Two simple threes, combined, make 33 — and today, that’s me 📆

I often share my thoughts, reflections, and dreams, but mostly, I keep the most open conversations for my closest ones. Today, I just want to look back and recall a few significant moments that have been a part of my journey since 1990:

• 1991 – The collapse of the Soviet Union and the restoration of independence for my beloved Ukraine. A moment that redefined the future of our country 🇺🇦
• 2001 – The tragic terrorist attacks in New York. It made me realize deeply that I couldn’t stay “out of politics.” This was the point when I understood that terrorism must be eradicated from the face of the earth. Unfortunately, my memories and notes about this are left behind with my history teacher — forgotten during the move 🗽
• 2004 – The Orange Revolution. My first conscious step into activism. Although I couldn’t yet vote, I made my voice heard at Maidan. We stood together because in unity, there is strength. “Together we are many, and we cannot be defeated” 🟧
• 2008 – The financial crisis. I witnessed it as a passive observer since I was still a Bible college student. My immersion in the global economic process was yet to come 📉
• 2011 – The start of my family. A new chapter, a new purpose 💃🕺
• 2012 – The birth of Miriam. A new life status with a lot of learning ahead. Parenthood changes everything 👶
• 2013 – Another attempt to steal our freedom, another Maidan, another revolution. This time, early on, I injured my leg badly.  I spent a lot of time in a cast and on crutches, feeling helpless. My contribution turned into prayers and helping as much as I could 🦵 🙏
• 2014 – The undeclared war, the shameful annexation of our territories, political and economic instability. Toward the end of the summer, my daughter Miriam fell seriously ill — pneumonia with complications due to incorrect treatment. Almost two years old, her condition was critical. Pyelonephritis and treatments for her kidneys and stomach after endless medication, injections, and IVs took over 1.5-2 years of her life 🏥
• 2015 – 💥 The war continued. Inflation was rising. We were still fighting the “chronic” label in Miriam’s diagnosis. Amid all these factors, I decided to take a big step — a pause in my ministry work — and shift careers. I left teaching vocals and fully focused on marketing, analytics, sales, and management 📊
• 2019 – 🗳️ Ukrainian Presidential Elections that shocked many. By the end of the year, a bat in a distant market “crowned” the world, and a pandemic began 🦇
• 2020 – 🌍 The world paused. Lockdowns, vaccines, and adapting to a new reality. During this time, I was consulting as a business analyst and took on the responsibilities of an operations director in a creative agency, managing and leading remote teams 👨‍💻
• 2021 – We learned to live with COVID-19. Businesses were recovering, startups were benefiting from pandemic funding, and I was getting more international projects under my belt 🌐

And then…

• Feb 2022 – Full-scale war. The goal was survival — keeping my family and team safe, maintaining work pace, and providing employment. I had work meetings from 4 am to 11 pm, ensuring clients didn’t feel the impact of our circumstances — across languages and time zones 🕒
• Feb 2022 – Blackouts. More questions than answers. Despite all this, I decided to take a leap, leave my previous job, and launch my own IT outsourcing company with hopes of building our products and contributing to Ukraine’s victory 🇺🇦

Our first working day was a volunteer trip to pick up a car we raised funds for, for the military unit 🚙

• 2023 – A global crisis was brewing, the war continued (still undeclared since 2014), and the distance from my family stretched around 1,000 km. 🌍 Dreams and a desire for victory kept me going even when uncertainty loomed. Health issues among loved ones, surgeries, loss of places we planned to live — yet, you know, while you’re alive, you have to fight! ✊

While you are alive, you need to move forward, thank your family, loved ones, our Ukrainian defenders, and God 🙏

NEVER give up, because you are still here — VICTORY IS AHEAD! 🇺🇦

Live, breathe freely, inspire others, and help as much as you can — because these are the fruits that will remain after you 🫂