--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I started doing these advocacy…" description: "\"When I started doing these advocacy groups, it sort of propelled and compelled me to write songs, because otherwise I wasn't really sure what I was goi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cb/thao-nguyen-30126_advocacy_when-i-started-doing-these-advocacy-grou_696431.jpg" --- # When I started doing these advocacy groups, it sort of… ![“When I started doing these advocacy groups, it sort of propelled and compelled me to write songs, because otherwise I wasn't really sure what I was going to do, music-wise. I wasn't particularly motivated to write songs. But this level of humanity and spirit that I witnessed greatly impacted and…” quote by Thao Nguyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cb/thao-nguyen-30126_advocacy_when-i-started-doing-these-advocacy-grou_696431.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cb/thao-nguyen-30126_advocacy_when-i-started-doing-these-advocacy-grou_696431.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cb/thao-nguyen-30126_advocacy_when-i-started-doing-these-advocacy-grou_696431.jpg) > “When I started doing these advocacy groups, it sort of propelled and compelled me to write songs, because otherwise I wasn't really sure what I was going to do, music-wise. I wasn't particularly motivated to write songs. But this level of humanity and spirit that I witnessed greatly impacted and so inspired me, so that I felt this sort of renewed vigor to write music. As far as how grounding it is, yeah, it's the ultimate amount of perspective.” [Thao Nguyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thao-nguyen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Creative work can be sparked by community involvement, providing purpose and renewed energy for artistic expression. **In simple terms:** Helping others can inspire new music. Key Takeaway Use community work to fuel creativity. Themes inspiration community creativity Mood hopeful energetic Type personal motivational When to use this quote - songwriting - volunteering - public speaking - team projects Key Concepts artistic motivation human connection purpose Questions to Reflect On - How does community service change artistic perspective? - What personal stories can be turned into songs? A Different Perspective Creative blocks may persist despite inspiration. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advocacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advocacy/) [Grounding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grounding/) [Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Perspective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perspective/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) [Vigor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vigor/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Oftentimes, especially in the context of an acoustic song, I'm motivated to write by some amount of melancholy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/oftentimes-especially-in-the-context-of-an-acoustic-song-i-m/) [Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) > [I am motivated to write because it is what I am meant to do. It is not a choice - it is what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-wurtzel/i-am-motivated-to-write-because-it-is-what-i-am-meant-to-do-it-is-not/) [Elizabeth Wurtzel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-wurtzel/) > [“You have to pay for this view (onto which he looks while writing), so our expenses keep us pretty motivated to write. It's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-conroy/you-have-to-pay-for-this-view-onto-which-he-looks-while-writing-so/) [Pat Conroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-conroy/) > [Basically, I'm motivated to write about sociopolitical issues as well as relationships. I think those themes have stayed with me throughout my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-cliff/basically-i-m-motivated-to-write-about-sociopolitical-issues-as-well/) [Jimmy Cliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-cliff/) > [I was motivated to write about violence because I believe it's not unusual. I see it as just a part of life, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-sebold/i-was-motivated-to-write-about-violence-because-i-believe-it-s-not/) [Alice Sebold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-sebold/) > [One of the things that has always motivated me to write is the desire to get it out and look at it in an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-simon/one-of-the-things-that-has-always-motivated-me-to-write-is-the-desire/) [Carly Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-simon/) > [Some of the folks we see are in for defending themselves against their abusers, or drug charges that, because of the California state prison…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thao-nguyen/some-of-the-folks-we-see-are-in-for-defending-themselves-against/) [Thao Nguyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thao-nguyen/) > [Without grounding, it's easy to embrace the 'baller' lifestyle: dropping out of tech, throwing money at cars, boats and real estate, and slipping into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holmes/without-grounding-it-s-easy-to-embrace-the-baller-lifestyle-dropping/) [Ryan Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holmes/) > [In order to pin down reality as realilty, we need another reality to relativize the first. Yet that other reality requires a third reality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/in-order-to-pin-down-reality-as-realilty-we-need-another-reality-to/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [No one's going to be able to operate without a grounding in the basic sciences. Language would be helpful, although English is becoming increasingly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-murdoch/no-one-s-going-to-be-able-to-operate-without-a-grounding-in-the-basic/) [Rupert Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-murdoch/) > [I live in New York. I have an amazing apartment over there; I have this amazing life over there that's full of glamour. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-trunfio/i-live-in-new-york-i-have-an-amazing-apartment-over-there-i-have-this/) [Nicole Trunfio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-trunfio/) > [The very act of faith by which we receive Christ is an act of the utter renunciation of self, and all its works, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-hopkins/the-very-act-of-faith-by-which-we-receive-christ-is-an-act-of-the/) [Mark Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-hopkins/) > [For me the bare feet are grounding. I'm connected to the Earth in a way that I cannot be any other way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhiannon-giddens/for-me-the-bare-feet-are-grounding-i-m-connected-to-the-earth-in-a/) [Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) > [Buddhist practice is the grounding for this work, this life, this way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-halifax/buddhist-practice-is-the-grounding-for-this-work-this-life-this-way/) [Joan Halifax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-halifax/) > [All the world’s major religions, with their emphasis on love, compassion, patience, tolerance and forgiveness, can and do promote inner values. But the reality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/all-the-world-s-major-religions-with-their-emphasis-on-love/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) ## More by Thao Nguyen > [I think it's really important for the audience to feel connected, and when it's good it's this amazing, symbiotic relationship. I try to give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thao-nguyen/i-think-it-s-really-important-for-the-audience-to-feel-connected-and/) [Thao Nguyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thao-nguyen/) > [I've always felt for little children because I love the way they fashion sentences - their vocabulary is limited. They have to navigate around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thao-nguyen/i-ve-always-felt-for-little-children-because-i-love-the-way-they/) [Thao Nguyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thao-nguyen/) > [I like to say that I was raised by sitcoms, and that my personality is comprised of different characters. Darlene from Roseanne, Denise from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thao-nguyen/i-like-to-say-that-i-was-raised-by-sitcoms-and-that-my-personality-is/) [Thao Nguyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thao-nguyen/) > [Sometimes I say things in interviews and then I see them in print and I think, "What an asshole."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thao-nguyen/sometimes-i-say-things-in-interviews-and-then-i-see-them-in-print-and/) [Thao Nguyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thao-nguyen/) > [I think that the activism I've become involved with informs and enhances my life in a lot of ways, and definitely career-wise. This record…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thao-nguyen/i-think-that-the-activism-i-ve-become-involved-with-informs-and/) [Thao Nguyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thao-nguyen/) > [Some of the folks we see are in for defending themselves against their abusers, or drug charges that, because of the California state prison…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thao-nguyen/some-of-the-folks-we-see-are-in-for-defending-themselves-against/) [Thao Nguyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thao-nguyen/) > [I try not to read reviews because I know how sensitive I am and how debilitating it is and how it follows me around.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thao-nguyen/i-try-not-to-read-reviews-because-i-know-how-sensitive-i-am-and-how/) [Thao Nguyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thao-nguyen/) > [I think I'm more effective as an activist if I stay in music, to be honest. Music, the way it reaches people and transcends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thao-nguyen/i-think-i-m-more-effective-as-an-activist-if-i-stay-in-music-to-be/) [Thao Nguyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thao-nguyen/) > [When I am onstage, singing all these songs... what's going through my mind is nothing. That's what's so amazing about meditation - achieving that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thao-nguyen/when-i-am-onstage-singing-all-these-songs-what-s-going-through-my/) [Thao Nguyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thao-nguyen/) > [It's really easy to not be satisfied with your work, or people, or anything, but I really embrace the idea of not having to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thao-nguyen/it-s-really-easy-to-not-be-satisfied-with-your-work-or-people-or/) [Thao Nguyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thao-nguyen/) > [I think meditating on tour is integral. It's a priority, because everything is so chaotic, and the calmer you stay, the calmer everybody is.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thao-nguyen/i-think-meditating-on-tour-is-integral-it-s-a-priority-because/) [Thao Nguyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thao-nguyen/) > [So when I can, I try my best to meditate a little bit every day, and that helps a lot. I think that just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thao-nguyen/so-when-i-can-i-try-my-best-to-meditate-a-little-bit-every-day-and/) [Thao Nguyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thao-nguyen/) > [I've always had this vision that the touring lifestyle is so unsustainable. But I have faith that I can do it, and I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thao-nguyen/i-ve-always-had-this-vision-that-the-touring-lifestyle-is-so/) [Thao Nguyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thao-nguyen/) > [I feel I must acknowledge that gay people are, generally speaking, funnier, more self-sufficient, and better in crises and I should step aside and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thao-nguyen/i-feel-i-must-acknowledge-that-gay-people-are-generally-speaking/) [Thao Nguyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thao-nguyen/) > [If you're a woman musician, that is your qualifier. I've had people come up to me and say, "You're good for a girl." My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thao-nguyen/if-you-re-a-woman-musician-that-is-your-qualifier-i-ve-had-people/) [Thao Nguyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thao-nguyen/) [Explore all 17 Thao Nguyen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thao-nguyen/) ## More Advocacy quotes > [“Good morning,” one of the soldiers said. “I’m Captain Joseph Walker and this is Sergeant James Vanetten. We are members of the One-Hundred-and-First Airborne…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shafter-bailey/good-morning-one-of-the-soldiers-said-i-m-captain-joseph-walker-and/) [Shafter Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shafter-bailey/) > [“Mental illness is not something you misunderstand in this era. Get educated because bias is no different than racism.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/mental-illness-is-not-something-you-misunderstand-in-this-era-get/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [Advocacy groups, politicians, and bureaucrats use the government to advance their private good instead of the common good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-miller/advocacy-groups-politicians-and-bureaucrats-use-the-government-to/) [Joel Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-miller/) > [“There is an overflowing grace, for every great work.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/there-is-an-overflowing-grace-for-every-great-work/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“The enormity of problems like hunger and social injustice can certainly motivate us to act. We can be convinced logically of the need for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-capecci-and-timothy-cage/the-enormity-of-problems-like-hunger-and-social-injustice-can/) [John Capecci and Timothy Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-capecci-and-timothy-cage/) > [Idea-Advocacy Matrix highlights a couple of things: that good ideas need to be "sold" if they are ever going to see the light of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-daly/idea-advocacy-matrix-highlights-a-couple-of-things-that-good-ideas/) [John Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-daly/) > [“Advocacy groups in the USA, as in other countries, may not be able to silence this hateful, cowardly and deceitful attack upon people’s humanity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-engela/advocacy-groups-in-the-usa-as-in-other-countries-may-not-be-able-to/) [Christina Engela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-engela/) > [“The best advocacy is always storytelling.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-parker/the-best-advocacy-is-always-storytelling/) [Willie Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-parker/) > [“Joyfully we undertake our daily work.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/joyfully-we-undertake-our-daily-work/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“We Lesbian Avengers have built this shrine. It stands for our fear. It stands for our grief. It stands for our rage. And it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-j-cogswell/we-lesbian-avengers-have-built-this-shrine-it-stands-for-our-fear-it/) [Kelly J. Cogswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-j-cogswell/) > [“You can not protect the environment unless you empower people, you inform them, and you help them understand that these resources are their own,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-can-not-protect-the-environment-unless-you-empower-people-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“If he could be hard on kings and cabinets, he was invariably kind to his colleagues.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-taliaferro/if-he-could-be-hard-on-kings-and-cabinets-he-was-invariably-kind-to/) John Taliaferro > [“Justice is not simply argued — it is meticulously prepared, strategically presented, and fearlessly defended.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/millennium-chambers/justice-is-not-simply-argued-it-is-meticulously-prepared/) Millennium Chambers > [I have no idea what I want to do for a career. But in terms of my advocacy work, I'm definitely going to continue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jazz-jennings/i-have-no-idea-what-i-want-to-do-for-a-career-but-in-terms-of-my/) [Jazz Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jazz-jennings/) > [“Not in My Backyard (NIMBY) does not work. Opiate addicts live in our communities and in our families & they work in our businesses.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-kassels/not-in-my-backyard-nimby-does-not-work-opiate-addicts-live-in-our/) Steven Kassels [Browse all 196 Advocacy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advocacy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I started doing these advocacy groups, it sort of propelled and compelled me to write songs, because otherwise I wasn't really sure what I was going to do, music-wise. I wasn't particularly motivated to write songs. 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