Growing up, in my grandma's house there was an old black and white photo of my great grandpa leaning against a wine barrel, behind him a shelf filled with bottles of wine he’d made from vines his parents brought over from Spain and sold in his little grocery store.
When I lived in New York City, I worked in restaurants — celebrity chefs and guests, Michelin stars, extraordinary dining service and all that — but it was the wine world that really called me.
Wine changed my relationship with how I experienced my life — how I smelled things and tasted food, what I cooked at home, what I thought about and wanted to discuss. I had a way of understanding it that helped newbies feel comfortable learning about it, what they liked, and why.
For me, wine was about memory, people, places, feeling and connection.
I started thinking about sommelier school. I had dozens of tabs open on my first-gen iPhone for more than a year.
I kept asking myself, is this my thing?
Around the same time I was volunteering for Planned Parenthood, producing events all over the city. A special one my mom flew out to attend made me feel really proud and like events could be my thing.
On my 30th birthday, I remember thinking: this is exactly how I want to spend my day.
I went to school that afternoon, then popped by one of my favorite wine shops to pick up something special, and met up with a few friends for a gorgeously casual dinner in the West Village.
I’d taken classes a few times before, but this time felt different. I remember telling my aunt on the phone with total conviction, “I’m going to be a school teacher.”
The year before, I was gifted my first astrology reading. I didn't really know what it was, and now mostly just remember the feelings and only a few specifics: I’m a sensitive person. I’m a spiritual person. A teacher and an initiator. My complicated relationships with place/home and certain relationships, affirmed. My belief in possibility, core to who I am.
To this day, it’s the hardest I’ve ever cried.
Someone was telling me who I was with such accuracy, but I felt like I was being let in on it all. For reasons it's taken years of work to understand, I couldn't have found even one word to truly describe myself or why I was the way I was back then.
A couple semesters and student loans later, I left my city and brought with me ideas and enthusiasm to start something with my family. A wine shop, a wine bar, grocery delivery like I used in New York — that’ll really shake up our town, I thought.
We gathered in my mom’s kitchen and I pitched the grocery-delivery idea because three family members worked in the business.
We were asking the questions: Can we do this? What would it look like? What are our first steps?
We were excited!
I floated from one freelance gig and invitation for work to the next, making ends meet while figuring out how to get the family business off the ground.
To be continued next Saturday…
We're in a never-again-moment astrologically that's asking us to reckon with what's ending.
What chapter is closing for you?
What are you no longer willing to endure?
What's slowly been transforming in you since as far back as 2008?
Pluto (representing our capacity to transform at a core level) is in Capricorn (representing our endurance and need for discipline). Unlike other planets that move through signs a few times a year or throughout our lives, Pluto will leave Capricorn soon never to return during our lifetime.
Sending lots of love and care this weekend.
Annie
I'm accepting new clients right now and deeply appreciate knowing my name is being spoken and shared out there. 🥹 Referrals are a gift, and honored with gratitude gifts in return. Please keep sharing my name, or find a time to explore!
I work with people privately in 3 ways: Back Pocket Guidance, Advanced Coaching and Retreats in New Mexico. I customize team coaching for business partners and co-leaders. I gotta say that retreats are a gorgeous way to get shit figured out while resting deeply in a stunning location. A dream for business planning.🌙
p.s. I love this song so much, these artists I saw on Tiny Desk, and this playlist because it always helps me get shit done.
p.p.s. I'm getting my sugar fix from deglet noor dates and I'm in love. Smaller and less fleshy than medjool. A delight!
I spend lots of time dreaming about the world I want to live in. Thank you for choosing to be part of my little corner.
Whether you're an executive, emerging leader, seasoned entrepreneur or budding business owner, I'm grateful you're here.
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