I recently saw Sparkle, a movie that came out several years ago. It’s a story about a girl group getting started in Motown, back in the 60s. Some say it has some similarities to the story of Diana Ross and the Supremes. It’s about 3 sisters who perform the songs that one of them writes, and how they make it big. But because of some devastating events, only one of them goes on to enjoy lasting success as a writer and performer.
It was interesting for me to watch this very emotionally intense story because of my own desire to be successful in the music world, and also because I identified with the personal struggles that each one of them went through in some way.
So much of my growing up years was about pleasing my parents – doing what was “right” — living up to somebody else’s dreams. I think a lot of us can identify with that.
Nothing I did was enough to win the love and appreciation and acceptance of my father. He had his issues, as we all do. Over the years, I’ve learned to let him have his issues without judgment or wishing he had been different. It’s a process – a road to peace.
In recent years my focus has been caring about me and believing in my dreams — taking myself under my own wings, appreciating myself – which definitely takes the pressure off relying on others to make me feel good about who I am and what I dream.
The other thing that felt really good about that movie was watching these girls, the writer in particular, be so passionately devoted to their desires, and not give up, despite the formidable resistance and threats of the mother, and other terrifying circumstances.
It really gave me hope. It energized that place in me that sometimes wanes when I think of the music industry. It gave me a big spark!
thanks to: http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/sparkle/ for photo