Anna Montenegro-Duchene’s Post

Here’s what we’re listening to this month:

Day 5 of my 12 Talks to Christmas series! no.8 on the countdown is by Elizabeth Gilbert, titled "Your elusive creative genius." Find it here: https://lnkd.in/gU2wKAi7 "But, the tricky bit comes the next morning, for the dancer himself, when he wakes up and discovers that it's Tuesday at 11 a.m., and he's no longer a glimpse of God. He's just an aging mortal with really bad knees, and maybe he's never going to ascend to that height again. And maybe nobody will ever chant God's name again as he spins, and what is he then to do with the rest of his life? This is hard. This is one of the most painful reconciliations to make in a creative life. But maybe it doesn't have to be quite so full of anguish if you never happened to believe, in the first place, that the most extraordinary aspects of your being came from you. But maybe if you just believed that they were on loan to you from some unimaginable source for some exquisite portion of your life to be passed along when you're finished, with somebody else." An incredibly powerful sentiment: separate yourself from your greatness. Don't learn to expect it simply because you achieved it once or twice -- so that if and when it returns, you'll get to feel that unbridled joy again. Free yourself from the constraints of your past accomplishments, and move forward with the sole goal of just doing what you do the best that you can do it in that moment. And maybe, just maybe, your elusive creative genius will choose that same moment to shine. If you miss a day, find these talks and others on my blog's running list of recommendations! https://lnkd.in/gZh85S_Q

🎶 MUSIC OF THE WEEK: Childish Gambino – "This Is America" What do guns, viral dances, and chaos have in common? In Childish Gambino's "This Is America," they all make a powerful statement about systemic racism, gun violence, and the complexities of modern entertainment. Released in 2018, the song sparked not only praise for its genre-blending sound but also controversy for its bold social commentary. With an addictive rhythm that grabs your attention, the shocking visuals force us to confront the harsh realities often hidden behind entertainment.  🎧 The Meaning Behind the Music:  In the video, guns are handled with care, wrapped gently in cloth, while human lives are discarded without thought. This reflects America’s obsession with guns over people’s lives and references the mass shootings and violence that have become disturbingly normalised. Gambino suddenly shoots a Black man and guns down a gospel choir, reflecting the senseless and persistent violence inflicted on Black communities. This scene evokes real-life tragedies, such as the Charleston church shooting. Amid the chaos, Gambino and schoolchildren dance with joy, symbolising how viral trends and pop culture distract from deeper societal issues. The upbeat vibe masks the suffering, much like how the media diverts attention from real problems with entertainment. Gambino’s erratic dance movements (read: Jim Crow) reflect the emotional complexity of Black identity; a balancing act between joy and fear in a world that celebrates Black culture while failing to protect Black lives. In the final scene, Gambino is chased down a dark hallway, symbolising the never-ending struggle for survival in America, especially for those living in marginalised communities  🎯 Why This Matters:  "This Is America" holds a mirror to society, asking uncomfortable questions: Are we so distracted by entertainment that we no longer see the chaos around us? This message applies not only to art but also to business and life. Much like propaganda, distractions often conceal uncomfortable truths. True success; whether in media, leadership, or campaigns, requires looking beyond surface-level narratives to confront reality. 🎬 Watch the video here: https://lnkd.in/dbP8WiSW and let me know your thoughts. 👉 What other songs have made you stop and reflect recently? Share your recommendations in the comments, I’d love to hear them! credit: Youtube

Learn how to sing the popular PA Dutch folk song "Schlof Bobbeli, Schlof" in this throwback episode of "Your PA Dutch Minute!"

🎵 "UPON THIS ROCK" BY MATT-Q 🎵 https://lnkd.in/gPx5epwh "Upon This Rock" is a powerful gospel song that calls us to reflect on the importance of building our lives on a solid foundation, especially in a world increasingly chaotic and driven by fleeting emotions. In today’s ultra-postmodern era, the very concept of truth has been distorted. Relationships are volatile, reasoning is often dismissed, and society leans toward subjective emotions and opinions rather than objective facts and morality. When everyone claims their own "truth" as absolute, it becomes nearly impossible to engage in meaningful dialogue or foster mutual understanding. This song challenges the notion that every feeling or action is justifiable simply because it "feels right." True love and care sometimes mean setting boundaries and guiding others, even when it’s difficult—just as a parent protects a child from playing with fire despite their curiosity. "Upon This Rock" reminds us of the dangers of building our lives without accountability, wisdom, or a clear moral compass. Without a steadfast foundation of truth and discernment, we risk creating a world where mutual respect, relationships, and meaningful progress crumble under the weight of unchecked emotions and self-centered actions. Let this song be a reminder that truth and wisdom are not subjective, but vital pillars to guide our lives. Without them, we risk building on sinking sand, destined for collapse. 👉 Listen to "UPON THIS ROCK" and reflect on the importance of a firm foundation rooted in faith, morality, and truth. 🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more music that inspires faith and introspection. 🔔 #UponThisRock #MattQ #GospelMusic #TruthAndFaith #MoralCompass #FoundationInTruth #Discernment #MusicWithAMessage #FaithJourney

https://lnkd.in/e_ZbFagu A balanced view with many decades of public evidence as to the overall balance of his witness to global events from within his personal yin yang.

Check out my blog post A kiss, like thunder, splits the silent sky, Our bodies arc and crash as worlds collide. Each gasp becomes a tremor, each moan a vow, In this chaos of the flesh, we lose ourselves now. https://wix.to/9jrBABE #newblogpost

Check out the epic life of Don Airey, the man who has worked with Ozzy Osbourne, Ritchie Blackmore, and Gary Moore, and lived to tell the tale. Don Airey reflects on his experiences and shares his insights. Read the full story here: https://ift.tt/FVUOKE2

How would you respond to a situation which you are not fully prepared to deal with? I stumbled on this video a few days back. Bruce Springsteen leads his band in 2013 to perform a song that was not theirs, he had not sung it in ages, and they had not prepared it for the concert. They are responding to a request from the crowd. The situation is similar to what many encounter in business fairly regularly. We are required to make and execute urgent decisions with limited information. Or answer questions in presentations that we may have not anticipated. What did I learn from this video on how to persevere in such situations: 𝟏. 𝐁𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 - Bruce lets the crowd know that they are not prepared but are willing to give it a go. 𝟐. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 - Bruce used his musical knowledge and principles, his experience, and what he could remember of the song to make a start. 𝟑. 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 - Bruce guides the band into how the song would play out. He continues this as the band plays the song, and encourages them by inviting them to perform their specific skills to the audience. 𝟒. 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 - How Bruce went about this was a musical (and leadership) masterclass for the audience and they participated in and appreciated the experience. 𝟓. 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞, 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 - It is clear at times that both the band and Bruce were falling out of rhythm and with the lyrics but they continued to synchronise to deliver a great performance. I totally do not advocate anyone to simply rock into a situation unprepared. Quite the contrary actually. We must prepare as best as we can but circumstances may take their own turn and we may not be fully prepared for those. For such situations, we can ... be a bit like Bruce, perhaps 🙂 #leadership