Nature
This week’s HGC is all about nature. Since it’s Earth Day, perhaps I should reflect on our world; however, every time I think of nature, I can’t stop singing Madonna’s song “Human Nature.” To keep things interesting, let’s explore that rabbit hole (but I do love you Mother Earth!).
I looked up the lyrics since the song came out in 1995 and the only ones I really remembered were, “and I’m not sorry, it’s human nature…” I was only 13 when it came out, so I didn’t analyze the lyrics, I just sang along because it had a good beat. And yes, I’m still shocked to relisten to songs I belted out in front of my mother not realizing what they were really talking about (especially Usher’s “Nice and Slow”).
So what did Madonna have to say about human nature??? The chorus goes, “I’m not you b*tch, don’t hang your sh*t on me.”
When I initially listened to the song, I belted out the chorus to all those people I think (keyword, think) are putting their sh*t on me; however, as I kept repeating those lyrics, another thought came to mind.
How often do we try to hang our stuff on someone else? If you have ever been hurt, it’s so easy to point the finger and say, “you did this to me! You caused this!” Although it may be true that someone’s actions or choices had a profound impact on us, it is OUR choice how we respond to it.
It’s not if life is going to knock us down, it’s when. Whether or not those blows come from another person, a health crisis, an accident, or a million other ways that life can derail us, it’s human nature to look outside of ourselves for a reason or place to direct our hurt and anger.
Remember, we can’t control anyone or anything else except ourselves. Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t belt that chorus out and release some of that rage. That’s the beauty of music, journaling, and any other way that helps us process our emotions. But at the end of the day, the best thing you can do for yourself is identify your inner parts that are hurting and work on healing them, regardless of any outside factors you want to hang your sh*t on.
PS. If someone is trying to hang their sh*t on you, remember, this is all true for them, too. “And I’m not sorry, it’s human nature…”
This post is written in partnership with #HerGrowthCollective, encouraging women to walk the path of self-development together.
