I miss the old choirs of my childhood. Groups like Hezekiah Walker & the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir, Donald Lawrence & the Tri-City Singers and Sounds of Blackness. First of all they were extra AF; from the outrageous outfits, to fully choreographed routines and of course, ridiculous modulations. Y’all remember the full concerts on videotape? I loved watching the Kirk Franklin and Hezakiah Walker ones. Sometimes when I need encouragement, I’ll revisit those golden songs from my childhood. They were usually wordy, but more often than not, the songs ended repeating the same phrase over and over again. Songs like “How Much We Can Bear” and “Jesus is my Help” get me every time. After repeating the same thing for three minutes, I begin to believe what the choir is saying. I feel my help coming. Sometimes I don’t even sing along, I just listen. The words are affirming, reassuring and comforting. Try listening to “Optimistic” and not feel lighter afterwards.
Whether or not 90’s gospel was an integral part of your upbringing, I guess today’s tip is to verbally affirm yourself everyday, multiple times a day if you must. Make those affirmations until you believe them and then say them some more.
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