Have you ever felt out of step… different from others… like a weirdo?
Do you always feel that way?
Well don’t worry. That just means you haven’t found your tribe yet.
This spring has been filled with disappointments. Things we’ve lost or missed out on. Trips to exciting places. Relaxing vacations. Weddings, reunions, graduations, birthdays, anniversaries. The list goes on and on.
Things we’ve looked forward to with great anticipation were suddenly snatched away because of COVID-19.
Like all of you, I lost some of those things. Between my husband, Lee, and I, we had trips to Maui, Argentina, Cape May, South Africa and Lancaster, PA all cancelled.
But wait… Did I say Lancaster, Pennsylvania? What’s so exciting about that?
For me, it may have been the greatest let down of all because it was the annual Pennwriters Conference. I started looking forward to this conference the day after last year’s conference in Pittsburgh.
Now what has all this to do with finding your tribe? Or being a weirdo?
Let me explain first by saying I found my tribe.
I found a small part of my tribe (but a big part of my heart) sitting around my publisher, Demi Steven‘s, dining room table in 2015.
And then my tribe grew and grew through Pennwriters.
My tribe of funny, quirky, wonderful, inspiring writers always lift my spirits, and I discovered I’m not all that weird. Well, at least if I am, I’m in good company. Make that great company! (I am fortunate enough to have found myself part of several tribes, but that’s a story for another day.)
Yesterday — A good day — A great gift
People from all over Pennsylvania and beyond were feeling bummed as the weekend of “the conference that wasn’t to be” approached. Then an amazing group of people from Pennwriters gave us a delightful surprise–The Mini-May Madness. They learned and mastered all the necessary technology, put in the many hours of ZOOM practice, etc., and presented us with a Friday night and all day Saturday experience.
I still missed seeing and hugging everyone and all the great happenings of a live conference BUT…
My tribe didn’t let me down. From the Read & Critique evening to morning meditation to mini workshops to Q&A with two amazing authors, Susan Meier and Jonathan Maberry, it was a day filled with inspiration. I am in awe of these presenters and their generosity.
And when Jonathan Maberry referred to himself as a “weirdo” like all of us writers, I was suddenly proud to say, “I’m a weirdo too!”
Who inspires you?
I hope you’ve found your tribe, but if you haven’t…
Until next time,
The Writings of G. K. Bostic 