FLORIDA
By Karina Guzmán
Living in Balance: Anniversary Edition
25 years weaving community
There are chance encounters that rewrite our history and open doors we never imagined. I experienced one of them a few years ago, while working at a fine jewelry store near my home. A customer came in, and as I was helping her and we chatted about colors and handbags, I felt an immediate connection with her. A couple of sentences were enough for our accents to reveal our shared origin: we were both Venezuelan. That coincidence sparked a spontaneous conversation about our love for the country we left behind, the cities that shaped us, and that unbreakable identity we carry in our souls, regardless of distance or time.
Before saying goodbye, she gave me her card. I discovered then that she was the editor of a print newspaper: USA News. In that brief exchange, we also shared our academic backgrounds: we had both studied journalism in Venezuela. She left, but she planted a seed in me.
I researched the newspaper and carefully read one of its editions. I was captivated by its history, its journalistic rigor, and its deep commitment to the Hispanic community. In an era where screens devour everything, I truly appreciated the courage it took to sustain a print publication for so many years. It was then that a new dream was born: how wonderful it would be to write for those pages and return to my professional roots in journalism, but from the perspective of the woman I am today.
I decided to take the plunge, wrote to her, and we agreed that it was possible to write some articles. Eventually, I proposed a column that would merge my two facets: the journalist within me and the professional who, after 21 years in this country, reinvented herself in the world of interior design and Feng Shui. She opened her doors to me with a generosity that I continue to appreciate to this day.
This is how Living in Balance was born, a space conceived to share my greatest passion: helping people transform their homes into sanctuaries of well-being and harmony. Throughout my life and career, I have witnessed how a harmonious environment has the power to heal, inspire, and restore calm when needed. This column is my bridge to deliver that message of well-being to the Broward County Latino community, with the same love I dedicate to advising each of my clients.
In this special 25th anniversary edition of En USA News, I celebrate the resilience of a publication that remains steadfast, accessible, and useful. A quarter of a century preserving our language, our stories, and our identity. This achievement reflects the unwavering dedication of its editor, Judith Croker, as well as the talent of a team of writers, photographers, designers, and contributors who uphold a voice that represents us.
Being part of this group of people is a true honor. My deepest gratitude to Judith for her trust, for opening the door to me, and for keeping alive this monumental work that helps us stay connected. Thank you to En USA News for being, for decades, the meeting point, source of information, and a place of belonging for those of us who have chosen to build a home far from our homeland.
Karina Guzmán, Journalist and Consultant of Feng Shui applied to Interior Design.
If you have any questions or comments, or if you would like to transform your home into a haven of balance with a personalized Feng Shui consultation, please write to me at:
