Day 14: Expressing Yourself is a Sign of Hope
Enjoy this guest post from Julie Snider
Earlier this week, I wrote about the relationship between creativity and hope. As I looked for other writers to share with you who are working at this intersection, I ran across Julie Snider, who describes herself as a writer of fiction and nonfiction, retired teacher, Buddhist practitioner, and explorer of the world. She writes a Substack newsletter called Impermanent Joy.
When I read Julie’s work, I knew we shared many of the same values, so I reached out to her, and she agreed to let me share one of her recent posts with you. I hope it resonates with you as it did me.
"This is precisely the time when artists go to work..."
We must exercise our free speech, engage with fellow writers, and continue to heal one another
I’ve written about the human need to belong, to know that we are not alone (Belonging, Part 2) Many Americans are feeling excluded from the whole of things now. Our values—protecting human rights, upholding decency and freedom—feel quashed and diminished in the post-election shakedown. We’re angry, sad, and frustrated.
We’re in very good company. Native Americans, African Americans, immigrants from everywhere in the world have all been seeking recognition for generations. My own LGBTQ+ community also continues to struggle for full equality. I’m grateful to be living in California, where the majority of voters approved a ballot measure enshrining gay marriage in our state constitution (California Proposition 3). I know that many states won’t follow suit, and I worry for my sisters and brothers elsewhere.
All that being said, there’s plenty we can do.
Toni Morrison once said, “This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.”
For me, this means continuing to engage with fellow writers and continuing to exercise our free speech rights as artists. We bare our souls, whether in fiction or nonfiction. We hope to heal ourselves, one another, and our readers. Musicians, dancers, and visual artists alike have the same opportunity to reach in and reach out. Healing can come from anywhere, from everywhere. You don’t have to be an artist to join the party. It’s the intention that matters, the desire to make a positive difference for oneself and for others. Regardless of creed, culture, or political belief, we all want to avoid suffering and find happiness. Keeping that in mind is enough. It will matter.
We don’t always know where to start, and it doesn’t matter. Smile to someone at the grocery store. Make banana bread for a neighbor. Take a walk in your neighborhood and greet others as you pass them on the street. In all these acts, you reinforce the idea that you’re not alone in the struggle. None of us is alone in the struggle. It is important to remember that there is some very good news for our wider communities also. I won’t give a play-by-play, but you can check out two sets of examples below:
Good news for LGBTQ people: Trans and gay lawmakers elected to state legislatures and federal offices.
Good news for the environment: Millions of voters say “yes” to billions for conservation and climate.
As I continue to dream big about seeing my completed novel in print, I’m learning to enjoy the smaller wins, too. Thanks to connections with other writers over the past year, I’ve discovered places to submit essays, short stories, and flash fiction. Several have been accepted for publication. I may discuss the details in a later post. For now, I want to extend gratitude to members of my writing community for offering encouragement and providing resources.
This is no time to give in to the urge to slow down or quit creating!
Wherever this time finds you emotionally, your tribe is out there. Set your GPS and carry on with your intentions to heal and to be healed. There’s strength in knowing we can still create beauty in the world. Sometimes, it takes the world a while to respond. Sweet Honey in the Rock expresses this beautifully in the song Step by Step.
Today’s Reflection
As you read Julie’s admonition, “This is no time to give in to the urge to slow down or quit creating!” what came to mind for you? Do you agree? If so, how and where do you find the motivating to keep creating?
Julie also writes about starting small.
Smile to someone at the grocery store. Make banana bread for a neighbor. Take a walk in your neighborhood and greet others as you pass them on the street.
What can you do today to make a difference in your day-to-day contacts. If you’ve tried, how has it worked out for you?
With hope in my heart,
Annette
 | A guest post by
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As a writer retired from two professions, I allow Spirit to guide me on what I must do next as I write my memoir. Spirit is working through me to write a story that will inspire and uplift other women who are suffering.