“I believe in the limitlessness of humans. We’re capable of incredible things. At times, that realization is frightening.” – Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys is without question a supremely talented artist. Her voice is magical and captivating. Her musical ability is truly a gift from God that has impacted so many of us. We all have artists who we feel deeply connected with. Their songs have spoken into our experiences and we’ve sung them countless times over. Alicia has been that artist in my life. The days when I didn’t think it was possible to love any more, this glorified shower singer would be blasting out “If I Ain’t Got You.” The days when I was feeling down and like life had kicked me hard in the midsection I would pull myself up again and be left with unlimited belief that I can achieve anything I put my heart and soul into with “Empire State of Mind.”
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Words to live by
Alicia is not only a great songwriter but truly inspirational in her passion to uplift women, fight for diversity, equality, and love in a world with so much hate, so much divisiveness and so much anger. Those who stand for love, equality, diversity and the empowerment of all people are much needed at the forefront of the conversation in 2017. The more of us that learn to fight hate and unite in the things we share, the better it will be for humanity in the long run.
Aria Awards 2013 in Sydney Australia (Credit: Eva Rinaldi)
1. Believe In Yourself
“I’ve learned that while I’d be a fool not to stay open to the advice and experiences of the smart, amazing people in my life, I also need to listen to what I have to say.”
2. Family Matters
“I love children and I love family and I love that interaction. Because I had a really close relationship with my mother, I understand that deep powerful love, and it’s so beautiful. To be a mother to a child is the most brilliant gift; it’s gorgeous.”
3. Be Authentic
“I’m a very positive person, but this whole concept of having to always be nice, always smiling, always happy, that’s not real. It was like I was wearing a mask. I was becoming this perfectly chiselled sculpture, and that was bad. That took a long time to understand.”
A Special Moment
One moment I’ll always remember is when Lauren Diaz auditioned on The Voice 2016. The feeling and expression in Lauren’s performance. The child-like emotion when Alicia went to hug her. Her inability to control herself. The fact that she grew up playing the piano and singing all of Alicia’s music. The moment in which she died and went to heaven when Alicia serenaded her. Lauren felt and expressed the feelings of thousands of fans whose lives have been impacted through the music of Alicia Keys and that’s why nearly 22 million people have watched the video.
Thank you
Thank you. For your music, your character and your continued message of belief, love, and authenticity. It’s not forgotten and means the world to many.
