“That’s” It

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“That’s” Inspiring

I want to introduce you to the overused but so important word in my blog. The word “that”. It’s a very simple recurring word that I chose for three reasons. First, it expresses where I am in life right now. I’m in a discovery phase which, honestly, I hope lasts the rest of my life. Secondly, “that” symbolizes freedom. The freedom to go after what I want. Most importantly, it is gratefulness in a word. 

It’s the image of pointing at something new and saying “That!” without hesitation or fear. An image of me as a bold child pointing so everyone knew what I wanted, to the anxious girl in between who became afraid to point at this or that, to the adult me finally pointing again. This time, I know that I can reach for what I want all by myself without shame or waiting for validation. It’s me expressing a job I want to do, a place I want to see, or an experience I want to have as the woman who finally feels the power found inside her while reaching for all of “that”.  

“That That”

Wanting to really see the awesome in life slows me down enough to notice meaning in places I never paid attention to before. In the Spring of 2022, K-Pop legend, Psy, released a song featuring Suga of BTS called “That That”. It’s an upbeat song written by Psy and Suga. It has a great video with choreography that I still use in my workouts. Being a BTS megafan, of course I listen to it all the time. It’s just all “that” and more.

Song lyrics are poetry to me. Lyrics tell captivating stories. “That That” has a simple message. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most powerful. The lyrics say “Do what you want, say what you want.”  and “that that I like that”. That’s me now. Doing, saying, and liking whatever I want in spite of my fears and sometimes because of them. Knowing and doing what I want is how I became an adult. It wasn’t embracing society’s version of responsibility. That sounds weird, right? But it’s not. It’s courage to make hard choices. Wanting things and being responsible are not mutually exclusive. “That That”- why not?

“That’s Jazz!”

In the Fall of 2022, I went to dinner with my Mom. We had two waiters. Both were fantastic at their job. Attentive and funny, they were so fascinating that I asked to take selfies with them to remember the evening. Nick had great hair. He was charming and very knowledgeable about the menu. Todd was assisting Nick. He was also charming. He asked where I had gotten my hoodie. When I told him, he said “That’s Jazz!”. Curious, we asked him what he meant in his use of the phrase. He said that whenever he really likes something, he says “That’s Jazz!”. Well Todd, I completely agree. When we like something, let’s tell people about it with our own flair.

Todd’s phrase stuck with me. “That’s Jazz!” reminds me of the 1920’s, The Great Gatsby, and Chicago with “All That Jazz”. The Jazz Age and the freedom that came with it is one of my favorite eras in history. The era when women won the right to vote, and boldly embraced freedom of expression through dancing and fashion. I want my 20’s and our 2020’s vibe to grab the unconventional freedom of the 1920’s. Bold and edgy freedom that broke the constructs of society without shame.  

It’s been 100 years since the 1920’s. Let’s have a revival. We need this kind of unique freedom as a generation. Freedom to be compassionately responsible for social media, to be the creators of new ways to express what we want, and to have the courage to boldly tell our stories. Thank you, Todd, for bravely expressing what you like outloud to a stranger in a unique and memorable way. You have inspired me to do the same.

So, what do I really want? What do I really like? What is the “that” I am thinking about? The answer is in all of my blog titles. I want to pursue that, to discuss that, and to like that. It’s whatever I want it to be. “That” is whatever work I choose, wherever I choose to go, and all that I love.  

Join me for all of the “That’s”. They really are all that jazz!

Find “That’s Continuing” on the Poems page