Connect the Dots:

You Gonna Luv Me…

I don’t go to the movies very often.

The last time I went was to see I Wanna Dance with Somebody.

Before that it was to see Straight Outta Compton.

I like history. And I like music history.

I also like songs that feature pitched soul samples.

For example, some of the work Kayne West did on The Blueprint and College Dropout.

Another song that features similar producing is Da BackWudz’ You Gonna Luv Me.

You Gonna Luv Me samples the song And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going from Dream Girls.

Originally, And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going was sung by Jennifer Holliday.

Years later it was covered by Jennifer Hudson, and in between, it was sung by Whitney Houston at the 1994 American Music Awards.

Constructive Consumption:

One day in high school I remember leaving the the parking lot blasting Tupac’s Me Against the World album. 

Years later I realized that our consumption (including music) has an impact on our mental health.

Years after that I developed an appreciation for the word constructive.

The root-word of constructive is construct. It means to build, grow and develop, and I think that’s a solid approach to taking care of our mental health.

I still listen to Tupac, but unlike teenage Blake, I’ve grown to be mindful of how my consumption is impacting my wellbeing.

Breaking Bad:

Figuring out what helps us individually be well is like DNA – it’s different for everyone.

And trial and error is part of the process.

For example, I started lifting weights around that same time that I realized music impacts our wellbeing.

Eventually, one of my go-to Pandora stations in the gym became G-Unit radio – which, similar to Tupac, can be an aggressive brand of rap music.

But unlike the days when I’d romanticize Tupac’s Thug Life persona, I was able to understand and manage my consumption of G-Unit.

I remember hearing a similar testimonial at a fellowship event.

A guy talked about how he’d done a Breaking Bad marathon.

Then he talked about driving in his car and getting road rage.

He said road rage wasn’t normal for him, so he wondered why…

That’s when he realized that the show Breaking Bad was influencing and manifesting in his behavior.

Joe Public:

In elementary school I attended the same building that my mom taught in.

After class I’d go to her room and watch MTV while she worked.

I still remember many of those music videos.

Michael Jackson’s Remember the Time, Guns & Roses November Rain, Arrested Development’s Tennessee & Mr. Wendal…

And then there was a catchy song that gave me feels similar to a pitched soul sample: Joe Public’s Live and Learn. 

I could have never imaged how relative that message would become.

Sometimes purpose is the product of things we never wanted or asked for.

How do we learn what it takes for us to individually be well?

How do we learn how to take care of our mental health and wellbeing?

We live.

You’re Gonna Love You:

Stay anchored to being constructive.

Make the adjustments.

And follow through.

Small steps. Great distances.℠

You know… Let’s go!℠