What struck me most was Janelle's realization that her voice doesn't need an audience to be powerful. It's a reminder that creativity isn't always about performance or recognition; it's about the intrinsic joy and connection it brings to our own lives. It's like a secret garden we cultivate just for ourselves.
Beautiful comment, Alexander! It IS about the intrinsic joy and connection it DOES bring to our own inner lives. Amen to that!! We should be cultivating an inner garden just for ourselves. Thank you for sharing this!! XO
Thank you so much for reading and listening, Sara, and to Emily for giving me this opportunity to share. This morning finally feels like the time to read people's generous comments.
Thanks for reading and listening Sara 💛 I love this series so much, it’s such a privilege to be able to host such awesome creatives here and to share a voice that is so beautiful has been my pleasure ✨
What a beautiful piece of writing, and a beautiful voice Janelle has.
I realised recently that I feel *so much* better after a bit of singing, I suppose that shouldn't be a surprise! I love a good sing while driving (best way to deal with the M1 in my opinion) and if we're at a concert, and we're asked to join in, we're always among the joiner-inners 😄
Totally, Fi! I know there's science behind it...but singing really does bring such a BOOST. Oh yes, the drive-sing. We can absolutely go for it during our car concerts right?
Ha!! Yes, I think a good way to deal with any mortoway, I’d say!! Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for reading and listening Fi. I have realised that I don’t sing enough anymore. Queue dancing round the kitchen singing with the volume turned right up!!! 🤩✨💛
Stunning and powerful. Thank you for sharing another amazing creative Emily. I related to your words "Creative acts don’t always need an audience. Sometimes, they’re just for us, lifting us up and filling us with something unexplainably joyful."
Lovely to listen to your voice here in NZ this morning Janelle. Thank you.
There’s something about harmony that brings me so much joy. What a joy to experience Janelle’s! I grew up amidst a family of talented singers which led me to never share my voice with others. Now at almost 50 I feel brave enough to sing in the car (quietly!) in front of my husband and kids or with others around the campfire. Maybe someday I’ll be brave enough to belt it out!
Thanks so much for reading and for your kind comments Kim. I know exactly what you mean about harmony, it’s like a magic spell where the voices combine and make something new that doesn’t exist in each part alone. I’m glad you share your voice with your family too 💛✨
Janelle your voice is heaven, when I read these words "It feels like floating up above the world, like every single colour, like forgetting every past and future thought." I can understand entirely that feeling... it is the feeling I have when walking on my hill, when I leave in complete silence on a misty morning - thank you so much for your words and your songs.
I am moved to tears by this post Emily, thank you for sharing such a beautiful, powerful and honest voice. Just Wow!! 💛xx
Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful words Susie. I am blown away when I listened to Janelle’s singing - the first time and every time since and I’m so privileged to be able to share it here. I love that her words resonate with your feelings of your hill, I just picture that misty morning and the peace and clarity that comes with it. Those moments of magic where thoughts of future and past fall 💛 thank you for your beautiful soul 🍂🍁
I never, or at least very rarely listen to music when I’m walking but those words really sung to me as I read them, to the extent that I may just pop my EarPods in more often! I loved this whole post Emily - so much! 💛xx
This is such a lovely post. Singing is so personal and sharing it is a very vulnerable thing to do. My Grandma was always my biggest cheerleader when it came to singing and she pushed me to sing in public, but my singing is mostly in private these days too. Can't beat No Good Deed for a song to belt out!! 😊
Thank you for sharing this - it was a lovely read. 🥰
Thank you for reading Sarah and for sharing this memory of your grandma. It’s so special to have had someone cheering you on like that. I completely agree about the vulnerability of singing, and it’s beautiful how Janelle captured that here 💛✨
Thank you. I hope so. I'm going out for a walk. The sun is shining for the first time since last sunday. Hoping to capture some beautiful pictures. And now your voice and song will come with me.
What struck me most was Janelle's realization that her voice doesn't need an audience to be powerful. It's a reminder that creativity isn't always about performance or recognition; it's about the intrinsic joy and connection it brings to our own lives. It's like a secret garden we cultivate just for ourselves.
Wow, thank you Alexander. I spent some time in my secret garden yesterday. It was very much needed and I felt the benefit afterwards
Beautiful comment, Alexander! It IS about the intrinsic joy and connection it DOES bring to our own inner lives. Amen to that!! We should be cultivating an inner garden just for ourselves. Thank you for sharing this!! XO
Beautifully put Alexander. I love the idea that our creativity can cultivate our own secret gardens ✨💛
What a voice! I finally found a moment to listen after reading this post a few days ago... Powerful!
Thank you for another great post, Emily! And for helping others share what gives them joy. 🤎
Thank you so much for reading and listening, Sara, and to Emily for giving me this opportunity to share. This morning finally feels like the time to read people's generous comments.
Thanks for reading and listening Sara 💛 I love this series so much, it’s such a privilege to be able to host such awesome creatives here and to share a voice that is so beautiful has been my pleasure ✨
Oh I LOVE this!! What a voice! 🥰 Thank you 🙏
Isn’t it awesome Eva!! ♥️
Just gorgeous 🥰
Ahhh thank you, Eva. I needed a bit of a gap before venturing to the comments section but ooooof ✨
🥰
What a beautiful piece of writing, and a beautiful voice Janelle has.
I realised recently that I feel *so much* better after a bit of singing, I suppose that shouldn't be a surprise! I love a good sing while driving (best way to deal with the M1 in my opinion) and if we're at a concert, and we're asked to join in, we're always among the joiner-inners 😄
Totally, Fi! I know there's science behind it...but singing really does bring such a BOOST. Oh yes, the drive-sing. We can absolutely go for it during our car concerts right?
Ha!! Yes, I think a good way to deal with any mortoway, I’d say!! Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for reading and listening Fi. I have realised that I don’t sing enough anymore. Queue dancing round the kitchen singing with the volume turned right up!!! 🤩✨💛
How's it been going, Emily? I hope you've been letting rip!
I'm doing that right now 🎶
Yessssss!! 😘
Stunning and powerful. Thank you for sharing another amazing creative Emily. I related to your words "Creative acts don’t always need an audience. Sometimes, they’re just for us, lifting us up and filling us with something unexplainably joyful."
Lovely to listen to your voice here in NZ this morning Janelle. Thank you.
Oh woooow. That's kind of wild that my voice has been playing out on the other side of the world. Thank you, Jo.
Thanks Jo, I love this series so much and I feel so privileged to be able to host this awesome creativity on my little publication 💛
There’s something about harmony that brings me so much joy. What a joy to experience Janelle’s! I grew up amidst a family of talented singers which led me to never share my voice with others. Now at almost 50 I feel brave enough to sing in the car (quietly!) in front of my husband and kids or with others around the campfire. Maybe someday I’ll be brave enough to belt it out!
Ooh I love a harmony too. How does it work....? Like certain notes just clash and meld in the most pleasing way.
Do you ever belt it our when no one's around, Kim? I truly hope so because it feels gooooood.
Your voice is clearly clamouring to come out.
I do, lol.
Excellent!
Thanks so much for reading and for your kind comments Kim. I know exactly what you mean about harmony, it’s like a magic spell where the voices combine and make something new that doesn’t exist in each part alone. I’m glad you share your voice with your family too 💛✨
Janelle your voice is heaven, when I read these words "It feels like floating up above the world, like every single colour, like forgetting every past and future thought." I can understand entirely that feeling... it is the feeling I have when walking on my hill, when I leave in complete silence on a misty morning - thank you so much for your words and your songs.
I am moved to tears by this post Emily, thank you for sharing such a beautiful, powerful and honest voice. Just Wow!! 💛xx
Gosh, thank you so much, Susie.
I'm so glad that your hill walks gift you that freedom flow feeling. I hope everyone has a way to tap into this.
I'm very grateful to Emily for inviting me to share.
And I'm very grateful that this voice is just something that I somehow have. I don't really know how it works but, whilst it's here, it's a gift.
Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful words Susie. I am blown away when I listened to Janelle’s singing - the first time and every time since and I’m so privileged to be able to share it here. I love that her words resonate with your feelings of your hill, I just picture that misty morning and the peace and clarity that comes with it. Those moments of magic where thoughts of future and past fall 💛 thank you for your beautiful soul 🍂🍁
I never, or at least very rarely listen to music when I’m walking but those words really sung to me as I read them, to the extent that I may just pop my EarPods in more often! I loved this whole post Emily - so much! 💛xx
This is such a lovely post. Singing is so personal and sharing it is a very vulnerable thing to do. My Grandma was always my biggest cheerleader when it came to singing and she pushed me to sing in public, but my singing is mostly in private these days too. Can't beat No Good Deed for a song to belt out!! 😊
Thank you for sharing this - it was a lovely read. 🥰
Aw I love to read that about your Grandma. Thank you, Sarah.
Oh I bloody love singing No Good Deed.
I'm looking forward to hearing Cynthia Erivo's version next year when part 2 comes out!
Thank you for reading Sarah and for sharing this memory of your grandma. It’s so special to have had someone cheering you on like that. I completely agree about the vulnerability of singing, and it’s beautiful how Janelle captured that here 💛✨
This really touched me.
Emilly, thank you for sharing and remiding me that creative joys can be just for yourself. Big or small.
Janelle, I just can feel your joy when you are singing. What a beautiful way to just be you and at the same time feel connected to your grandmother.
Thank you so much, Klamo.
The joy is contagious - that's very cool!
I really do feel like the singing was passed down somehow...who knows.
I hope you can channel some creative joy this weekend, just for you
Thank you. I hope so. I'm going out for a walk. The sun is shining for the first time since last sunday. Hoping to capture some beautiful pictures. And now your voice and song will come with me.
Thank you for reading Klamo, it’s such a privilege to share this, I keep listening to it over and over! ✨💛