Jewel: Clear perception is the way to psychological strength | Perception Box

Big Think

3 Jun 202409:31

Summary

TLDRSinger-songwriter and visual artist Jewel shares her journey of self-discovery and the importance of honesty in connecting with others. She discusses her synesthesia, the impact of her upbringing on her personality, and her realization of the need to look inward for personal growth. Jewel's story includes overcoming homelessness, embracing vulnerability, and the power of truth in her life and art, highlighting her commitment to personal healing and the pursuit of happiness.

Takeaways

🎨 Jewel identifies as a singer-songwriter, visual artist, and works in behavioral health, highlighting her multifaceted career.
🌈 She experiences synesthesia, associating colors with sounds, which enriches her creative process.
🔍 Jewel's journey of self-discovery has been iterative, with periods of disconnection and reconnection with her inner self.
🍊 A pivotal moment in her self-awareness came through the metaphor of an orange, realizing how her upbringing influenced her personality traits.
🏠 At 18, facing homelessness and challenging circumstances, Jewel chose honesty and vulnerability as a means to connect with others.
🎤 Her first intimate performance in a coffee shop, where she shared her deepest truths, marked a turning point in her life and career.
🌟 Jewel believes that being honest and open makes her safer and more connected in the world, rather than being guarded.
🔄 She uses the metaphor of a river to redirect feelings of shame and agitation, helping her to regain composure and clarity.
💔 Being loved is a source of fear for Jewel due to her past experiences with abandonment and abuse, which she continually works to heal.
🔑 The realization that her mother was not who she thought, and the costs associated with that, led to her mantra 'The Truth Wins'.
👀 Jewel emphasizes the importance of perception and the power it holds in one's life, considering it a game-changer.
🤝 Her passion for connecting with people is a consistent theme, stemming from early experiences and a sense of warmth and belonging.
🔄 The healing and transformation of her relationship with her father, who overcame addiction, is a significant and unexpected gift in her life.
🎶 Jewel's commitment to personal happiness and wholeness is prioritized above her musical career, reflecting her values.

Q & A

What is Jewel's profession?
-Jewel is a singer-songwriter, a visual artist, and she also works in behavioral health.
How does Jewel experience synesthesia?
-Jewel experiences synesthesia as an auditory-visual phenomenon where she sees colors and shapes when she hears sounds, including her own singing.
What realization did Jewel have while peeling an orange about her upbringing?
-Jewel realized that her nurture, or the way she was raised, led to the formation of her personality traits such as low self-esteem and guardedness, which she used as a protective exterior.
Why did Jewel become homeless at 18?
-Jewel became homeless because she refused to have sex with her boss, who then refused to give her her paycheck.
How did Jewel's first show at the coffee shop impact her life?
-Jewel's first show at the coffee shop, where she sang and shared vulnerable truths with two surfers, was a pivotal moment that led her to understand the power of honesty and connection, shaping her life path.
What is Jewel's strategy for dealing with shame?
-Jewel deals with shame by softening, breathing, changing her posture, and redirecting the energy in her mind, which helps her to move past the feeling and take action.
How does Jewel perceive the power of truth in her life?
-Jewel believes that the truth always wins and that facing the uncomfortable truths about herself and her life is essential for personal growth and healing.
What is Jewel's approach to managing her perfectionism in her art exhibit?
-Jewel is learning to let go of the need to control every aspect of her art exhibit, recognizing that striving for perfection can be a waste of energy.
How does Jewel feel about being loved?
-Jewel finds being loved scary and vulnerable due to her past experiences with abandonment and abuse, which have made her cautious about forming close connections.
What promise did Jewel make to herself when she was discovered?
-When Jewel was discovered, she promised herself that her primary goal would be to learn how to be a happy, whole human, and her secondary goal was to be a musician.
What is Jewel's most consistent passion?
-Jewel's most consistent passion is to connect with people, which she has enjoyed doing since she was young and finds to be a warming and special experience.