Alberta Hunter’s life was a testament to the power of the "unpolished" authentic soul. She was a woman who conquered the world's stages, walked away t
Alberta Hunter’s life was a testament to the power of the “unpolished” authentic soul. She was a woman who conquered the world’s stages, walked away to spend twenty years quietly nursing the sick, and then returned to her art in her eighties with more grit, humor, and truth than ever before.
Her quote reminds us that technical perfection is often a mask, and that the most profound truths come from those who have lived them, not just studied them.
Here are a few affirmations inspired by her journey and that specific, hilarious and grounded wisdom:
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I trust the wisdom that was forged in the fire of my own life. I do not need a title or outside validation to be an expert on my own survival.
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My raw truth is more valuable than a polished lie. I give myself permission to be unrefined, as long as I am honest.
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There is dignity in every season of my life. Whether I am center-stage or quietly tending to the needs of others, my worth remains unshakable.
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I value the “musicians” in my life who lead with their hearts. I surround myself with people who understand the language of feeling, not just the language of power.
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It is never too late for my second act. Like the blues, my voice only grows deeper and more resonant with time.
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I do not need to “know all about” the rules to play my own song. My intuition is a more reliable guide than the expectations of a system that wasn’t built for me.
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I build from what I know to be true in my bones. I honor the “socialized bottom” within myself—the parts of me that are humble, resilient, and deeply human.
Alberta Hunter proved that you can lose everything—your fame, your youth, your platform—and still possess the one thing the world can’t teach: soul, baby, SOUL!