Over the weekend, I volunteered at the Festa Italiana with the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club in North Beach— helping run a fundraiser for the soccer team I play on. Serving up Aperol Spritzes to a few thousand people on a sunny day — not a bad gig. Last year, our booth did over $40,000 in sales, and this year didn’t disappoint. It’s something the team looks forward to every year — not just because it supports the club that gives us a place to play, but because it gives us a chance to be present. To hang with teammates, chat with locals, and reconnect with a community we’re part of.
There’s something special about coming together for a good cause and seeing so many familiar faces — people stopping by to say hi, catching up between shifts, and just being in it together. It’s easy to take those moments for granted, but they really stick with you.
It’s funny how a few hours doing something so simple can offer a surprising sense of clarity. Lately, I’ve been thinking about how easily our attention gets pulled in every direction — and how valuable it is when we can focus it. Whether it’s in our work, our relationships, or the way we make decisions, there’s something powerful about slowing down and staying connected to what matters.
It’s not always easy to carve out that space — but moments like this remind me why it’s worth it.
