Dear Listeners,
The last time I watched the Grammy’s was years ago. Suspending any discussion on the politics and pharmaceutical advertising, this one seemed to rise a little above the anticipated fluff I’ll admit I expected. It delivered a few meaningful messages worthy of digging out, because when times are stressful I find it important to search for inspiration to keep on.
Artists, in my opinion, play an important as metabolizers culture events and personal experiences. When they touch upon something relatable, they can help us reflect on our habitual perspectives and invite us to stretch our minds and hearts.
A few artists who won awards shared words of hope, reminders of love and revealed personal stories to not give up. Lizzo shared her camaraderie with Adele and the importance of being true to yourself no matter what, Kendrick Lamar appreciated being welcome and noted how he finally found imperfection, Mary J Blige sang about self love, Bonnie Raitt shared her humility and Madonna let us know our actions matter.
Mary J Blige’s ‘Good Morning Gorgeous’ lyrics were particularly striking. Her voice painted a story of her pain in mis-treating herself, self-loathing, self-doubt and thinking she was not good enough. Her story convincingly turned a corner into self love. Singing with her heart and soul, somehow this felt like her testimony to her journey and arrival. Here is a link to a live performance of this song with her simple and meaningful lyrics.
After her performance I listened to her other songs, and found some interviews which revealed her experience which this song was about. A long term marriage of hers fell apart when her husband was clear he didn’t want to be together anymore. In the process of waking up, she noticed how often she wasn’t treated well and accepted it. A recent interview with the Breakfast Club revealed her mature neutrality towards the ex (not minimizing his actions yet not blaming him for all her pain), and her focus on her deficit of self love and low self perception. This was the part of her being she could have a meaningful impact on. In other words, true self love changes all relationships, but first it changes your relationship with yourself. This song was a symbol of her coming around, finding loving herself, appreciating herself, being kind to herself and her gratitude about this..
This story, of being caught in a dynamic in which one person is unkind or mean and the other gets taken advantage of or is abused, it played out over and over. I think there are so many precious aspects of this she describes (and talks about), and her lyrics spell her eventual return to love.
The sun has been busy this week: https://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/LLBlVYNx
Thank you for listening. This post is public, please share it with anyone you think it might help.
SL
Sun Meditation