I’ve had this Jill Scott song on repeat since I first heard it a week ago. I get obsessed with songs like that pretty regularly, yet this song feels more like an intentional spell than most other songs. And because it won’t turn me loose, this song is the sole inspiration for this week’s Refill. Listen and/or follow the lyrics now before we continue:

Àṣẹ (pronounced "ah-sheh" with alternate spellings such as “ashe”) is a word that comes from the West African Yoruba language. Scholar and writer Funlayo explains how it’s often used:

Given the word’s meaning and cultural context, it’s hard to imagine a song titled “Àṣẹ” would not feel spiritual. It does to me, and it’s okay if not so much for you, lol. Beyond the title, though, here’s why I really feel so deeply moved by this song and why I want to explore with you all this week.

The ongoing refrain in the song, “I see you,” is exactly how I feel about you, all of my readers, social media followers, humans on the 5 train headed to The Bronx or Brooklyn… And it’s how I feel about me and all the distant and not-so-distant versions of myself that have persevered to see this very day.

I really think it’s one of the most powerful states we can be in with each other—a state of grateful witnessing, of seeing the humanity and spirit in each other, no matter how different or distant.

The way I feel about some of her first lyrics has a lot to do with the self love philosophy I’ve been preaching in recent years. On a recent podcast I explained that I think everyone has at least a kernel of self-love, even if they don’t recognize it. And part of the reason I believe that is because we are made of love, our Source, our Creator, God, from which we and all things begin, is love. Jill Scott says:

I love this lyric sooo much because when I hear the statement, “you’ve got love on the brain,” it’s most often said in the context of romantic love with another human. But in the lines that follow, Scott turns this inside out by reminding us that we are love, we are full of love, and we have the power to generate even more love from within—”it’s all in your hands” to give, receive, and create more.

That is my favorite part of the entire song. And coming in close second is the following verse, which says:

These lines resonate so deeply in part because of Scott’s creative vocal choices. You know? Not sure I’d been feeling these or any of the lines as deeply as I do if they were delivered by a different vocalist.

Sound is vibration, you know, and that vibration changes and impacts everything it reaches. Truly, be mindful and intentional of the literal vibrations, sound vibrations, you regularly expose yourself to. Words and thoughts are vibrations too, even if they’re not spoken!

Anyway, it’s the way Scott delivers these three words: and still giving, that took me up the first time I heard this song, and takes me up every time since.

I’ve talked about faith in a few posts, and with the recent Virgo eclipse, I’ve reshared some of my writings on letting go in faith. So this line is what I wish for the people I am called to serve in my writing, content, speaking, and coaching. I hope all of my writings and content help to fortify your faith in something.

If you’d like to get your first month of this upgrade free/on the house, make sure you refer this newsletter to anyone you think might become a fan!

It’s true! I’ve finally changed my domain name to none other than drsarahlwebb.com! And my homepage is a much more robust reflection of my current professional status as well as the trajectory I’m on for the foreseeable future. I’ve got some new photos and videos underway, so it will be even more revamped soon!

Sincerely,