Winds of Change

Everything happens for a reason. I am true believer of that. 

8 years ago I came to New York to fulfill a dream of working in The Big Apple. It took years of hard work, “no’s” and determination to get to ABC. I left a good job I enjoyed in Chicago to try something new in television. I am so grateful for the people I have met, the challenges I have faced, the friendships I have made and the new skills I have learned. I am forever grateful for my parents who helped make this dream possible with their love and support. However, it is time to go. You know… when it’s time to go. You just know. That time has arrived for me… in the middle of a pandemic. LOL While leaving during this crazy time is bittersweet… I’m looking forward to being closer to family, back in the Midwest (with central air!) and to the adventure and challenge that’s ahead of me. 

I am returning to “Chicago’s Very Own,” to be part of News Nation on WGN America. This new 3 hour national program, launching September 1, has a goal of straight-forward, straight down the middle news without the debate and opinion you might see elsewhere. The vision of News Nation leaders for how to present the stories that effect you and me is partly what attracted me to this opportunity. I can’t wait to see it evolve and grow and share it with you. 

You know, I worked at WGN before I came to NYC. I had just finished a wonderful three year contract at WISN in Milwaukee. WGN was my first non line producing job. It was fun to learn  something new with great people. I then learned something new when I started on the Regional Desk at ABC. Now I get to take that experience with me back home to Chicago! My current job has prepared me for my future job. Funny, huh? It has all come full circle. The winds of change are blowing me back to The Windy City.

New York will always be special to me. It’s where I beat cancer. It’s where I saw my dream become a reality. It’s where my love of Broadway was reignited. It won’t be goodbye. It’s, “See you later!” As King George sings in Hamilton the Musical, “I’ll be back.” But, for now… it’s time to move forward. To keep going. Change is exciting and scary. You have to remember to live life fearlessly. As Robin Roberts said, “Why would you let fear keep you from your destiny.”

Your Reflection

What is a body? It’s a vessel that holds your organs, yes. It also carries your desires, hopes and dreams. When we think about our bodies we may think about the rolls we have… how many pounds we have to lose… our imperfections. But, what about the things regarding our bodies that to others… are perfect. Why do we fail to often acknowledge those? 

Our bodies are our temples, yet we often look at them with disdain. Working on a better me includes not just my mind, but my body. As I work to tighten and tone my temple to a way that makes me feel better... and only me... I try my best to remember to thank my skin, rolls and veins that give me life and protect me.

What do you see when you look in the mirror? I hope you see the love and hope you offer others. I hope you see the battles you have won and the fights you have lost. Most importantly I hope you remember that your body helped you through those times… with no judgement... no matter what your shape or size. 

Just be you and work towards the you that makes you amazing. Step out of your own shadow and into your own reflection of light.

A Moment In Time

People passing by—all on their own paths to destinations unknown to me. 

A piano sings out tunes, thanks to the sweet red-headed teen playing with fire. 

The boys’ fingers dancing on the cool keys. 

People are buzzing around like birds.

Some stop to listen.

Others check the boards.

Others grab a drink.

Two cops twirl their way past the piano while a dad with a double stroller waits for his wife who is buying chocolate.

A sweet treat on a sweet day to be alive.

BElieve in YOUrself

Happy Monday everyone!

It’s been the “Weekend of me.”

A weekend where I decided to unplug from social media … and (most of the time) my phone.

It’s been a busy, crazy but good past two weeks. Sometimes though, you need to unplug and be alone. In a city like New York City… packed with people…you can still feel alone. That’s a good thing and it is okay! It’s okay to want to take time for you. To do you. To just go to bed early and take three serenity strolls a day. It’s okay.

As my three year cancerversary sneaks up I’ve noticed a change. I think it took a moment of meltdown a couple of weeks ago… but I finally came to honestly accept this realization: I am who I am and not everyone is going to like or understand me. I know I can be a bit much when it comes to my cup half full, positive personality. That's just me. It’s what makes me me. I think that’s why when I was confronted about a greeting I use daily (which is not unusual and quite common) I was shocked. I was essentially being told the greeting is, “too nice and odd” and “people” are asking, “Why does Jessica do that?” I was baffled at first. I was baffled because: 

A) I thought it was silly in the grand scheme of things.

B) I’d been doing it for years.

C) I was essentially being told not be me because some people felt it made me less credible and too nice.

The fact that people feel it’s odd to be nice in the workplace... or anywhere... just boggles my mind. Being kind and nice is something we all should be. Who wakes up saying, “I’m going to be mean today!?” It doesn’t matter what you do or who you work for. We all deserve kindness. There is no question about that. Your words are the greatest power you have. Use them with thought and care. Be mindful of how you speak them... no matter what kinda of day you are having. Be kind.

So, as we start this week off… I want to use my words to lift you up. 

*You are capable of greatness. 

*Your quirks are cool. 

*You slay. 

*You being here on this planet matters. 

*Something you say or do this week may mean nothing much to you but will mean something to someone.

If someone tries to empty your cup grab it back… maybe help try fill their cup. Be your own light if someone tries to dim it. You’re the only person who can control its’ brightness. 

Most importantly…tell your story. Don’t run away from who you are. I mean… as Goldie Hawn once said, “Who else is there better to be?” 

Everybody Say Yeah!

t's a bittersweet week on The Great White Way. The factory of Kinky Boots on Broadway is closing its' doors on Sunday. As many of you know this is a show near and dear to my heart. People in the cast... past and present... all have left, and continue to leave, little red sparkles of heeled footprints on my heart.

I have seen Kinky Boots 42 times. I hope to make it the factory (come on lotto luck) one more time. 

I wanted to take a moment to write a little something to everyone who has ever been involved with this production. I know this show has touched people from every corner of the world. 

Thank you.

Dear Kinky Boots,

Thank you for raising me up when I felt down.

For telling a story of love and acceptance.

For your openness to everyone who has ever stepped into the theatre.

Thank you for singing about sparkly, shiny, sexy boots... in red. (We all know sex is the heel)

To anyone reading this... remember to pursue the truth, let love shine and that you can change the world when you change your mind.

Most importantly... "Just Be!" 

Have a Kinktastic final week at the factory and let love shine! 

Below are the links to all the Kinky Boots related posts I've written. 

https://theworldaccordingtojaz.blogspot.com/2012/09/are-you-ready-boots.html

https://theworldaccordingtojaz.blogspot.com/2013/03/sharpie-smackdown.html

https://theworldaccordingtojaz.blogspot.com/2013/03/its-kinky-time.html

https://theworldaccordingtojaz.blogspot.com/2013/03/kinky-time-part-2.html

Happy New Year!

Two years ago I saddled up at my neighborhood bar.

I didn’t even have to get into a car.

I was bald and finishing cancer treatment.

It was really quite the achievement.

Since then I moved and not visited my old haunt.

So, I walked over to the restaurant.

I saddled up to the bar and noticed it was one of my usual bartenders.

He was stirring a drink… just out of the blender.

I smiled to see if there would be a spark of recognition.

Counted the seconds like a mathematician.

After a moment I got an “OMG JESS!  I didn’t recognize you with hair!”

I laughed… cause that was quite fair.

He caught me up on his girlfriend, work and his cats.

I updated him on my health, my breakup and my promotion and he said “Congrats!”

It’s interactions like that… that remind me of what’s important.

Making memories...community…family.

That’s what we talk about happily.

The cavalry of people… the places… that make up the year… is what we remember as we spread holiday cheer.

So may the New Year be full of fun and not fear.

Loved ones far and near.

May 2019 sparkle like a chandelier.

May you persevere.

May we lift each other up and remember to ask each other ‘sup?

To drink out of a tea cup when bad news pops up…

But most of all… this is your life. Show up and soak it up.

Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Find The Beauty In Your Battle

It’s a beautiful October day in New York City. It’s not quite the crisp, pumpkin-picking, wood-burning fireplace feel yet… but October is in the air. It’s my favorite month.

It’s also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For those of you who don’t know… I am a survivor. I was diagnosed in 2016 and finished treatment in 2017 a cancer-free woman. Now, I take Tamoxifen every day and am navigating the Thriver life! 

It feels like a lifetime ago. Life before cancer seems like a past life. I am very grateful for where I am today and to be able to help other warriors on their own journeys. I am also thankful I blogged during parts of mine. The posts reminds me of how far I have come, how strong I am and how important community and telling my story is.

For those of you on the fence about mammograms… don’t be. Hop the fence and make that appointment. It doesn’t matter if your family has a history of cancer or not. Cancer can touch anyone. That is why a cure is so important to find. In the meantime, take care of you. Advocate for you.

That’s what I did when I went to my gynecologist for a prescription refill. She did a breast exam and felt nothing. I hadn’t felt anything either. I had no symptoms. It was your typical gynecologist office breast exam. However, this time she said, “Jess. It’s time for you to get a mammogram. You’re 40.” In less than a week I was getting my first mammogram. 24 hours later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The mammogram didn’t show my tumor clearly but the ultrasound did. Thanks to making that appointment… and an ultrasound tech with a very keen eye…. my cancer was caught early and the tumor removed.  

For those of you reading this battling any type of cancer. There is CAN in CANcer for a reason. You can do this. You will. You’ll have crappy days. You’ll have great days. You’ll have days you wanna get off the crazy cancer coaster. The coaster jolts, has loops and has hills. Know this. The rollercoaster does level out and stop. You’re not alone on the ride. Just keep going. Your friends and family are on that coaster with you cheering you on. I am cheering you on. Just keep holding on… cause you CAN. 

As one beautiful warrior and thriver said, "We may not have the power to control what happens to us but we have all the power in the world to control how we react to it. Find the beauty in your battle."- Nalie Agustin