![\"Whitney](\"https:\/\/jenniferblaine.com\/thoughts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/whitney-houston1.png\")
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When I heard about Whitney Houston\u2019s death, I was reminded of the many ways society sends destructive messages to artists and creative people.<\/p>\n
One message is \u201cyou\u2019re only as good as your last hit.\u201d In many news reports I heard that Whitney was disappointed and down that her last album did not get the critical acclaim to which she was accustomed. Imagine topping the charts with hit after hit for decades, and then after coming out of isolation and self-destruction you don\u2019t top the charts in the way you once did. \u00a0She did well, but her performance wasn\u2019t as meteoric as it had been in the past. The meta-message \u201conly as good as your last hit\u201d is reinforced.<\/p>\n
Another message is that \u201cunless you knock my socks off, you are not legit.\u201d Her voice had undeniably changed, she could no longer soar in the same way, but now her voice was filled with edges and qualities that reflected despair, heartache, and the desire to overcome it all. She had lost notes but had developed strength and gravitas. The qualities in her voice reflected that she was older and seeking to find herself. Unfortunately, we are living in a culture of competitive contests, instead of curious listening and warm receptions for the stories in all our voices.<\/p>\n
Last of all Whitney modeled \u201csmiling on the outside, while crying on the inside.\u201d I wish she had had support to overcome her addiction, to deal with fame and disappointments, because when you reach that far out with your amazing gifts, you also may have what I call \u201can upper limit,\u201d which tries to limit how much joy and happiness you allow yourself to get back. She gave so much, but somehow did not receive all of the support and love she really needed and deserved. She soldiered on, but probably had\u00a0much pain and grief that was difficult to acknowledge.<\/p>\n