I got to be part of a great night in Waupaca at Project Wishope. My fellow poet James Hamilton invited me to be part of the lineup that included an author that calls himself Love Bro Bones (why not choose your name? Why not make it a big one?) The show closed out with singer/songwriter Meggo.

Cool things happen at live events. I talked about a poem that shows the healing power of writing. I spoke for a while about…. Miey Cyrus’ song Flowers. I certainly wasn’t going to sing it.

But on Meggo’s playlist—Flowers! She sang it powerfully and made it her own. I love serendipity.

Here is a snippet of what I said:

I think it is through the power of words, Miley cleans the slate of what happened and reveals to herself how she is her own hero. Which I also think aligns her thoughts with her values.

So, like Miley, we should write down our pain. We can just write a letter and let someone have it. Call them names and tell them what they did wrong. I just don’t recommend sending it (although I may support you if you do). Get it off your chest and you will feel better.

Now, if you go back and transform what you have written into a poem or a piece of prose or a piece of art, you can take the focus away from that person that hurt you and put the focus on where it should be.

Yourself and your inner strength.