Hey everyone! Hope you are all feeling good and getting ready to embrace Spring time soon. Or if you’re one of those like me that struggles with hay fever and seasonal allergies… buckle up ‘cuz we’ll be on a wild ride soon! 😀 Not much of a music-related post for this month, however very meaningful and hopefully an answer to some of you. The hardest part of this pandemic for me as an educator wasn’t just being away from my classrooms, studios or student-filled halls, but it was hearing how isolating and hard life became for some of you. We are now seeing a bit of light at the end of this dark tunnel, although still now I do receive emails and messages from artists struggling to cope with feelings like loneliness, sadness, or feeling uninspired and demotivated. I’m sure I can speak for everyone here when I say that at some point throughout these last two years we all hit at least one of those moods, maybe some of us longer than others. And that is 100% ok. I believe that allowing your body and mind to feel different emotions is always key to self-acceptance and growth in the long run.
Although I do not have many answers on how to properly and effectively deal with these moments, I did want to dedicate this post to something I found incredibly refreshing, inspiring, insightful and uplifting. ‘Channel Kindness: Stories of Kindness and Community’ is a book written by Lady Gaga in collaboration with a multitude of young authors aiming to share their journey through life, bringing the reader closer to realities that we, collectively, at times forget even exist let alone are able to imagine how heavy they can be on a human-being. Lady Gaga has always been a spokesperson for mental health especially amongst the LGBTQIA+ community, battling and campaigning for equal rights as she saw (and experienced first person) how the younger generation was being treated and perceived. So this book really captures a collection of personal stories and how each individual was able to overcome their burdens or struggles, whether they be about identity, social interactions, professional and/or personal situations.
With the aim of breaking through the stigma around mental health and wellbeing, Lady Gaga recognised that kindness was the only way to do so with. I personally read this book cover to cover in a few months, taking my time to absorb and process what each story was about and feel the inner invigoration of a fire that burns bright within; a fire created by love, kindness, compassion and respect for others. In a world where the human race was being attacked and suddenly decimated by an invisible virus, we unfortunately experienced a lot of negative behaviours from our political leaders across the world down to our neighbours or fellow citizens perhaps. And in this whirlwind of chaos, this book to me was a reminder that there are still good people out there. There are strong people out there fighting every day for their lives, trying to create a better place for like-minded people, a safe haven or a space where people can talk freely, be free to express themselves and be who they truly are or want to be. I truly hope this book can give you the same sense of relief and hopefulness I got, and may some (or all) of the stories inspire you too to be braver in your own fights knowing that there’s always someone or something standing beside you to support you.
If you find yourself interested in knowing more about Lady Gaga’s mission of spreading kindness and acceptance, I will also leave a link below to a very special interview on the topic hosted by the one and only Oprah. From me to all of you, sending good positive vibes, love, kindness and strength 🙂
CLICK HERE TO WATCH LADY GAGA’S INTERVIEW ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH HOSTED BY OPRAH WINFREY