Madonna: What We Can Learn about Resilience from the Queen of Pop

By Merely Me, Health Guide Friday, January 27, 2012

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No I am not talking about Lady Gaga or Britney Spears. Maybe it is a generational thing but I feel that there would be no Britney Spears or Lady Gaga without Madonna. Her influence is seen in the fashion, style and songs of many of the female pop stars of today. Okay maybe Madonna is pretentious and ...

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Judy

1/27/12 8:20am

I've always loved Madonna's music and admired her strength. I thought she was great in "Evita" and saw it twice. One of my favorite songs of hers is "Live to Tell" because it's so haunting. I used to listen to her music at work a lot because it helped keep my mood up.

Well, I'm babysitting again today, so I'd better go and feed somebody breakfast! Just saw the stage production of "Lion King" last night - fantastic! A late night, though. Hope to take my grandson next time it comes around.

Merely Me, Health Guide

1/27/12 8:20pm

Oh I have never seen a life performance of the Lion King...that sounds like a lot of fun!

Hey thanks for commenting and I hope you have a lovely weekend Judy.

Marishka

1/27/12 10:28am

I loved Madonna when she was in 'Vogue'....(double entaunder) --is that a word??? is it the right one?

what???

I don't know why my literary ......what do you call it ? lenience? allowance ...? something? I can't think of it...I am very jittery right now...And some dissociated...??

I loved her strength, her courage and her songs...like Michael Jackson, a true entertainer and performer...

I still admire her...yes, her transforming herself over and over again...

and now a long time mom....seeing how this transition changed her ....as well as how she described how it changed her...

Now, I am going to look up reductionistic...was that it? I'll have to go back...I seem to remember that one time I heard she had a genious IQ but I may be mistaking her with someone else...

She definately had a wonderful outlet...music to express her soul and any emotional issues which I think were expressed in her songs and videos and that is a huge blessing...

I do like her and never felt too much negativity towards her or her personas as I saw them as her way to work out her issues in a creative manner...although I don't have a tv and don't like 'pop culture' much and don't like putting it into my head every day...less now than before...but Madonna....she's a survivor and I have felt a sense of strength watching and listening to Madonna over the years...

Merely Me, Health Guide

1/27/12 8:23pm

Yes..."in vogue"...very clever...I like that. :>)

Madonna certainly has evolved over the years but she still somehow stays in the limelight. That is hard to do in today's world.

I thank you for your comment Marishka. Hope everything is going well for you. How are your kittens doing?

Rena

1/27/12 1:37pm

I've always liked Madanna because she does what she wants and says what she thinks. She does not care what other people think. That is strong and independent. I think we as wish we could be like that. Except minus the selfish, huge ego stuff.

Merely Me, Health Guide

1/27/12 8:26pm

LOL yeah she may have a big ego. Or is it just self-confidence?

I admire all the hard work she has done over the years and where she came from...she really had to work her way up from the rock bottom.

Hey thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a great weekend.

Rena

1/28/12 2:28pm

You have a great weekend too. Thanks for everything you do! :)

Lene Andersen, Health Guide

1/27/12 8:28pm

I've never been a huge fan of Madonna's music, but I am a fan of her. She is in total control over image and her career and I think that's a big part of her longevity. She's never let anyone else mold her into something that's trendy, instead, she has set the trends. As for her being a diva? I think it's sexist - it's that classic double standard. If a man were the way she was, he would be admired for being driven and know what he wants, probably written about in magazines as a role model of how to have a vision and follow through with it. But because she's a woman, she's a diva/b*tch. I guess women aren't supposed to have a vision and make it happen?

Merely Me, Health Guide

1/27/12 9:11pm

Oh hi there Lene!

I am both a fan of Madonna as a person and also her music and as a performer.

Personally...I think the word "diva" doesn't have to have a negative connotation. I think it can be a great compliment. The true meaning of the term is:

"a celebrated female singer. The term is used to describe a woman of outstanding talent in the world of opera, and, by extension, in theatre, cinema and popular music."

As for the B**** word this too does not have to have negative connotations. When I used it in my article I consider it a high honor. In fact there is even a magazine with this name. They eitors define this magazine as the Feminist Response to Pop Culture.

But you are right...if a man is assertive, ambitious, or successful...this is deemed normal. In some ways it is still the case that women who have these traits are looked at with scrutiny.

Good to see you. Hope you are having a lovely evening!

Lene Andersen, Health Guide

1/27/12 9:28pm

I wasn't pointing the finger at you - I know you better than that! I was talking about magazines and reporters (especially the gossip kind) - they tend to use diva and b*tch negatively. Very rarely do they get the actual meaning of words right.

Merely Me, Health Guide

1/28/12 11:56am

Oh Lene...of course I didn't think that. I was just fascinated by the terms and was running with it for general conversation sake. I totally agree...I think Madonna has gotten a bad rap sometimes for simply being a strong woman. Women are historically given these bad names for having these traits where men are just considered to be...men. That is why I think we should own these sometimes negatively laden descriptors such as diva or b**** and make them what we want them to be.

There is a song devoted to this theme...I'm a Bitch, I'm a Lover

Here are some of the lyrics

I’m a bitch I’m a lover

I’m a child I’m a mother

I’m a sinner I’m a sant

I do not feel ashamed

I’m your hell I’m your dream

I’m nothin’ in between

You know, you wouldn’t want it any other way

I am really enjoying our discussion. Know that I really appreciate you popping by to comment...I know you are super busy but I always love seeing you over here. You always add a spark to any community conversation we are having.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend...peaceful and restful.

anne1123

1/28/12 2:38am

The first time I saw Madonna perform on TV I knew she was going to be a star. There was just something about her. She was quite a mover and shaker as far as being a female musician. I never really gave it much thought though --about her quality of resilence-- and I enjoyed reading your viewpoint on that.

Merely Me, Health Guide

1/28/12 10:30am

Thanks Anne

Yeah it was a time in my life I will always remember...and I am not even sure why. Music was so important back then. Believe it or not back then Madonna was considered sort of alternative. My punk friends liked her music. And although her music was fluff...it always made me feel happy....upbeat.

Thanks so much for your comment. I hope you have a great weekend.

Madonna: What We Can Learn about Resilience from the Queen of Pop

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