PhotoCredit: Andrzej Rabiegahi
I was raised on a bizarre cocktail of The Wombles (a rather curious British show), The Muppets (I truly hope you are familiar) and The Beatles (who need no introduction).
I had a nostalgic moment remembering eight year old me sneaking into the "good room" to play my Wombles, Muppets and Beatles records. A nostalgic moment that was inspired by this beautiful rendition of the Beatle's Blackbird by Emma Stevens. It's 2.36 minutes. Listen, Breathe, Smile.
Emma's song is a celebration of indigenous language. A creative solution to bringing awareness to the fragility of the many dying languages around the world. In this video I see the power to educate through beauty, creativity and music. I saw the same in my childhood influences.
The Wombles and The Muppets taught me to be creative, inclusive and slightly odd. To come at problems from a unique perspective. My mantra's "Big, Brave, Bold" and "embrace your weirdness" were clearly influenced by the insanity of these shows.
The Beatles taught me something different. I was attracted to songs like Norwegian Wood, In My Life and Blackbird. Rubber Soul was my jam. They taught me about the importance of the quiet moments. The thoughtful moments.
We need the quiet moments. The quiet moments fuel the mad and creative moments. The quiet moments create a pause, suspending our habitual reaction and allowing something new to potentially come through.
As the world starts to see the possibility of re-opening, we run the risk of racing back to the hyperventilation that was our prior life. Allowing all the busy-ness back in. Resist that reflex. Keep some of the quiet that the pandemic gifted us. Find space to be creative. Find time to be inspired. Where is that time in your week? Where is that time in your day?