This Video Made Me Cry…

I’ve been studying various medical conditions and disabilities recently. What I’ve learned so far is that these ‘disabilities’ in no way stop people from living full lives. I genuinely think there’s so much we can actually learn from people who have these long term illnesses and disabilities.

I had a habit of throwing in the towel myself in the past. I often gave up when things got hard. The amazing thing is these remarkable people do not let that even be an option for them. We can help them in ways but they can help us in so many more ways than we actually realise. Opening your eyes to the bravery that is their normality will actually inspire you so much.

You Were Born To Shine: A Dedication Through Music

This post and these songs are a dedication to my ghost that I won’t forget. Often the ghosts of our past are actually the hands that guide us into the future. Old friends become blurred out faces, people we once saw everyday get harder to remember. Despite this, the ones we once knew are still ever present in our lives as beacons of light shining through in the lessons we learned from them. They may decrease in importance to you but there will be the few whose importance never fully ceases to exist. There will be some you forget and ones that are impossible to forget. You may find yourself even thinking of someone in particular right now who was special to you. Perhaps you’re even thinking about something you wish you’d said to them. All of this may sound pretty deep but it makes a lot of sense to me so I wanted to share with you all.

Because they are so beautiful I’m actually going to include the lyrics to ‘Reach For The Sky’ for you all to enjoy. If you’re interested, the lyrics to ‘Shine On’ can be found here.

Reach for the Sky

Watch you waste away.
You were born to shine, left behind.
Slowly fades to grey.
Yet you say you are fine, but I fear you are blind.
How could you believe that you’ve done wrong?
You don’t believe in yourself.

Reach for the sky
I would pick you up if I could.
Open your eyes
I would pick you up if I could.

Listen to the sound,
of your days passing by while you live a lie.
Why’d you turn around,
why’d you say goodbye, was there no reply?
How could you believe that you’re not strong?
You don’t believe in anything.

So, reach for the sky
I would pick you up if I could.
Open your eyes
I would pick you up if I could.

And then I saw your face
and you were left alone
but you’re not alone
you’re not alone [x2]

Reach for the sky
I would pick you up if I could.
Open your eyes
I would pick you up if I could.

You’re not alone [x5]

Our Imperfections Make Us Perfect

John Legend – You & I (Nobody In The World)

This video actually brought tears to my eyes (yes, I’m a big softy!) because it brings together a collection of so many women of different shapes, sizes and colour and encourages them to love themselves. We are all beautiful in so many different ways. I hate hearing anyone put themselves down, especially because of their looks. I allowed my looks to hold me back from being more adventurous and I ended up regretting doing that. Scars, weight and stretch marks are all part of simply being human. I do my best to dress well and look good but I don’t allow it to consume my thoughts. I lost a lot of weight and as a result my upper arms have stretch marks and a small amount of loose skin. My arms don’t look really bad but let’s face it: you are your own worst critic. Last summer I allowed myself to get upset about my flaws and I let it stop me from wearing certain things. This year I vowed to put it to the back of my mind and do whatever I like while wearing whatever I like so that’s exactly what I did. I feel so much better now. Overlooking your imperfections can be an overwhelming task but you can do it and you can embrace the way you look too.

I challenge you to think of at least three things that you like about your looks.

Remember, our imperfections make us human and your imperfections are so perfect.

Do you want to see me naked? The media does!

Taylor Momsen of The Pretty Reckless is tackling the portrayal of lesbians in the media in her latest track. I love the moment at the end when the two ladies we thought were lesbians hold up a sign asking “Is this what you wanted to see?”. This aims to shock the audience into thinking about the images we are constantly sent by the media. It seems to have become popular to see heterosexual women kissing each other in music videos but this is something Taylor is not happy about! The video also tackles the issues of money, greed and how women are seen in society. The women featured are dressed in bikinis with one of them standing with “Not a whore” written on het back. This is to emphasise the idea that seeing women’s bodies is appealing but when they wear revealing clothes they are deemed as sluts. Taylor herself is normally seen dressed in dark clothing however here she’s seen wearing brighter colours as a sarcastic way of doing exactly what the mainstream world often wants to see.

Let’s talk about Lauren Aquilina

There isn’t many singers that catch my attention so much from one single song. Lauren’s song Fools held my attention from the first time that I heard it. It’s a beautiful song with enchanting lyrics and I can’t recommend her enough. Listen to her music and I’m sure you will hear her brilliance for yourselves. Feel free to comment with any music suggestions or let me know what you think of Lauren Aquilina!

Those hardest to love need it most

Sunrise

When I listen to a song I like to really pay close attention to the lyrics and what the writer was trying to say. These are the lyrics to a song I recently discovered by a band that’s not very well known called Our Last Night. I love the hopelessness in it coupled with the mantra of

You can make it to the sunrise.

It’s a powerful combination. Even through our darkest days there is always a reason to keep fighting. Lists, I love lists. I make lists of things I need, things I want and more importantly I make lists of the people who make this life special. It might sound strange but having something in front of you to remind you of the love that surrounds you can really help to guide you through difficult times. Music was there for me through times when I had no one else to turn to. Now I turn to music when I cannot find the words to describe how I feel. No matter what I know it will have the right words to comfort me. So here are those lyrics…

Full of despair, inside a darkness
Self conscious and scared held prisoner of war
Running out of air, buried in a sadness
Want a way out of this paralyzing world
And the sounds of the cries when a family’s loved one dies
It echoes through a vacant room where a young soul still resides

When the night is cold and you feel like no one knows what it’s like to be buried in this hole
You can make it to the sunrise
You can make it to the sunrise

Searching for a way to escape the madness
A dire need for change as we fight for better days
The hurt and the pain cut deep like a razor blade
Holding in a cry for love
Abandoned and afraid

When the night is cold and you feel like no one knows what it’s like to be buried in this hole
You can make it to the sunrise
You can make it to the sunrise

I won’t go to my grave until a difference is made
I won’t go to my grave until a difference is made, until a difference is made

When the night is cold and you feel like no one knows what it’s like to be buried in this hole
You can make it to the sunrise
You can make it to the sunrise

I won’t go to my grave
Until a difference is made (X3)

Here’s the video for Our Last Night – Sunrise