I was listening to a podcast
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recently of Rev. Michael Bernard Beckwith’s radio show. He was interviewing Alanis Morissette. I wasn’t really into her when she hit it big in the 90’s. I think the full force of her anger in songs like You Oughta Know scared me. I had plenty of my own anger at the time, (so of course I was repulsed by her’s).
Listening to the podcast, it was evident that Alanis Morissette is a deeply spiritual person. She’s not pretending to be perfect. She’s tapped into all of her emotions and learning from all of them. They shared several songs during the interview. The one above is not new, but it was new to me. I thought it was moving and wanted to share it with you. To me it speaks of Divine love, which is never based on conditions. We never have to be “good enough” for God. The song sounds like a prayer.
Lyrics below:
“That I Would Be Good”
that I would be good even if I did nothing
that I would be good even if I got the thumbs down
that I would be good if I got and stayed sick
that I would be good even if I gained ten pounds
that I would be fine even if I went bankrupt
that I would be good if I lost my hair and my youth
that I would be great if I was no longer queen
that I would be grand if I was not all knowing
that I would be loved even when I numb myself
that I would be good even when I am overwhelmed
that I would be loved even when I was fuming
that I would be good even if I was clingy
that I would be good even if I lost sanity
that I would be good
whether with or without you
*For more of Rev. Michael Bernard Beckwith’s archived Sound of Transformation radio shows on KPFK 90.7 FM click here. To Live Stream one of his services at the Agape International Spiritual Center click here. For more on Alanis Morissette, click here.
Oh, how I belted this song out with her in my car during my drives to work way back when. I wasn’t turned off by her anger…much as I was drawn in to share the experience of song belting therapy. Many tears and many verses sung (repeatedly) and I am grateful for every one. <3
I was always afraid of her anger, too, but I still liked her music, and I like it even more after reading an interview with her in Natural Living magazine where she talked about her spiritual journey. Turns out she is a really grounded woman and it’s hard to imagine her full of such anger now.
I hope you always feel this way about yourself now, Michelle. Your mere presence is a gift to us all.
love.
Dear Michelle,
Thank you for sharing this video and also the singer. I’d never before heard her songs nor did I recognize her when the video began. (The puzzle of my life experiences is often riddled with missing pieces.)
Peace.
I love Alanis. Her anger was awe inspiring to the 13 yr old me who was still a very good, very sheltered little Catholic girl. Her song “Perfect” was cathartic and heart breaking and I had it on repeat as a teenager. I love her. Thanks for sharing.