my battery is pure love

It’s the time of year when many newsletters and social media posts are rounding up the wonderful moments of the artistic year and it is so inspiring to see all the innovative work that is going on in our communities. However….. Not everyone, not every artist or every arts organization has had a good year, and we shouldn’t be afraid to take note of this as well. Constant ‘success’ is not realistic. The peaks and valleys of our careers are vital, they are mind-, heart- and/or path-changing. Usually around this time of year, I write a list of things I am grateful for and this year I will not shy away from acknowledging the valleys that have caused shortness of breath, panic, paralysis, insomnia and fear. The story of Rumpelstiltskin reminds us that naming the monster takes away its power. photo of Lucy Rupert by Walter Lai 26 Shadowy Valleys I am grateful for, in no particular order 1. I am grateful for every physical, financial, artistic roadblock. I have not consistently met these cha...