Typically a dog and pony show of the trendiest trends currently trending, I watched Kendrick Lamar light up the opening of the Grammys last night with wide eyes and my jaw firmly on the floor. It was the perfect mix of politics, social justice and music intersecting on the national stage. It wasn’t the typical music award show song and dance—it was art. It rattled me and stuck with me long after it was over, which is exactly what good art is supposed to do.

Kendrick Lamar, U2, Dave Chappelle - Performance (LIVE From The 60th GRAMMYs ®)

It also had me thinking about what Kendrick Lamar brings to the table as an artist. While his records are bold, politically charged, controversial and kneecappingly honest, in interviews he never directly talks about politics, politicians or other hot-button topics driving current conversations. He lets his art do the talking, tackling issues of race, media, culture and poverty through his own lens—the perspective of a talented, smart, young, black man from Compton. 

His performance last night reminded me of a Rolling Stone article from last year when he dropped DAMN. When asked about speaking out politically Lamar responds:

“I mean, it’s like beating a dead horse. We already know what it is. Are we gonna keep talking about it or are we gonna take action? You just get to a point where you’re tired of talking about it. It weighs you down, and it drains your energy when you’re speaking about something or someone that’s completely ridiculous. So, on and off the album, I took it upon myself to take action in my own community. On the record, I made an action to not speak about what’s going on in the world or the places they put us in. Speak on self, reflection of self first. That’s where the initial change will start from.”

It’s a beautiful point and one that resonates with our agency: It’s time to stop talking, time to start doing. Start in your community; start with your neighbors. 

If you ask me, it’s about DAMN time someone said it.

I’m not 100% sure who the intended audiences for award shows are, but I’m almost certain they aren’t males between 35 and 45.

DAMN Right.

Condensed

I had a lot to be grateful for in 2017: Health, relationships, a beautiful baby boy, a comfortable home and a thriving business. And yet, 2017 was one of the most stressful, anxiety-inducing years of my life. 

Hurricanes, daily business-owner struggles, travel, national and international strife, people leaving, people moving, people getting sick, things changing—all the things seemed to be happening all of the time. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of really, really GOOD things happened, too, but the human mind likes to careen toward what challenges us and 2017 really challenged me. Hard. 

I decided that 2018 was going to be the year of reclaiming—my time, my focus and even my attitude toward struggle. The biggest way I know to get there is by starting a daily dedication to gratitude, so for my Sheepspo this week that is exactly what I’m kicking off. 

The idea is based on a TEDxBloomington speaker, Shawn Achor, who did a hilarious and insightful talk about the intersection of health, happiness, success and gratitude. Take a look. You’ll be grateful you did. 

The happy secret to better work | Shawn Achor

To start this practice off right, here’s one of the things I’m grateful for today: I’m grateful for my friend Karen Walrond for sharing this with me. It started something. Now it’s your turn. What three things are you grateful for today? 

Attitude of Gratitude: A Blueprint for Success + Happiness

I had a lot to be grateful for in 2017: Health, relationships, a beautiful baby boy, a comfortable home and a thriving business.

“The absence of disease is not health. Here’s how we get to health: We need to reverse the formula for happiness and success.”—Shawn Achor, TEDxBloomington