Energy Iz Everything

A JOURNEY OF CHANGE & OPTIMISM:
Today is my naturalization anniversary as a USA Citizen. I also have an anniversary for the day I got my green card, another anniversary for when I got a visa to study in the USA, and more and more anniversaries just for this journey—becoming an American.

When I arrived in the USA, I had to learn about cultures of the Americans. I had to learn about people from all over the world and their journeys migrating to the USA. Out of curiosity and extreme culture shock, I visited the Amish country in (Lancaster) Pennsylvania. I also visited Elise/liberty island in New York. I was moved and touched by so many human experiences filled with grit, resilience, determination, and hope. As a college student, my future in the USA was absolutely uncertain— international students are usually expected to return home and there was a greater chance that I would get back to Zambia.

Being in Maine, my life was a contrast of every experience I had growing up in Zambia. My primary language changed from my native Bemba to American English. Seafood became a staple replacing all the home/ farm grown food I had eaten my entire childhood, and hobbies never looked the same again. I learned snowboarding, paddle boarding , and addicted to the beach. This.was. the beginning of my new growth in ways I had never imagined before. It was also the beginning of new love for a country where my future was not certain. Friends in college and all the families I met in Maine became my everyday mentors. I learned a big deal about life , and not just life, but a good life.

I loved all the support I received and sometimes even just to hear someone say that my English was good went a long way.

I also made a million of mistakes including putting whipped cream on salads and putting half and half on cereal just because skimmed milk didn’t deserve the title, milk.

Zach (pictured with me) was my classmate in college who became a real brother. We took a bunch of courses together and all his friends became friends with me. As I look back, some of the best smiles and laughter of my American life came from this circle of friends.

I am very grateful to be here and to everyone who inspired and helped make this journey possible.

Humanity over all else:

2023 WHAT IS NEW:
In the last two years, our messages have been focused mostly on encouraging ourselves and others to spread energy of Love, Courage, Compassion, Gratitude, etc.

This year, we would like to take things to another level, we would like to encourage one another to be more intentional with our energy. We are introducing the “BE” because we there is evidence that we can’t spread what we don’t have, and it’s also true that sometimes we can only spread what we are comfortable with. With the “BE”, you are going to see more new designs like “Be Kind”, ”Be Brave”, “Be True”, etc. As a brand, we would like to inspire humanity to focus more on doing things that brings the most balance and fulfiment to our moments and life.

Lastly, the print size on the new shirts is also going to be smaller. I hope you like the first shirt of 2023, “Be Kind”, all in black: