“The Greatest Showman” Challenge – Day 1

Challenge, day 1: “This is Me”

Let’s the challenge begins with the hero song of the movie soundtrack: “This is Me.”

And it is not a coincidence at all. Comfort Zone Shake-Up is in fact based on two concepts – I talked about that in the opening article – 1) individuality that is the singular quality complex of each of us, and 2) empowerment, that is the power we have to improve our lives. If the movie as a whole symbolizes pure empowerment, the song “This is Me” is an invitation to reflect on the concept of individuality.

The protagonists of the song are those who are ignored or marginalized by society because they are different. Difference that in the film is obviously taken to the extreme with the choice of singular characters. We should remember that in our everyday life “beauty, and diversity, it is in the eyes of the beholder” and never as it is now it is the time to talk about it.

The song is a celebration of individuality. His message invites you to be yourself, without shame. Invites to be yourself without excuse. It talks about strength. It speaks of resilience. It speaks – allow me the parallelism – of Comfort Zone Shake-Up. It has a unique energy. I immediately felt in love with this song and I chose to call “This is Me” the section of the site that talks about me and my story.

When I thought about our challenge I had no doubts: we should start from here. We should start with us. The metaphorical journey to discover ourselves and our personal development has a fixed point: ourselves. And it requires positive attitude that is not just an innate ability. So let’s try to use music that represents a very powerful and very often underestimated tool to work on ourselves and to acquire, develop, or maintain an attitude to positive life.

When we need confirmation, when we need an extra gear, when it’s time for an important event or simply when we feel the need, this song is here to remind us that “this is me!”

It is with all the passion behind this project of mine that I invite you to listen and listen again “This is Me.” I do it often, and it always works with me.

I hope it is contagious, let me know!

This Is Me

Keala Settle, The Greatest Showman Ensemble

I am not a stranger to the dark. Hide away, they say ‘Cause we don’t want your broken parts. I’ve learned to be ashamed of all my scars. Run away, they say. No one’ll love you as you are. But I won’t let them break me down to dust. I know that there’s a place for us. For we are glorious.

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down. I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out. I am brave, I am bruised. I am who I’m meant to be, this is me. Look out ’cause here I come. And I’m marching on to the beat I drum. I’m not scared to be seen. I make no apologies, this is me.

Oh-oh-oh-oh, Oh-oh-oh-oh, Oh-oh-oh-oh, Oh-oh-oh-oh, Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh, oh

Another round of bullets hits my skin. Well, fire away ’cause today, I won’t let the shame sink in. We are bursting through the barricades and. Reaching for the sun (we are warriors). Yeah, that’s what we’ve become (yeah, that’s what we’ve become). I won’t let them break me down to dust. I know that there’s a place for us. For we are glorious. 

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down. I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out. I am brave, I am bruised. I am who I’m meant to be, this is me. Look out ’cause here I come. And I’m marching on to the beat I drum. I’m not scared to be seen, I make no apologies, this is me.

Oh-oh-oh-oh, Oh-oh-oh-oh, Oh-oh-oh-oh, Oh-oh-oh-oh, Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh, oh. 

This is me and I know that I deserve your love. (Oh-oh-oh-oh) ’cause there’s nothing I’m not worthy of (Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh, oh) 

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down. I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out. This is brave, this is proof. This is who I’m meant to be, this is me. Look out ’cause here I come (look out ’cause here I come). And I’m marching on to the beat I drum (marching on, marching, marching on). I’m not scared to be seen. I make no apologies, this is me.

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down. I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out. I’m gonna send a flood. Gonna drown them out. Oh. This is me!

Songwriters: Justin Paul / Benj Pasek

This Is Me lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.