I have been listening to the music from The Color Purple this morning as I am a lover of the book, the play and Mother Oprah, so I am having a little orgy at my desk. But there is a song, Too Beautiful for Words, that has challenged how I relate to my friends and family. I can often get lost in being a tad bit cunty and witty and not recognizing my comments, while funny for the moment, have a residual effect on people who are looking for validation or confirmation. The same concept of positive affirmation I apply to myself is equally lifting to people around me.

Here are the lyrics.

SHUG
You not ugly. You the grace of God if us ever see it.
You don't believe me.
Miss Celie . . . Miss Celie, look here. Look at yourself.

I've always been the kind of gal that had a lot to say.

I says the things thats on my mind, too dumb to shy away.

But you hush my mouth and still me with a song Ive never heard.

I guess that means that you are just too beautiful for words.

Ive seen this life from high and low and all thats in between.

I Danced with Dukes, Crooned with Counts, Been courted like a Queen.

But when I see whats in your heart, all the rest is blurred.

The grace you bring into this world is too beautiful for words.

You hide your head under your wing just like a little bird.

Oh, dont you know youre beautiful, too beautiful for words?

Oh Celie, youre too beautiful for words.