Intention!
“You're broken down and tired Of living life on a merry go round And you can't find the fighter But I see it in you so we gonna walk it out And move mountains We gonna walk it out And move mountains
And I'll rise up I'll rise like the day I'll rise up I'll rise unafraid I'll rise up And I'll do it a thousand times again And I'll rise up High like the waves I'll rise up In spite of the ache I'll rise up And I'll do it a thousands times again”
These lyrics by Andra Day still resound in my heart and mind. They became more than lyrics recently. They have become a heart cry. A soul soundtrack.
Last weekend, I led a group of 25 mothers and daughters to One World Girl's empowerment day on Broadway – my seven year old daughter Charlotte in tow for the experience. Although the afternoon matinee of FROZEN was nothing short of magical - it was our time together in the workshop studio that has given me new insight and meaning in this life. Our wonderful partner organization “Broadway Workshop” brought in Broadway actresses for a time of panel discussion and theater activities prior to the show. Swing actress from FROZEN and former cast member in WICKED Alicia Albright
moved and inspired us in ways that we never anticipated.
Alicia’s warm and intuitive spirit captivated our small studio room on the fourth floor that morning. She led us on a journey inward to the things that truly matter in our lives. She called us to look at our intentions for our lives. She led us on a spiritual inventory of what we desired for ourselves. She called us to look at our intentions for all young girls – for our desires for them. She taught us to open up our souls by opening up our bodies to expression through dance and movement. As a group, Alicia led us on a beautiful journey as we learned the American Sign Language for “Rise Up” by Andra Day. She taught us to not just go through the motions, but to let the words rise from within us - to tell a story with our bodies. I will never forget the way I felt as we moved in synch to these powerful lyrics. I’ll never forget the sweetness on each face gathered in that circle. I will never forget the the tenderness of the moment – my daughter right next to me. The two of us experiencing the majesty and wonder of that shared space together.
“If we are to rise up unafraid and rise up like the waves, then we must set our life intention each day” Alicia says to us; her eyes full of compassion and hope. We stated our intentions with words and with our bodies. And we left that morning
together different than when we arrived.
Our world can feel pretty chaotic and shallow these days. Setting an intention each morning helps to give a little order and hope to our fractured lives. Our world needs more people centered and intentional if we are to ever repair the broken places around and within us. Rise up, young women. Perhaps we will change the world, one loving intention at a time.