I’m sure I’m incredibly behind the ball, but last weekend I finally had the chance to stream “Never Say Never” on Netflix. The documentary that goes inside the life and success of Justin Bieber, and how Scooter Braun leveraged the young popster’s YouTube clout to build a global megabrand. The story is obviously impressive, but what struck me most was an exchange Justin had with his vocal coach. Paraphrased, it went something like this:
Justin: “Sometimes I just wish I had a normal life!”
Coach: “This IS your new normal. Get used to it.”
What a powerful statement! I love it, because normal is ENTIRELY relative. It is up to us to decide what our “normal” will be - and to then live it. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, as I’ve embarked on a New Normal of my own. My new normal includes waking up at the crack of dawn to exercise, balancing an exciting but very new workload in addition to new music I’m currently recording, and learning to better respect my mind, my body, and the resources given to me.
I’ll tell you now. It’s exhausting. And, like the exhaustion Justin expressed, I feel it, and want to express it! When I look at the work I still have to do to continue to grow and develop to who I want to be, who I know and decided I am, I can often grow frustrated, impatient - and terribly sad.
I’ve been learning how to sit with my sadness, though. To feel it, to understand it, and then to remind it of my commitment to my New Normal. My New Normal works through sadness. It acts in accordance with feels right to its Inner Voice. My New Normal has discipline, courage, and if need be - is comfortable standing alone and fighting for the light I know has been bestowed on me to share.
So this weekend as you enjoy the Super Bowl, take a minute to think about what a New Normal may look like to you, and then commit to fight for it.
IN TransIT,
