The art of failing
life-changing lessons from Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Album
I’m sure that over the last few weeks, I’m not the only one who has been listening to Beyoncé’s new album, Cowboy Carter non-stop with the fascination of a five year old child on Christmas day. While I can talk about the poetic lyricism and the phenomenal way she integrates different genres seamlessly while simultaneous portraying the influence that black history has had over these genres as a result of pain and injustice, I will leave those deeper articulations to publications like The Guardian which stated her album “feels like a feast at a time when pop is offering up scraps” While music is very personal, it does feel like this album requires a deeper analysis to unravel the easter eggs that paint a bigger picture, but the thing that struck out to me most is how she managed to take years and years of rejection and compile it into a beautiful and haunting masterpiece.
In fact, for those who might not be aware, this album was inspired by the rejection that Beyoncé faced in 2016 at the Country Music Awards for performing her song ‘Daddy Lessons’ from her Lemonade album with the Dixie Chicks because she was not the typified white, male face of country, despite growing up in Texas.
It got me thinking about how some of us are so risk-averse that we miss out on what could potentially be the magnus-opus of our lives. I know that in my own personal experience, I have often safeguarded myself from things that are outside my comfort zone, however, a quote I came across several years ago has etched itself into my mind and like Harry Potter’s scar that burns and causes crippling pain when his archnemesis is getting stronger or nearby, this quote comes alive and creates a visceral reaction for me especially when I can see others succeed as a result of years of failing. The quote states;
“There is no failure except in no longer trying.” - Chris Bradford
Or in Thomas Eddison’s words of wisdom;
“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” - Thomas A. Edison
All this to remind myself as much as anyone else that failing is an important part of life and the sooner we can get comfortable with it and learn from it, the sooner we can grow, create art and thrive.