Parts

There are many chapters in our life. We can forget this and need to be careful of
letting one big chapter eclipse our whole life. That’s not how it goes. We write our
own chapters. We write the book as we evolve. That’s what makes us human.
~ Cyndi Lauper 

There is a scene in the recording of “We Are the World,” in 1985, where Cyndi Lauper is among the many celebrity musicians recording her part of the song. I love that this moment was captured on video. There are parts showing up as I watched it (after many times over the years) of awkwardness, painfulness, awe, and admiration for Cyndi and the group.

There was a sense that, at certain moments, the odds were against her – along with the two singing the bridge part. Yet, they persevered. They pushed through and that was the key. And as I watched the many other singers in the scene, even with the tension there is a great deal of support for her, through words of encouragement, lightness, with others sitting back, while letting her work through it seeming to allow for her creative, courageous, confident, and calmer parts to emerge - the essential parts of the Self to lead the way.

While there were likely parts showing up for her – fear, insecurity, doubt, self-criticism – they did not dominate or lead her response in the moment. It was Self led and possibly her writing a new chapter in her life.

Here’s a link to the video, if you’re interested.

How would you say you’re writing your new chapter today?