July | 2023 | Written by LISA MARINO-Molchanova

Indeed, time flies. It’s the end of July, and I have no idea where this year has gone. One minute I’m discussing a specific holiday or event, and the next thing I know, BAM, it’s all in the past and cannot be relived. I know I will blink, and it will be Fall. Things are moving differently right now, and I won’t lie. It’s disturbing to my soul. Time is on a whole other level these days, and if other people didn’t acknowledge this with me, I might think I was losing my mind.

For the most part, due to illness (My migraines have been the absolute WORST.), I had to cancel this month and rest. I was battling as many as two migraines per day, and also managed to twist out both knees and sprain my ankles. This requires some talent where you do your own stunts, mostly in your sleep, and wake up wondering what the hell happened, or if a truck hit you. It’s been a rough time, and I’ve hated it.

I decided to keep to myself, for the most part. I hit the research hard (Special thanks to my assistant-in-crime. Without you, I would delegate absolutely NOTHING.), and began to put in the work on what will be a lengthy nonfiction manuscript. I am under complete silence on the subject matter, but suffice to say, this is some mind-blowing, heinous shit. As a woman, sometimes we must take it upon ourselves to really use our voice in a powerful, “change the system” kind of way. I was put in this position for a reason, but I also catch myself writing and thinking there’s no one better for this particular job. The feeling isn’t coming from a place of ego, but from a place of, “Everyone else seems to think this is okay, and it’s NOT.” I genuinely catch myself in various states of shock each day, and it doesn’t seem to get better.

If you are going to put ink to paper, do it to make a difference. There’s obviously a very real place for fiction and entertainment (Two of my favorite things to escape into.), but when all is said and done, my headstone isn’t going to say I made people laugh. I may do so inadvertently, but the message for me is clear; MAKE A FUCKING DIFFERENCE. BE A VOICE FOR CHANGE. If you catch yourself wondering what I might be up to, that’s precisely what I am doing. I’m working my ass off to dismantle something. Piece by fucking piece. Inch by inch. It’s going to come tumbling down, and it is all too necessary.

May you all have a marvelous August ahead. I’ll do my best to be as present as possible, but when I can’t be, know I am hard at work. Bright Blessings one and all.