughters to be kind to others, their planet, and themselves. My mom didn’t finish school because she was forced to work to sustain her large family… who are now wealthy and they abandoned their sister when she needed them most. Learn from my mom. Don’t quit your dreams and passions to satisfy others and worse, the expectations of your family. My mom was always a nature-spirit, she would pass down her life lessons to us as storytelling, (I got it from my mama! 🙂 sorry needed to write it as I’m thinking about our happy memories together. Which in the end, that’s what really matters. Time is precious, so spend it wisely) she would listen, believe, and support her kids in doing what they love, which is what led to the journey that you are now a part of 🙂

    My other climate story was my journey in taking photos of buildings and places in New York where there is improvement in creating greener and more sustainable buildings and spaces. I also show why it is important that New York city starts doing this, because back then, by looking at the data, I already knew that this city that I love so much would one day, would be underwater due to the impact of climate change. Here is the article.

    Manhattan street on a Monday morning at 7am, 2019. 

    Then, I went to Samana, Dominican Republic.

    I came back to Montreal with a finished parenting book (Publishing soon!) , blessed gifts dipped in the Limon waterfalls for my loved ones and teammates (last day I was there it rained for the first time in 8 months!), mosquito bites (finally less itchy*_*), lower lady pains from riding a horse in the mountains for 1 hour and then walking for another hour until I got to my final destination.

    Limon Waterfalls, Samana Dominican Republic 2019. 

    However the pains were combined with a sense of joy and fulfillment that as a writer & environmentalist, were hard to describe. Since words have power, the best words for this trip were: Exquisite writing (night time), healing (meditation, sleep!, eating local & organic, yoga, dancing in the rain, tours, exploring, and meaningful conversations) expanding horizons, learning about the community you’re visiting (humbles you) and going on a self-care retreat. (definitely planning to create retreats like these for others on TravelYep 😉 Stay Tuned! )

    Even when everything was meant to fail… starting with my computer not working from the moment I arrived, among other things… anything is possible if you believe in yourself and have strong goals and ride alongside those limiting beliefs we all struggle to let go of. If you believe you can do it, then I’m telling you, you can do it. I’m living proof and I survived!

    Taking time off was vital in order to strengthen my goals and recharge myself so I can continue making positive changes for others, but more importantly for my girls and myself. They are my family and everything I work for. I hope you have been starting to save and invest to treat yourself this Christmas 😉 You know you deserve it.

    I came back with a bigger purpose and more sure of my mission and vision for the company and our team for the next five to ten years.

    Thanks to 4Oceans, the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic, Eco influencers, some awesome content creators and filmmakers and the UN environment, that reached out to me through my stories on social media while I was in the jungle! The power of social media (free marketing) and targeting the right audience for the right reasons!

    Here is part 1 and part 2 of my Samana journey 🙂 Enjoy!

    Yep, this mama was ready to start with marketing strategies, reaching more online media experts (co-op publishing), the right influencers and organizations to collaborate with, along with our affiliates that follow our values and mission. All in order to ensure that our planet’s remaining resources (one city, community or country at times, starting in January whale season in Samana) are properly managed. The goal is to aid in creating an island (as an example for other islands or cities) that embraces Eco-tourism.

    I gathered and spoke with the poorest community in Samana about not burning their plastic waste — which is a lot! Their waste distribution can be properly managed if we are able to educate the people about simple tips such as recycling and plastic waste management, composting and maybe by creating a campaign alongside other sponsors to show them how to maintain it in the long run as well.

    Sharing educational ways to embrace eco lifestyles, creating less waste and reducing plastic pollution in marginalized and poor communities, is just one example of a ripple effect that can be spread in positive and realistic ways. Then, Covid-19 happened and locked down. Everything changed, because what scientists and environmentalists were predicting later and voicing for a while that people were too busy to listen… It happened before and much more deadly than anticipated.

    I’m still hopeful and we have been working through a pandemic, living in cockroaches, some of us got covid-19 and continue working. Now, we are in the right seat with climate reality leaders and can wait to continue this journey together.

    We know that this work cannot be done alone, the unity and the power of the people is what will create the change that we need for our planet and ourselves. I believe and have been voicing to other media companies here in Montreal, in the beginning of my entrepreneur journey. I strongly believe these agencies and individuals could help continue this moment and work. By creating a co-op media and eco publishing business model with existing influencers, agencies, and other changemakers in different parts of the world, I believe we can make progress in marketing and online media and encourage people to not only care about the planet but to also live a more mindful and sustainable life. We need to encourage cities and countries that green cities ABSOLUTELY Yes! and less CO2 emissions and plastic are not the way anymore! For our health’s sake and our remaining resources on this earth.

    These are some of the missions that will go alongside our other content; blog posts, guest posts, podcast episodes and email marketing content. These are in order to make sure we influence and inspire others. But more importantly, we want to create an awareness of a healthier planet and the people and animals living on it. All for our future generations to continue to thrive for many centuries to come.

    Yep, I’m not only building an empire and helping others along the way, I’m leaving a legacy for our children’s children. Because #sustainabilitymatters now more than ever!

    I know what you must be thinking…

    That’s a lot of work! There are 7.7 billion people…

    You are just one voice. Why would anybody listen to you, right? You are going to need a lot of money and a lot of people to do this…

    Well, if nobody says or does anything, then who will?!

    September 28,2019

    Greta’s march (here is the article) in Montreal, was an inspiration and great motivator to keep taking action. Even though in this city, she was used as political gain which is pretty sad. But I was so happy that a lot of people came out and supported the climate change march.

    Eco Mom

    Participating in Futuristic February with Sustainable Duo was an experience that I learned a lot from and I was glad I got to share it with my daughters and my community. Here is the article.

    Black Lives Matter March in the middle of a world pandemic in Montreal, 2020

    The BLM and social justice march (here is article) while in the middle of a worldwide pandemic, because of Covid-19 exposing all the inequalities and social justice work that needs to be addressed alongside the impacts of climate change. Which we all know by now, it is affecting more vulnerable, low income communities of colour. Now, we need to collaborate with key news media companies and declutter the colonized and racist media strategies of today, that we all know need to STOP! We need new change makers and leaders or we need to become one ourselves. The climate community provide the tools and support to continue to fight for our planet and humanity. I’m more hopeful than ever before, for future generations building equity alongside a more sustainable planet. Do you feel it too?

    Yep, we’re going to need all the help we can get. Money will come, I have no doubts anymore. Because if you care about yourself and your health in the next 75–100 years… or care about not eating plastic food that you know will kill you faster or living underwater… then money will not be the issue.

    I know I have a duty as an Environmentalist, Writer, Content Creator and Marketing Unicorn. But more importantly my drive is bigger than myself. My ‘why’ are my girls’ future and other children in this world. If it’s the same for you, I’m glad you are here.

    I’ve been studying this for years. My mom at a younger age explained the basics of how the planet provided the oxygen we need to breathe, how our oceans and all living organisms in it are one of the main sources of creating oxygen along with trees. When she didn’t know how to explain the concepts or processes, she got me books. So when I started university in Environmental Science, it was like the teachers were reciting to me what I’d already read at a younger age. Just more updated 🙂

    So a university education helped me research better and acquire the data (science and math numbers do not lie or try to omit the truth…we all are trying to live through the impacts of climate change at this very moment). I’ve read all the scientific papers about climate change, global warming, CO2 emissions, ocean patterns and glaciers melting at a faster rate than ever before, which causes sea levels to rise…man, I even edited those papers before they got published! If knowledge is power, why wouldn’t I use my power for good? Why wouldn’t I or show others to give the right tools for all of us to be able to use our voices to speak about what really matters? Health, environment, and justice are not political. These are essentials that we need our government, big polluter corporations and wealthiest individuals to focus on and do better for our societies and for the future of our children. Integrity and compassion is vital during these times.

    They fear our unity and our collective mental strength, don’t forget our minds and spirits are very powerful; imagine if we all learn how to use it wisely. That’s why schools systems and their education is designed to keep us mentally slave to this system. Entrepreneurship, money, taxes, saving lessons, women’s and children’s rights, mental health support and living sustainably. Does not benefit a system build on inequality and colonized structures designed many decades ago. The more mentally educated, stronger and independent you get, the less the system can control you. That’s why there is so much clutter in the internet now. That’s why covid-19 has exposed all that was already wrong and deadly. But those who benefit from inequality, called it “normal”. 

    We need to keep our energy clean and vibrant, therefore we must continuously work on ourselves every day and do the things we know we must to keep ourselves educated, decolonize our minds and stay true to our journey on this earth. Changing your thoughts and behavioral patterns changes your world.

    We hope this and our many content brings value to your life any way it can. Thank you for connecting with us. We hope that you will consider subscribing to our channels and newsletters to support us on our journey, as we wish to support you. It helps us more than you know. Our gratitude is beyond words.

    We believe in you.

    *Remember we are still raising money for Lebanon, Beirut. Here is why.

    Here is the link: https://gf.me/u/ynwzwz (Donate and share)

    Thank you for your support!

    Love and Light,

    _AO.

    P.S: Happy Birthday Sofia, today four years ago was my second best day and happiest day of my life. This weekend was fun with Abuela, and she really loved that you kissed her a lot. If you ever get to read this when you are older. Remember, mami loves you very much ❤

    If you liked this blog make sure to subscribe, follow us, leave us what you think in the comments (let’s start real conversations) and share it with someone that needs to read this today.

    Edited by Vanessa H❤

    ★ Support us on Patreon

    You can view and read the journey : IG, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Thrive Global, HITRECORD and of course, here 🙂

    Where are we going next? Podcast #yourstorymatters and bringing solutions with other change makers, leaders plus amplifying those who are voiceless. Creativity for intergenerational justice unleashed. Stay tuned!

    All Rights Reserved to WritersYep ©