"Reputation"

Related Reading:
Grammys: Reflective Moments

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As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. 

    I was always quite critical about Taylor Swift's tour entitled "Reputation." I wondered about the underpinnings as to the naming of the album. Particularly when a very famous woman who is in the public eye, would probably have to take a leap from her own own reputation, would name her album "reputation." But whilst the thought did act as a spring board, it's not a new thought, and one that I've written about in earlier writings. But this time I wanted to take a philosophical stance and relate the idea of personhood to the popular metaphor of the tree and the shadows, our reputations, or what others have decided to know about us.

    It is easy to get to know someone through the words and thoughts of others. We could call these the shadows, or what , if you are popular we could think of news reports, or how one is portrayed in the public eye. Maybe I could even relate these thoughts to myself, as someone who has decided to publish on the web, through the various social media  and internet platform. With viewership, there is always going to be opinion-ship. But the opinion-ship is not necessarily reflective of the person who is the writer. We could call these the shadows, not the tree.

     When someone is in the public eye, you know that person for who they are, as they are portrayed. You really don't know them for them. Maybe Taylor Swift was sending a message about the very word reputation? Because you have to think about it. The artist on the stage is a performer. She is Taylor Swift the performer, just like any other famous musician / artist. And this is something that could be viewed as a positive or a negative for performers, professionals, or those who are in the public eye. It is the balance between who one becomes and the root to who one really is. Sometimes public opinion-ship / viewer-ship may scrutinize, but it's important to remember that can never please everyone, and if you in your heart you know that you have done the best you can, then what more can you do? The last thing you / we need is to hear more stories of famous artists taking overdoes, suicidal deaths, or even professionals, ordinary, every day individuals who feel the same pressure, and resort to the same actions. The cure is not punishment, but rather the inclusion of compassion, compassionate care, understanding, love, generosity, freedom, and the ability to allow others to be themselves. And even yourself to be you.

My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :) 

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand written on March 12th 2019.
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