Thursday, March 27, 2008

Being Your Profession

To profess something in the sense of proclaiming that a thing is true is, at the very least, a declaration of how we see things. Professions in this regard point to either who we think we are, who we really are, or who we wish to be. What are your professions? Do they affect your profession?

This idea of profession is interesting, as I am quite impressed with the British jazz soul eclectic sensation, Amy Winehouse - - what a talent! But she, like so many great artists of the past and present, has seemingly become her professions.

There is the question of which came first the professions or profession. What do you think? Is there a way to avoid this trap? Are professions self-fulfilling prophecies? Below are lyrics like "I cheated myself like I knew I would. I told you I was trouble. You know that I'm no good."

Enjoy the brilliance of this voice and talent:



Amy Winehouse seems to have become exactly what she has professed. She has indeed been sent to rehab despite her often repeated open professions of not going to Rehab. Her actions also seem to indicate a rather low self-esteem. With the likes of "Rehab" and "You Know I'm No Good" she garnered 5 Grammy Awards this year. Her performance at the Grammy's via satellite in an intimate cabaret setting in London was brilliant...

...as is the "Back to Black" video:



What we profess may indeed have consequences on our profession. Being denied a US visa, Amy Winehouse could not even appear at the Grammy's to collect her stunning 5 Awards. But she did, nonetheless, deliver to an enraptured Shrine Auditorium audience and millions of others worldwide, including me, great renditions of "Rehab" and "You Know I'm No Good."

All the very best to this young new brilliant artist. God-speed! Perhaps her professions will change, beginning first with an inward look. Our words are often an outward expression of our inward anxieties.

What are you professing? Is it positively or negatively affecting your profession?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Judith...thank you for such an interesting question and perspective. I think you answer the question beautifully of how to avoid the trap of your professions becoming your profession by continually looking inward. Change begins with the realization that it is needed. It is a personal awakening that begins in our heart mind or soul...from within.

You have challenged me to to think more openly and critically about many things and I am deeply appreciative. I'm sure that can be framed in the construct of a "profession" and one that will enhance my life a great deal, be it personally or professionally.

Judith Ellis said...

Dave...I love your "change begins with the realization that it is needed. It is a personal awakening that begins in our heart, mind or soul...from within." Beautiful. Thank you.

Thanks also for stopping in. You too have challenged me to think outside of myself and to greater focus on the needs of others. Your comments on the Tom Peters Blog are enlightening...indeed.