Ask Baba Yaga: How Do I Find The Strength To Stay Open, Energized, And Authentic?

Cover illustration for The Sugar House by Rose Bailey - artist Rachel Kahn

The letter to Baba Yaga below isn't mine, the problems aren't mine, yet I have the very same question nonetheless: when you keep trying and trying and trying and there feels like no forward motion with the things you're working on (be it habits, demeanor, "resolutions" or particular projects) how do you stay strong?

This week's timely question and answer (via poet and oracle Taisia Kitaiskaia* of The Hairpin):

(Originally posted at The Hairpin HERE)

Ah - this answer is just so perfect for me as I try to create a new - and better - balance after the unkind year that was 2014. "...let wishes gather around you... sit with the crumbs... be for a while a poor queen, but a queen nonetheless." I'm going to try to do this exact thing. Thank you Baba!

What do you think of Baba Yaga's advice?

Want to ask Baba Yaga a question of your own?

You can!

There's now an email address where you can send your questions

directly to Baba Yaga herself.

AskBabaYaga AT gmail DOT com

To encourage Baba Yaga to continue imparting her no-bones-about-it wisdom (ok, there may be some gristle in there... bones too), I suggest we not to leave her box empty... 

Thank you Baba Yaga (& Taisia).

* Taisia Kitaiskaia is a poet, writer, and Michener Center for Writers fellow. Born in Russia and raised in America, she's had her poems and translations published in Narrative Magazine, Poetry International, and others.