Optimism is for the Brave
I have only written the occasional article over the past twenty-four months – twenty-four months working with Anastasia Mourogova-Millin on innovative concepts designed to attract financing-at-scale to invest in urban nature and bio-diversity. Recently we have re-defined our working relationship. I continue to believe in the ideas she is pioneering. However, we are at different stages of our working careers and lives. Partnering in this endeavour became a “job” and I don’t want a “job”. I will continue to support her and the team that she will assemble if and when asked and if I think that I am adding value.
What’s next?
Developing a pool of capital to create and sustain an inventory of housing units for the difficult-to-house – those individuals with:
- psychological troubles
- physical problems
- substance abuse issues – alcohol and drugs
- and frequently, potent cocktails of all of the above
The goal – to eliminate visible homelessness across Canada, starting in Montreal.
I don’t really know how to build or manage a building. And, I can’t imagine what it takes to care for the difficult-to-house. So, I will need volunteers / collaborators from the real estate sector and from homeless organizations. But I do understand money and will focus my energies on creating the capital pool needed to address this human and urban calamity.
Other Projects
- To re-visit the structure of this web site, At Waters Edge. I may shut it down and start a new site under my name but preserving the best of the Edge.
- If you read my posts, you know that cities intrigue me. I have started to put all of my articles about cities into a cohesive collection that I hope will turn into a book
- And talking about books, my children, my nephews and nieces, and my cousins keep bugging me to write a family history so that the stories are not lost. I am sure that the story will be of limited interest to a wider audience but I will try to leave some useful memoir.
Crazy – maybe. Optimistic objectives – certainly. But “Pessimimism is for Lightweights” , optimism is for the brave.
From Pessimism is for Lightweights:
There is power and strength in optimism
To have faith and to stay true to you
Because if you can look in the mirror
And have belief and promise you
Will share wonder in living things
Beauty, dreams, books and art
Love your neighbour and be kind
And have an open heart. Salena Godden
