Lately, I’ve been tired, like worn thin. And I’m sick and tired of being tired, but when I get like this, it’s time to self-reflect. 

Part of my ire is what is happening in our country. Our current climate has got a whole different type of grasp on me. I’ve been struggling to be present because my mind won’t stop trying to figure out how to navigate and combat the chaos coming from our executive administration. I have had issues with most administrations in some way, but this feels different. It feels scary and tumultuous. It has given me this undercurrent of RAGE that I am trying not to drown in, or use to burn it all down, or throw in the towel and go into survival mode to take care of me and mine. It feels like we are in a civil war, but not north vs. south, more like neighbor vs. neighbor. Maybe you can relate. 

Like most advocates and activists, I take my frustrations, angst, or even anger toward injustices and turn them into fuel, which I rely on to fight the good fight in hopes of bringing about change in our community. Sometimes, the changes come quickly, and most take years, but there is a constant–hope. 

For about 15 years, I have had the privilege of working at/running a nonprofit community coffee house in downtown Myrtle Beach, South Carolina that provides a temporary, safe place for people experiencing health or housing insecurities. We have organically created a space of hope, peace, comfort, support, freedom, even joy. We are a shared public space that takes care of all people. We are a place for everyone to bring their ideals and baggage and have real conversations about life. To listen and walk in other people’s shoes. To challenge. To grow. We have become a family—taking care of and building community. We love our community and are beloved. My servant’s heart and love for people led me to tend to this space. 

I would not be the person I am today without this work. I need this space more than it needs me. I have learned invaluable life lessons and adopted principles that have made me a better person, and I continue to learn and grow daily. But being a servant is tricky. You can’t give away what you have, whether money, food, or patience. It is essential to refuel so you can keep going. As fortunate as I feel to run a nonprofit focused on hope and love for our community, it is a lot of work. Our service to the community spans from providing daily needs to coordinating special events. I often only half enjoy the time because of the work it takes to coordinate and implement. One way I refuel is by paying attention to the daily miracles--yes, daily. 

One part of our community that we support and are supported by is the recovery community. I’m not in recovery from a substance, but from things life has thrown at me.

And I get to help people struggling to rebuild their lives and watch them succeed and overcome so much adversity. The recovery community never ceases to amaze me. Generally speaking, the folks in this part of our community are forever accepting of others and full of chances and forgiveness. I have spent over a decade identifying with and using recovery principles in my own beautiful life as they are the springboard from whence goodness and happiness come. 

Last October, our Fresh Brewed Coffee House community got the gift of being an event stop on the Mobilize Recovery 2024 Bus Tour. And when Mobilize was in the house, I purposely decided to accept the gift and stay in one spot to enjoy the moment that the Mobilize crew and Edwin McCain gave to us. That day restored a piece of my soul. 

We were blessed with having the tour bus parked next to our building so that we could peruse the hundreds of hand-written messages of hope left by people from across the country. We were also able to leave messages of our own to bless others down the road as the bus continued its travels.

We made new friends who felt like old friends. We ate delicious food and laughed. We peered into the heart of Edwin McCain as he blessed us with his many talents. We sang, some danced, some cried, but we all smiled, basking in the glow of the shared connection of the human condition. We got to feel the magic of being part of something bigger than ourselves. Mobilize Recovery will forever be in our hearts as a reminder of the hope that we carry. 

So, during this uncertain time, I am choosing to be still, more silent, and deliberate, to listen and learn in order not to do further harm. I am choosing to return to my roots and tenets, reminding myself of my purpose on this planet. I am choosing to avoid reacting based on raw emotions and, instead, to respond with love and understanding. I will rely on my pragmatic groundings, which include principles of empathy, respect, and patience, to ensure that I do not contribute to the negativity. I cannot run from these harrowing times. I am choosing to show up and be present. I encourage you to continue to do the same and love your entire community. It is not time for you to run or hide. We must take what we have learned during adversity and show up to guide those who have made mistakes or have not yet journeyed as long. And pay attention so you don’t miss the daily miracles. 

With much love, 

Kate

Kate Curran is the Executive Director of Fresh Brewed Coffee House, a faith based nonprofit in the Arts & Innovation District of Myrtle Beach with a mission to provide a temporary, safe place for people with health or housing insecurities through hope, grace, love and coffee.