The Lesson I Learned From Missy Elliott

52 IN 52 - WEEKLY SPOTLIGHT
The Lesson I Learned From Missy Elliot

Missy Elliott, the Queen of Rap, is undoubtedly music royalty and now she has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!

Her achievements in the music industry, including selling 40 million records worldwide, running her own record label, and being the first woman rapper to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, are awe-inspiring.

But what truly impresses me about Missy Elliott goes far beyond the music.

It’s her humanity….her philanthropic heart, and her grit that courageously propelled her to push the boundaries in the male-dominated rap scene.

But mostly, it was her ability to overcome the mental and physical challenges that would have stopped some people dead in their tracks and made them shut down and give up.

She had the courage to persevere and press on, in spite of the fear.

Just think, if Missy Elliott hadn’t faced her challenges and pushed through self-doubt, shyness, and debilitating anxiety, we would have never witnessed the unique musical sounds of “Get Ur Freak On” or “Work It”.

We may have never been energized by songs like BURNITUP (Janet Jackson) and 1, 2 Step (Ciara),

or mesmerized by One In A Million (Aaliyah), Babydoll (Mariah Carey), Signs (Beyonce), and Need U Bad (Jazmine Sullivan), just a few chart toppers produced by Missy.

Missy’s confession of being “super shy” is a stark reminder that even the most successful individuals can harbor insecurities.

In an industry where self-assuredness and being in the spotlight seem like the name of the game, her honesty about her shyness is refreshing.

She says she was so shy that she never allowed anyone to witness her record her music because she feared judgment. It’s a feeling that many of us can relate to, that nagging self-doubt that keeps us from pursuing our dreams.

Yet, Missy pushed through, and that, in itself, is admirable.

In 2015, Missy faced a daunting challenge when she was set to perform at the Super Bowl alongside Katy Perry. Just hours before the performance, she found herself in the emergency room, battling an anxiety attack. The battle didn’t defeat her, and it surely didn’t stop the show.

I had to go back and look at the halftime show again.

Missy killed it!

I don’t think anyone could tell, by looking at that performance, that she had just been in a mental fight…a fight that she clearly won!

“It feels good” to be living in a time now where society is more open to discussing the topic…because you realize that it’s a lotta people that suffer from anxiety”, reminding us that mental health issues can affect anyone and understanding that we never know what someone may be dealing with and what demons they are silently battling.

Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that leads to the generalized overactivity of the entire thyroid gland, is a condition that could have easily sidelined Missy’s career.

She said the 2008 diagnosis broke down her whole nervous system and took a toll on her mental health. Yet, she refused to let it define her. She declared….

“Life is never gonna be full of roses; those tests become your testimony.”

Her refusal to let this disease dictate her fate embraces her indomitable spirit.

Missy’s infectious smile and belief in sharing one’s blessings reveal a depth of character that goes far beyond her musical prowess.

Her positive outlook on life and her willingness to inspire others with her journey remind us that success is not just about personal achievements; it’s also about lifting others up along the way.

So, the lesson I learned from Missy Elliott is a powerful…

No one can stop you, except you.

Resilience, self-belief, and breaking barriers in the presence of fear and self-doubt are attainable accomplishments, as long as we give ourselves permission to reject judgment and accept greatness.

Her journey isn’t just about her music; it’s about the strength of the human spirit, the spirit that helps us surmount the most formidable obstacles.

Her accomplishments are impressive, but her ability to achieve those momentous feats in the face of debilitating mental hurdles and Graves’ disease is what leaves a lasting impression on me.

Missy Elliott’s story is pure inspiration, showing us that our adversities can be transformed into our most powerful assets.

Let’s let our test be our testimony!