Today’s blog is on a heavier topic. I sat with it for a while before deciding to share, but I feel it’s important to reflect on who and what we allow into our energy, whether it’s a close relationship or someone we admire from afar.
Music inspires me. I have music playing in the background most of the time, whether I am working, driving, or just hanging out. Some artists have felt particularly meaningful because I believed their work reflected values I care about. One musician, in particular, had been on my bucket list to someday collaborate with because of his involvement in social justice. I have attended many of his concerts. His music has often represented connection, peace, and community for me.
Yesterday, I learned that he has been accused of sexually assaulting a much younger female musician who worked for him. I wanted to believe it wasn’t true to maintain the image I had of him. I believe her. This revelation shook me deeply. I feel hurt, disappointed, and in a way, personally assaulted. Not in the way the victim experienced it, but in the way that comes from trusting someone and believing they share the values I hold, only to realize they do not. I do not expect people I admire to be perfect, as nobody is, but I do expect their values to be aligned with mine and reflected in how they live. My heart aches knowing this happened. The music that once felt uplifting now carries a shadow of what occurred, and I know I will not experience it the same way again.
This has reminded me how important it is to be mindful of who we allow into our lives and the values we choose to align with.
Moving forward, I invite you to reflect on the people you allow into your life by:
Acknowledging your feelings:
Sit with your emotions and permit yourself to feel hurt, disappointment, or confusion.
Considering why someone matters to you:
Ask yourself what you admire about them and whether that truly aligns with your values.
Setting boundaries when necessary:
Protect your energy by choosing not to engage with people whose actions conflict with your principles.
Seeking inspiration from multiple sources:
Surround yourself with friends, mentors, family, or examples of integrity that remind you of what matters most.
Disappointment does not erase the joy or lessons we have experienced. Still, it offers an opportunity to understand ourselves more clearly and to continue making choices that align with our values. I feel this personally, and I know how disorienting it can be when someone you admired acts in a way that hurts you or others. You do not have to navigate these feelings alone. If having support feels helpful, I’m here to walk alongside you as you move through life’s celebrations, sorrows, and struggles, helping you reflect and continue making choices that align with your values.
Affirmation:
I honor my feelings.
Words to Love By:
Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. —Oscar Wilde
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. —Ralph Waldo Emerson
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. —Theodore Roosevelt
Sounds for Your Soul: