I recently came across this music video called Shadowfeet by Brooke Fraser, a fabulous young singer from New Zealand with social conscience.
While I absolutely love her music (I’ve listened to this video many times), what I love even more about this song is the message in the lyrics and the video itself.
Although there could be more than one interpretation of the lyrics, the message is about shedding our human ego and becoming conscious of a greater purpose and meaning in life, one that is permanent, strong and stable. Some may connect this with becoming conscious of a faith in God (or the universe, creator, or whatever name you choose), and for others, it may be about finding a project, cause or community that is much bigger than themselves. What if it was both?
I love the diverse community of people that they have used in the video too, I’m sure quite intentionally, all singing “from the same songbook”. From young adults to the not-so-young, from counter-cultural folk to businessmen, from beautiful women to men you might not want to meet in a dark alley, people from many different ethnic backgrounds - all moving together along the same metaphorical path of life.
Sit back, enjoy this video and consider:
- What would be possible if you and I traded in our own shadow feet for feet grounded in greater purpose and meaning to walk through life?
- How might the experience of our lives be different?
- How would we show up differently as leaders in our communities?
Tell us what comes up for you in a comment below…
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Great singer & great video! For another fabulous singer with a social conscience (and a very different voice), check out Kathryn Mostow: http://www.butterflysound.com . I met Kathryn at the Compassionate Listening summer gathering last summer, where she performed several of her songs, including the one featured on her website, “I Give Thanks”, which is one of my favourites.
Thanks for this Avril! I have not heard Kathryn’s music before and love her song “I Give Thanks” – I second your recommendation
!
I also love the familiar quote that is embedded in that lyric about how a small group of committed people can change the world (generally attributed to Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”). YES to that!