“I am in the wilderness, you are in the music…”
I’ve never met Sade, but I think if we met… we’d get along. I’d be comfortable in her moments of quiet, and she would remind me to be quiet (she’d need to… Those who know me know… I CAN go on!) and listen to the ways of nature, and how we are all so connected. She would ride the horse, and I would walk the dogs along the beach shore.
Two country girls, in bliss with nature.
I didn’t want to come back until I was old enough to miss it. I couldn’t wait to leave my simple country existence to feel the adrenaline rush of city life. And now, I love those moments when I can be in quiet reflection. And as I did the research and work for the show, I kept finding all these beautiful stories of Sade in the English countryside. How honest and comfortable she is with her sense of self… Knowing nature truly gives her peace. And that she does not need to define herself by an industry standard. She knew what she needed for her life, and chose it. And still does. She’s so honest about what brings her joy—her love of nature’s beauty.
I go back to my own writing, and I see both of us using nature as a metaphor for our relationships with others, and in the expression of love. She doesn’t use a lot of metaphors related to the city… Nor do I. It wasn’t until I looked at the similarities, that I realized that one of the ways I nurture myself is by the energy of nature. And Sade has reminded me that I’ve never really been a definition of the business I work in, and now I dance joyfully in that uniqueness.
So here I am writing to you now, in fall’s embrace, as the last of summer’s rays try to delay the season. This slow, lazy moment—inhaling the last of the day in the air—reminds me of my own youth, and what I loved about all the little things that I appreciated around me as a country girl. Blowing dandelions in the wind, catching fireflies, running in grassy fields higher than my head. I’m so glad wisdom has brought me back to appreciate my memories.
And connecting with Sade by doing this show, slowing down to appreciate the moments, getting back to the countryside… Reminds me again why I’m so grateful and appreciate my own story now.
As I say good night to the crickets here in Wasaga Beach, I say to you: be well, and I hope you’ve recently gotten to dip your soul into nature’s nourishment—so, SO good for you. These two country girls highly approve that you do so!
Take good care…
Shelley
The Sade Experience