I felt so happy, content, and blessed walking through a waterfront park at sunset with my partner.
And yet—I also felt incredibly sad.
It’s unusual for me to feel both joy and sorrow at the same time.
But lately, I’ve been living with both.
Given the current political climate, I keep hearing stories like these:
- A startup founder loses funding because she’s an immigrant.
- A nonprofit leader sees last year’s progress nearly wiped out.
- A tech worker in government is laid off—abruptly, without care.
As a lesbian, an immigrant, and a woman,
my heart sinks a little…
my resentment rises a little…
every time I hear stories like these.
It’s easy to feel powerless.
It’s hard to accept that the progress we’ve fought so hard for can be undone.
And harder still to believe that no matter how much we keep working, it might happen again.
My mind spirals with questions:
- How do we stay optimistic when we feel so out of control?
- What do I do when I don’t want to live in anger, but I also refuse to disengage?
- How do I keep contributing without burning myself out?
I’ve been holding all of these emotions—because I needed space to feel them.
And part of me judged the idea of creating from a place of anger or resentment.
Is it ego? Is it reactive? Is it wrong?
Then, while sitting with my coach the other day, it became clear.
I said:
“I’ll use whatever comes my way to create.” —Wen Hsu
Because doing nothing? That’s never an option for me.
Let’s not forget:
💡 Women in the U.S. could only open bank accounts independently 50 years ago.
💡 Same-sex marriage has only been legal for 9 years.
💡 1 in 5 U.S. entrepreneurs is an immigrant.
These rights didn’t come from silence.
They came because people kept showing up.
Kept creating.
Kept fighting.
If I want to live in a world where I belong—where we belong—
then I’ll keep putting my energy into what I can shift and create.
If I’m fueled by anger, I’ll use it.
If ego drives me to “save” myself and others, I’ll play with it.
If I used up all my energy, Il’l rest without guilt.
Then, If joy and peace light the way, I’ll keep creating from there.
Yes—I can hold both joy and sorrow and still choose to create.
I am privileged to be in a position to do something.
And I choose to take a stand:
To be the person I want to be.
To help create the world I want to live in.
And don’t forget—you’re not alone.
Loving you,
Wen
P.S. What’s something you’re feeling deeply right now?
And how are you using it to create?
I’d love to hear what’s on your heart. Reply to me! 💛