Bronnie Ware is an Australian nurse who spent several years working in palliative care, caring for patients in the last 12 weeks of their lives. She put her observations into the book Top 5 Regrets of the Dying.
I'm dedicating this musical-inspired post to living into one, three and five.
I had a serious obsession with the musical Wicked for a number of years. I've seen it three times and have a special piece of my brain saved to store the music and lyrics for immediate playback. It's the story of the Wizard of Oz from a very different perspective.
My absolute favourite part, is one of those goosebumps, cryface moments as Elphaba (the "wicked" witch) belts the show stopping Defying Gravity.
Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes and leap!
The whole song is a rallying cry to shed who others expect you to be and boldly claim who you are and what you believe in even if it will be very unpopular.
Second up is a new edition to my inspirational song line-up: This is Me from The Greatest Showman. The movie/musical is inspired by the life of P.T. Barnum the creator of the circus as we know it today. The song follows a point in the film when New York society and P.T. Barnum himself shun the unique stars of the circus.
When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
Gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I'm meant to be, this is me
Look out 'cause here I come
And I'm marching on to the beat I drum
I'm not scared to be seen
I make no apologies, this is me
I love how this song acknowledges that as humans we are imperfect. That our true selves are simultaneously bruised and beautiful.
The world around us is filled with opinions and expectations of how we should live our lives. Most times someone's expectations are coming from a generous place, they really want the best for us and believe what they think is right.
Both of these songs serve as reminders for when I'm feeling afraid or unsure.When the noise gets a little too loud and I'm feeling lost and not standing strong on my own two feet. As I listen I can actually feel the music working its way in and helping me to be brave.
We are the only ones who can know when we're no longer hiding and have chosen to fly. We can find tools along the way though to help and I'm grateful to have both of these.
Being a Force for Good 