Words of Wisdom with Venita: Covid-19 Courage

Venita Thomas is a powerhouse. Venita served her country in the U.S. Army as an administrative assistant and was stationed in Wurzburg, Germany. A native Cincinnatian, Venita attended the University of Cincinnati where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management, Master of Art in Labor (Law), and Employment Relations. She also attended Xavier University and received a Master in Education. Venita is the State of Ohio certified Peer Support Specialist and will be a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) through Lindsey Wilson College.

A community-minded soul, Venita has worked with numerous nonprofits across the city, including the YWCA, Serve City, Women of Cincy, and more. She’s also an accomplished author, entrepreneur, public speaker, and consultant. When she’s not working and serving her community, Venita enjoys cooking/baking, picnics by the river, and reading romance novels.

Written by Venita Thomas. Photograph provided.

Welcome to 2022. I want to share emotional and life-defining decisions accompanied by a three day thought process.

Like many people throughout the world, I encountered losses due to Covid-19. My Covid-19 Calendar has birthed (and continues to birth) “seasons of challenges”.

The season of “courage” posed the following critical and systematic thought: “What if?” And please allow me to be open-hearted and minded with you.

“What if I had…?” The list is extremely lengthy. I began to reminisce about challenges, issues, and opportunities during my younger years and as a new inductee into the sixties. So as an educator, I asked the paramount question: “Is it too late?”

The wise response was “Yes'' for me, but not for anyone I can sponsor or support. For ninety percent of the askers, the wise response was “No.”

Courage matters; I was encouraged and empowered to resurrect my brave self and send emails, make telephone calls, and purchase cards. Emails, applications, resignations; telephone calls-mended some situations and cards terminated unhealthy relations.

As I reviewed my new list of things-to-do and updated my 2022 calendar, I became excited because the “Brave Vee” was alive despite the sorrow. I encountered the question that provoked my movement. “What if Covid-19 never happened?”

I encourage you to become courageous for yourself. Change careers. Purchase the classy, sexy little black dress you had been viewing for months. Release nonsense. Start a business. Commit to the cleanse. Submit the proposal. Join the club, organization, movement. Trend: DO YOU BOO!

Be beautiful. Be big. Be bold. Be brave.

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