RIP…
(Image: CNW Group/H&M)
Feeling inspired by the runways at London Fashion Week? With H&M launching its new clothing recycling program this week it’s the perfect time to mastermind a closet clean-out and clear some space for your favourite new season styles.
If you’ve got a garment (or six)…
Brand new me…
I’ve often wondered how I would word a closure letter to a particular person in my life. This Alicia Keys song is perfect. Her words could be my words. Such a beautiful song :
“Brand New Me”
It’s been a while
I’m not who I was before
You look surprised
Your words don’t burn me anymore
Been meanin’ to tell ya
But I guess it’s clear to see
Don’t be mad
It’s just a brand new kinda me
Can’t be bad
I found a brand new kinda free
Careful with your ego
He’s the one that we should blame
Had to grab my heart back
God knows something had to change
I thought that you’d be happy
I found the one thing I need
Why you mad?
It’s just a brand new kinda me
Ooh, it took a long long time to get here
It took a brave, brave girl to try
It took one too many excuses
One too many lies
Don’t be surprised, don’t be surprised..
If I talk a little louder
If I speak up when you’re wrong
If I walk a little taller
I’ve been under you too long
If you notice that I’m different
Don’t take it personally
Don’t be mad
It’s just a brand new kinda me
That ain’t bad
I found a brand new kinda free
Ooh, it took a long, long road to get here
It took a brave, brave girl to try
I’ve taken one too many excuses
One to many lies
Don’t be surprised, oh, said, you look surprised
Hey, if you were a friend
You’d wanna get to know me again
If you were worth the while
You’d be happy to see me smile
I’m not expecting sorry
I’m too busy finding myself
I got this
I found me, I found me, yeah
I don’t need your opinion
I’m not waiting for your okay
I’ll never be perfect,
But at least now I’m brave
I know my heart is open
I can finally breathe
Don’t be mad
It’s just a brand new kinda free
That ain’t bad
I found a brand new kinda me
Don’t be mad
It’s just a brand new time for me
I’m not who I was before
You look surprised
Your words don’t burn me anymore
Been meanin’ to tell ya
But I guess it’s clear to see
Don’t be mad
It’s just a brand new kinda me
Can’t be bad
I found a brand new kinda free
Careful with your ego
He’s the one that we should blame
Had to grab my heart back
God knows something had to change
I thought that you’d be happy
I found the one thing I need
Why you mad?
It’s just a brand new kinda me
Ooh, it took a long long time to get here
It took a brave, brave girl to try
It took one too many excuses
One too many lies
Don’t be surprised, don’t be surprised..
If I talk a little louder
If I speak up when you’re wrong
If I walk a little taller
I’ve been under you too long
If you notice that I’m different
Don’t take it personally
Don’t be mad
It’s just a brand new kinda me
That ain’t bad
I found a brand new kinda free
Ooh, it took a long, long road to get here
It took a brave, brave girl to try
I’ve taken one too many excuses
One to many lies
Don’t be surprised, oh, said, you look surprised
Hey, if you were a friend
You’d wanna get to know me again
If you were worth the while
You’d be happy to see me smile
I’m not expecting sorry
I’m too busy finding myself
I got this
I found me, I found me, yeah
I don’t need your opinion
I’m not waiting for your okay
I’ll never be perfect,
But at least now I’m brave
I know my heart is open
I can finally breathe
Don’t be mad
It’s just a brand new kinda free
That ain’t bad
I found a brand new kinda me
Don’t be mad
It’s just a brand new time for me
Who among us would have believed that the sound of children at their playgrounds would be replaced by the sound of automatic machine-gun fire at our schools? That the sound of little girls skipping rope would be overshadowed by the frantic squeals of children dodging bullets? Yet, instead of loving our children more, we install metal detectors in our schools.
“
| — | Michael Jackson (Carnegie Hall speech, 2001) |
