“Never underestimate the power you have to take your life in a new direction” Every moment is a fresh beginning. Life’s not about expecting, hoping, and wishing. It’s about doing, being and becoming.”
—T.S. Eliot
Though Cecile and I are bit under the weather literally (serial rain storms), and will be spending New Year's Eve at home, we and our family wish you a New Year of peace, joy, and a sense of freedom. In the words of Neil Gaiman, “May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art—write, or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.”
While you’re contemplating the new year enjoy the youtube video clip by recording artist, Jon Batiste called “Freedom.” [see link below]! It’s about breaking through barriers, like James Brown or Elvis Presley did to become who they wanted to be and in the
process allowed black and white people to become who they wanted to be by “unlocking something in people that they were trying to hold in. These people became beacons of freedom, and you look at the way they move and the way they express who they are onstage. That becomes the way you want to be in life.”
Whether you are going out or staying in for New Years Eve this recording will make you feel like dancing your way into 2023.
Postscript: “Freedom” earned Job Batiste nominations for Grammy awards for ‘Record of the Year” and ‘Best Music Video.'
Thanks to good friends, Jimmy and Jennifer Hunter for forwarding me the Batiste video clip
