There’s a Hurricane Coming to Grenada and I Have No Choice But to Embrace the Unknown

Why is life so intense though?

In my costume for Spicemas 2023 aka Grenada’s carnival

Hey Beautiful People,

There’s a hurricane on its way to Grenada, something that hasn’t happened since 2004 and 2005 when two hurricanes damaged the island. I knew it could happen again, the way history repeats itself, I just hoped history’s repetition would skip Grenada.

People often ask me while inquiring about island life, “what about tropical storms on the island?” I would always proudly respond with, “the island is above the hurricane belt so yachts actually come here during hurricane season; it’s where their insurance will cover them.” Grenada has been a safe haven. And now, it’s in the eye of Hurricane Beryl…a name that is already haunting me (no offense if your name is actually Beryl).

We are only at the letter B while in the very early stages of hurricane season which kicked off in June. There are five whole months to go before things (hopefully) dissipate. So far mother nature is kicking things off with a bang. Watching the presidential debate was enough for my nervous system and now this. But I digress. 

Not long ago I was the person sitting on my comfy couch tuning into breaking news as cameramen would follow closely behind a black or brown person as they trudged through their mashed down flat homes, salvaging anything from wedding photos to birth certificates to teddy bears. People of color suffering always makes mainstream TV.  I also remember no one coming to save New Orleans. Or Haiti or Puerto Rico. Didn’t Trump throw paper towels  at the people of Puerto Rico while delaying vital aid?

I have never experienced a hurricane on an island. In NYC yes, but does that even count? So as my mind, like a rolodex recalls the historical treatment of people of color recovering from catastrophic manmade and natural disasters, I acknowledge that if I am not careful, fear will become my own internal storm as the county braces for a potential category four hurricane. It’s either drown in fear or rise in hope.

Globally we are all embracing many unknowns. All of us are navigating things that we cannot control. All of us are battling different levels of fear. So how can we sit with intense feelings without it consuming us?

My answer is to literally sit and find stillness. Sit with the fear. Sit with the anxiety. Sit with the worry. Sit with the sadness. Sit for as long as you need to and just breathe. Observe what you are experiencing.

Questions as You Sit With It:

• What is behind these emotions? What does my body want me to pay attention to?

• What is in my control right now?

• What can I visualize to help myself tap into hope?

• What do I need to release that is not serving me right now?

• What affirmation can I create to help soothe my worried heart?

• If I could envision the best possible outcome, what would that be?

• Who can I send love to right now that may be experiencing similar feelings?

These are some of the practices I am utilizing right now as I embrace the unknown. As lightning flashes in the distance and the rumble of thunder mimics the grumble of a waking giant from a childhood fable. I remind myself: I have food. I have water. I have cooking gas. I have health. I have my dog. I have my partner. I have my unborn child doing flips in my womb reminding me that there is beauty on the way. 

I whisper to myself,  “I am protected.”