Good to Know

• Photo highlights from the 2026 World Cup (we miss it already). ⚽

• Reviews are in for Christopher Nolans’ adaptation of “The Odyssey.” 🌀

• Young man preserves 3,000 WWII veterans' stories. 🎖️

A Good Trip

I recently spent a week in Greece and had the time of my life.

I swam in the Aegan sea, read in the sunshine, ate delicious Mediterranean food, met kind locals, and had several pinch-me moments where I felt so lucky to experience this ancient country and culture.

This sense of gratitude only compounded as my trip went on, and I ultimately came home (as I often do after traveling) with a renewed sense of purpose. Plus, a few new things in my carry-on: evil eye souvenirs, olive oil, and a general craving for feta and tzatziki.

I learned a saying that encompasses Greek culture: “siga, siga,” which translates to “slowly, slowly.” It means to take it easy or do things slowly.

This is the way Greeks approach many things in life and their country (for better or worse). On the positive side, it serves as a reminder to slow down and appreciate everything around us.

It can be the smallest things:

• A cool breeze rippling softly against your skin

• The way flowers flutter in the wind

• How good a yummy breakfast and hot coffee (or matcha) hit first thing in the morning

And it can be big things:

• The health of your family and yourself

• Having a job and secure finances

• Living with goals and purpose

How often do you really slow down to appreciate these things? Daily? Quarterly? Once a year?

Remember: Siga, siga.

Sip your coffee slowly. When you move your body, be grateful for the healthy joints and limbs that get you where you want to be. We can choose to find moments of gratitude even in the most mundane tasks.

Chatting with locals I discovered the cons of a “siga, siga” mentality. Which only felt fair to mention. A lack of job opportunities and frustration with the economy came up a few times in casual conversations.

When asking locals how long they’d been in a city or doing their job, for example, I can’t tell you how many times I heard sentences that started with “I used to do X but now have to do Y.” Or “I used to live in X city but had to move here to find a better job.”

Behind the sparkling sea and island hopping lies an internal struggle that many tourist destinations are familiar with.

I befriended a local taxi driver, Christos, who took me to a few places in Athens, his home city. He was a striking old man, with long silver hair, and spoke perfect English with a charming accent.

I learned through our car conversations that Christos is a former physics professor who dreams of living in Crete, his favorite island. However, due to the lack of job opportunities and economic constraints, he stays in Athens.

Traveling anywhere is a privilege. Even in your own country.

That was the reminder Christos gave me (along with a list of islands to visit that I’d never heard of).

If you have the means and ability to travel, I hope it’s not lost on you how lucky we are to visit new places, experience unique cultures, and realize how different life can be based solely on circumstance. I hope it fills your mind with wonder and your heart with love.

-Valeria

A Good Read

A friend gifted me this book, Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, and I enjoyed its unlikely story. Backman is a Swedish author with a quirky writing style whose books often share a wholesome message.

The book is about a bank robbery gone wrong, but beneath that plot you’ll discover a group of people who are just trying their best to be human.

While you unravel a mystery, you also learn about each character’s fears, regrets, and dreams. It's silly but wise, reminding us that everyone is going through something we can't always see. Give it a read if you’re looking for something sweet.

Intentional Habit

🧿 Siga, Siga 🧿

What: Find a moment to slow down every day and appreciate something or someone around you. Vocalize it, write it down, and truly slow down to feel.

Why: Slowing down and practicing gratitude can calm your nervous system and improve your mental well-being. It also just makes the days more fun and grounded.

Quote of the Month

Share the Newsletter!

If you enjoy what you’re reading, share it with your friends!

It makes a big difference in helping our community grow. Just share this link to spread the word.