Friday, October 2, 2009

The Truth: The Supremes, The Beatles, and Other Self Revelations!




Okay, I read the Truth chapter of the Joy Diet. Boy this was very complex for me.

I love celebrities, in particular, musicians and music groups. Many years ago, I read a book by Mary Wilson one of the famous Supremes of Motown called "Where Did Our Love Go?". The book chronicles the life of being one of the Supremes during the 60's and the truth of the behind the scenes frolicking of Diana Ross and their mentor, producer, director, and Founder of Motown Mr. Berry Gordy. This book was written right after the famous Motown 25 show in the early 80's where the late Michael Jackson fascinated us with his gliding moonwalk across the floor.

Mary recounts in her book that Diana Ross played ugly during rehearsals for their number and acted like a complete you know what towards her and Florence Ballard between takes of the show. It appears that Mary finally faced her music and was fed up with the whole scene and previous scenes played out in her life with Diana and the Supremes and finally opened up to write an account, her truth, which set her free in this very revealing book.

A few months ago, I put together a collage that chronicled this- called Truth. My older blogger followers recognize this piece but I wanted to share this with my newer readers because of the name and how it describes the freedom Mary must have felt when she was finally able to reveal her true feelings about her experience. She was no longer in her mind protecting herself or Diana Ross. Mary took the criticisms and the consequences that went along with that.

Also, I was reminded again of who else? The Beatles... John Lennon in 1968 upon the Beatles return from the pilgrimage to India to see the Maharishi wrote a song called "Sexy Sadie" which appeared on their White Album. I was very intrigued by this song so I did some research. Turns out it was really a song about the John Lennon's truth about the Maharishi. How while they were in India things went a different direction and there was talk that the Maharishi may have tried to make sexual advances towards one of the participants. Instead of calling the song Sexy Marharishi the lyrics were changed so to protect the "innocent".

Why do I bring this up? I think the chapter on truth was one of major revelation. I think at times we know the truth about ourselves yet, we change the words of the songs of our own lives to protect ourselves- the innocent. I have found this to be true for myself and others I know. We can keep ignoring things and lie to ourselves.

For me the truth is that my body is talking to me constantly, trying to show me the evidence of my life practices.

Pain talks to us about how we treat and have treated our bodies. Our faces and hands evidence our life successes and challenges. Our hearts open or close based on how we treat ourselves and others. Do I listen? Do I know how to listen?

It's time we all became more conversant with our bodies and souls. They draw our attention to the hopes and dreams that we had forgotten. They help us create new dreams for our future! This is my truth.

Who will listen to the truth if I don't?

18 comments:

Lawendula said...

Sounds good to me, what you are writing. :) Take care!

Genie Sea said...

Absolutely! It is time to listen to the truth of our bodies! I really needed to hear that because the echo of the truth has been singing in my head. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Well done, my sister! I forgot about this art piece...one of my favorites!

Anonymous said...

I love your doll this week. It's true we have to listen to ourselves and our bodies. Thanks so much for your great insights. Have a great week.

Maree Jones said...

I love your collage - such rich vibrant colours. I agree with telling the truth to ourselves, even if it isn't possible to tell it to others all the time. I am fairly blunt and straight forward but I don't wish to be unkind. As long as I know the truth in a situation I am content, and I speak it when I feel it needs voice for the right reasons.

I want to listen to my body more too, as you saw in my post about dancing. Thanks for stopping by my blog. :)

Kathryn Costa said...

Interesting post and great wrap up. We do need to be truth tellers to ourselves.As i sit here a ponder for a moment about telling to truth to ourselves, I see this as coinciding with my feelings that we need to be our best cheerleader and caretaker. It all goes back to making healthy choices. Thanks for a thoughtful post.

Karen D said...

Thank you for sharing your truth this week. I understand what you are saying about the body speaking to you , I have felt the pain of that also and the joy as well.

Joanne Hunold said...

I love love love the question you posed at the end of your post. Very powerful! Also, I am learning to pay my attention to my body (i have an over-active mind). Your body speaks, often eloquently.

Anonymous said...

Ah yes, I can relate to the comments about body truths... beautiful post!

Diva Kreszl said...

Great post on the truth! This was indeed a very introspective chapter.

Lexington said...

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with truth. It really is oh so important to remember the truth our bodies are telling us.

Grammy said...

I enjoyed your post. I can relate to my body talking to me too. Thanks for stopping by. See ya next week.

Anonymous said...

As I read this post the Beatles were playing on Beatles Rockband! how funny! I love the "changing the words of our own songs"...that really hits home!! Thank you...see you next week!!

Kara Chipoletti Jones of GriefAndCreativity dot com said...

Indeed!!! I often wonder if we all got fluent in communication with our own bodies, would there be less violence in the world? Really. I mean if we could all truly be allowed (allow ourselves, too) to tend to ourselves thoroughly, wouldn't there be less stress, less lashing out, less jealousy and envy -- and less ego -- so less violence, etc. :) I've not read before about Mary's biography nor about that Beatles song! So interesting... Here's to listening to all our bodies are saying and living more truthfully with ourselves. And I loooooooove your dolls -- and this fabric piece you did for Mary's story -- so beautiful!

Angie said...

Thanks for visiting my blog and the positive words, it all means so much to me.
I love your collage and dolls, maybe one day I will attempt at making one, just started to learn to sew!
It's so true, listening to ourselves/our bodies we become more honest with our selves and what we need.Angie :)

Jean said...

Powerful post. I do not always listen to my body and I am dealing with that right now. I'm so glad I stopped by - your perspective was just what I needed to read today.

Thank you!

Sharon A. Keyser-Jackson said...

Amen, Sistah! When I don't listen to my body, it usually gives me some type of jolt that forces me to pay attention. I only have to learn that lesson once. Love the artwork too. My favorite colors!

Sherry said...

Fabulous! I love your words and I love your research into this..what you have learned about truth in your reading. We do keep truth to protect...I know that first hand. I didn't talk about child abuse and sexual abuse to protect my self, my sister and my father. Same reason my sister never talked about. Being able to speak it helps you to heal. thank you for sharing this wonderful post and your delightful collage.