Making Your Voice Heard in Trying Times

For the past fifteen years, I have devoted myself to encouraging women to navigate the turbulent waters of challenging times. Writing has become my vehicle of expression, a canvas on which I explore the depths of self-discovery. I have tried to inspire others to embrace this path of introspection and creativity.

These days, I observe many people grappling with fear and anxiety, their hearts heavy with uncertainty about the future. Will they be able to hold on to their homes? Will their Social Security or other benefits face cuts? And for those who are dark-skinned naturalized citizens, the question remains unanswered. Should they keep their passport photos tucked in their wallets for safety?

Writing may not be a viable option for everyone to articulate their thoughts or voice their protests, but it can help us make sense of these trying times. Just putting thoughts into words may be a way to unravel any catastrophic thinking based not in logic but in fear.

You don’t have to show anyone what you wrote. This is for you and you alone.

There are countless pathways to making one’s voice heard. Yet, as a writer, penning my thoughts is my form of activism. In these tumultuous times, writing is an invaluable gift. It provides an outlet for my emotions and a way to connect with others.

Through writing, I channel my frustration towards my local school board. They seem resistant to act as the environmental stewards my community desperately needs. I wish for them to preserve our precious open spaces. They should not surrender them to relentless development. To make my voice heard, I have written to local officials and shared my stance on this critical issue.

As writers, we do what we need to make the most of trying times.

There are times when I find myself at a loss for words and want to let it go. Letting go can be a good thing, too, bringing its own kind of peace.

As Lent approaches, I find myself reflecting on two years ago when I was packing for a pilgrimage to Israel, organized by the Philadelphia Episcopal Archdiocese. That journey turned out to be a transformative tapestry of experiences. I discovered a renewal of spirituality there, in that place where once it all happened and one life still resonates today. This renewal has enriched my life since. And so I wrote about it, my own keepsake of that time.

I won’t tell you how to wield your writing as a tool for change or a gateway to enlightenment. You know what you want to do and how you want to do it … your desires and the method that resonates with you. We are the compass of our journey in making the most of trying times. There is something better waiting on the other side. It is far more beautiful than the day-to-day struggles of dread and fear. It’s called love.

Remember you are not alone.

I invite you to share your own experiences or thoughts on writing as a means of coping and fostering engagement and community.