You know you want to sing it, it’s OK…it’s just a few extra syllables.
This one felt timely because yesterday was rough. To say I was in the grips of despair downplays how upset I have been by all <gestures wildly around> this.
And while I am the type to find joy in almost anything, the plague spreading across our society and dismantling the systems that protect our citizens is making it REALLY fucking hard to do that lately.
But I started believing again.
Because I am so lucky in so many ways.
Because I have people who support me.
Because I am privileged and aware of it.
Because I can use that privilege to speak out.
Because I know that we will rebuild in time.
Because I know the future will be better.
Because Steve Perry told me all the way back in 1981 that I should not stop believing, and this eternal optimist made it her whole personality.
I believe in myself, in my magic…and therefore, by default, I believe in the people and the culture I surround myself with.
Have we collectively been let down? Yes.
Is that a reason to just lie down and die? No.
Did someone say “yes?”
I think I heard a “yes.”
If you said “yes” come here so I can hug you while I tell you that nothing is that bad. I can’t predict the future so I won’t lie and tell you it may not be s o m e d a y but as of today, August 12, 2025, we are not there…so get up, take a deep breath, and find your reason to carry on.
Your kids?
Your partner?
Your furbaby?
All reasons to carry on.
Now let’s expand that…what is something you want to accomplish?
Write it down, make it BIG, hang it somewhere you can see it daily, and give yourself something to strive for!
What is something you’re looking forward to?
Put that shit on your calendar and start a countdown! I swear you’ll be happy every time you remember that XYZ is coming soon.
Remember when we were growing up and we were taught to tamp it down? To not celebrate ourselves so loudly? To never appear too proud of our accomplishments?
I say FUCK THAT!
Celebrate yourself LOUDLY!
If you can’t appreciate what the hell you’ve accomplished, how can you expect anyone else to? They have no clue the blood, sweat, and tears that went into your endeavor…but you do. You were there for the sleepless nights and weird little bouts of paranoia so you deserve the joy that comes with it.
Wanna know a secret?
When you share that joy with others, their joy will infect your joy, which will then magnify and feed their joy—making it grow, and at some point it all merges together into an unstoppable joy blob that will devour you whole.
Doesn’t that sound amazing?
That is how keep believing.
That is how we maintain the light on the darkest days.
That is how we resist.
That is how we survive.
That is how we thrive.
Tell me in the comments, what are you celebrating?
It doesn’t matter how small or how big a thing it is…what is bringing you joy right now?
If you liked what you read, consider thanking me.