When You Wake Up —

When Living A Lie Is No Longer An Option

Have you ever had a moment where you woke up to the truth of something and you couldn’t, even if you tried, go back to the way things used to be?

If you’ve ever experienced this in life — this is for you. And if you have not yet experienced it but it peaks your interest, this is also for you.

One of my favorite movies of the 20th century is Beyond The Lights (written and directed by the great Gina Prynce-Bythewood).

The movie begins with the main character, Noni, winning her first award as a recording artist. She’s dressed in a gold bra and a short skirt — a purple sew in cascades down her back. She is the “it” girl.

She celebrates her win by downing half a bottle of champagne in the sprinter van on the way back to her hotel. When she reaches the hotel room, she tells the police officer guarding her door not to let anyone in as she closes the door behind her.

Within minutes, we hear a shriek and find Noni sitting on the edge of a hotel balcony, tears streaming down her face. She turns around to see the police officer moving slowly behind her. By his request, she turns to look at him. With fatigue in her eyes, she says “You still can’t see me.”