I have been reflecting a lot on the music and musings I’ve been writing, and the people who have come and gone in my life.
I started to dig deeper into my past, and with that I had found a couple of discoveries.
You see, I used to know this flame in me.
It was a very good friend. It was a bright and beautiful light.
A flame that made me fearless.
A flame that fueled my passion for life, and the very things I loved such as the outdoors, art and music.
Then, somewhere along this life line I was walking, the flame kept blowing out. I didn’t realize it at first, but these candle blowers were by the very people whom I trusted my heart with; who I thought would protect me.
It became very exhausting to try and relight this flame by myself. We talk about inner strength a lot, but the reality is we only have so much.
Having identified candle blowers in my life, and rediscovering self-kindness I’ve learnt 3 things that we can always share with others in the world:
“I understand”
My therapist says this so kindly to me in our sessions. While I understand it is her job to assist me in healing, I cannot help to think such simple words really do come across so well.
It really shows that someone cares to listen to you wholeheartedly without judgement, without needing to “fix” you.
It was through this growing glimmer of hope a few years ago that I discovered I had to do something meaningful for myself. So I went back to study music, which I have always loved.
While there were many challenges it was an important stepping stone in my healing journey as it gave me purpose again. I fought hard to live through that purpose.
The happy and sad parts, they all taught me what it was to feel human again.
It kept me alive.
I do admit I am really bad at talking about my struggles. I tend to bottle things up for fear of being a bother because I had been conditioned to believe I was so in the past.
When I was able to talk about it to someone, I was surprised to experience how powerful these two words are and realized, all I needed at that moment in time was simply to feel heard.
“I’m proud of you”
I knowingly say this to my own children all the time.
Although, it wasn’t until my mentors and a friend said it to me that I realize, these are words I have not personally heard for a very long time.
Honestly, I cannot remember the last time someone told me in person that they were proud of me for trying; proud of me for being brave; proud of me for being who I am, which is probably why I have been in a constant search to know who I am and to be comfortable with it no matter the naysayers.
When you’ve been conditioned to believe you are not good enough for the world, in everything that you do or make effort to do, it can be a very lonely place to be.
“I love you”
You would think this comes easy. In reality, it doesn’t and it’s not the case for everyone.
I was surprised by a choir group of singers I had been accompanying for a year, who said those words to me. I realized how meaningful it is to let someone know that you love them, and appreciate them.
It’s not about being romantic, platonic or familial. This is just pure love for another soul, appreciating their presence and the light they bring.
I was so amazed to witness these group of kind hearted people, share their genuine feelings this way with someone they barely even know.
I learned an important lesson that day - that I myself, have a beautiful light to give freely to others as well.
“I understand”
“I’m proud of you”
“I love you”
These are the 3 things I believe we can always freely share with kindness.
These words may seem cliché or overuse or plain simple, but they actually matter to someone who needs to hear it.
We see smiles on faces, and positivity in our meetings with people, but more often than not, the truth is people hide the weight that they carry very well.
These words make someone feel seen and heard.
By saying these words, you could just save someone’s life.
By saying them again and again to the people who matter, you are protecting their flame.
I’d love to share with you my latest composition, an expressive solo piano piece that will bring any listener or piano player to a place of longing, questioning, and experience a powerful resolution.
I wrote this piece reflecting upon challenging times managing grief, conflicts and major life changes where I used to pent up emotions, hold back on crying until it was too much to bear.
Listen to Cloud of Tears; available on all streaming platforms.
Music Video available at my Youtube Channel
Follow Me or Subscribe! I’m on IG, FB, TikTok & Youtube @estherlingpianist
If you’re a piano player, check out the SHEET MUSIC here.
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