Last week I was stru-guh-ling. Things were feeling just rough for a variety of reasons, some of which aren't mine to share. But I was pretty sick last week, as was my husband, and so much of the world events and news had me bummed, as did some personal and business news.

I was feeling sad, and run down, and just basically a little de-motivated.

But I was fortunate to have gotten tickets to the Power to the People festival organized by Tom Morello in Columbia, MD, and go with my friend, Bobbi.

It was exactly what I needed, being surrounded by people who were feeling similar things and looking for hope, interacting with people who want to make change happen, talking to non-profits who are doing the work, and hearing from musicians who are using their voices and their platforms for impact. And I got to see legends like Joan Baez, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Morello, Geezer Butler, and Stephen Stills, none of whom I ever expected to see in concert. Memories of a lifetime, for sure.

Was this one day a fix for everything in my life and in the world? No, but the day did give me something I couldn't have gotten at my desk, or staying home: incredible music, impeccable vibes, a reminder that there's a whole lot of us and best of all, I came out of the day with renewed hope, new motivation, and new energy to keep moving forward. And a renewed commitment to do more (of all the things: volunteer, speak up, work, be present, and keep going).

I'm sharing that because if you're feeling stuck right now in your writing, your publishing career, or even just struggling with *waves hands* then maybe finding your own version of my Saturday will help you too.

It doesn't need to be something nearly as big as a festival (because that's certainly not practical, lol) but I know from experience that other things can also make a difference in our energy. It can be connecting with a writing buddy (in person or online!), having coffee with a friend who gets it, hosting your own library event, joining a silent book group, taking a walk outside with your dog (and if you don't have a dog, your local shelter probably always needs dog walkers, I know mine does!), finding something that brings you joy or makes you laugh, or even participating in an online writing sprint in a group like Just Keep Writing.

Whatever you choose doesn't have to be big, but sometimes just finding the joy or breaking up our routine can help us change our energy.

Find your people. Remember your why. Choose joy.

What are you choosing to do next? (Reply and tell me!)
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Last, I leave you with these words from Tom Morello on Saturday, that I think every author should hear, because your writing is an act of art:

"In these days, every act of art is an act of resistance. Every song sung is a beacon of light in the gathering darkness and every truth spoken and riff dropped is a bulwark against the rising tide of authoritarianism."​
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~Angela

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