What Does it Take?
This past weekend I volunteered for a high school theater festival that I myself had competed in at the age of 16.
Witnessing new voices emerge, workshopping their creations, and even leading a mindfulness workshop for creators looking to befriend their nerves, it was a whirlwind of inspiration and vulnerability.
First, I watched a one-act play performed by students no older than 17, and it left me stunned. Their voices, raw and unapologetic, carried political and social weight far beyond their years. Through music and acting, they made bold protests and delivered sharp, poignant commentary.
It wasn’t just a performance; it was a demand to be seen, a mirror held up to our collective conscience. It made me reflect on how often we underestimate young people and the transformative power of art when it’s wielded with fearless honesty. 🤭
Then the Super Bowl halftime show. Kendrick Lamar took the stage, and from the moment he began, I was riveted. His storytelling, both lyrical and visual, wove a tapestry of oppression and empowerment. My mouth hung open, and by the end, I was breathless.
What struck me most was the sheer defiance in it all. Both the students’ performance and Kendrick’s halftime show echoed the same unwavering message: We will not be silent. 🗣️
Through theater and music, they created spaces to resist, to heal, and to call for change. They reminded us that art has always been a form of rebellion, a way to speak truth to power when words alone aren’t enough.
I sat there after the half time show, tears streaming down my face, overwhelmed by the magnitude of what I had witnessed that day. It wasn’t just the beauty of the performances that moved me, but it was the courage. The bravery to create, to speak out, to demand better, and to challenge us all to do the same.
That day, theater and music became a unified force, and their message was unmistakable: Art is power. Art is resistance. Art is liberation. 💪
It made me think about how much power our voices truly have, so much more than we give them credit for. And yet somehow, as we progress, we forget or grow too afraid to let them out.
These performances, this art, were reminders to all of us of the importance of speaking up. Our silence does not serve us; it only serves the systems that want to keep us broken, afraid, and disconnected.
Maybe most of us aren’t taking the stage or writing protest plays. But speaking up isn’t just about theater or music. It’s about finding your voice in whatever space you inhabit. It’s about the small, steady actions that reclaim your power: creating boundaries, sharing your truth, and reconnecting with your courage, even when it feels shaky AF.
That’s exactly what we explore in my Love and Advocacy Grace & Gratitude Journaling Circle. Together, we’ll create space for reflection, guided meditation, and connection with others who are also finding their voices in a scary time. It’s a chance to reconnect with yourself and explore what resistance and healing look like for you.
Join me on February 16th from 4-6 PM PST via Zoom. TWO days remain to RSVP. Click the box below to save your spot!
I look forward to seeing you there! ❤️