Everything I Know in Life I Learned from Whitney Houston

This week marked the loss of a legend. More than just a powerhouse voice, this gorgeous diva was a friend, sister and idol to all. Her captivating lyrics represent an innate understanding of us girls, and I think I speak for all of us when I say that Whitney Houston totally gets me. From dealing with heartbreak, to struggling to believe in yourself, Whitney’s timeless music covers all the major #girlproblems.
 
Our generation has grown up with her music. The Whitney classics that our moms rocked out and worked out to in the late 80s and 90s still play at our parties today. As a life-long admirer of the great Whitney Houston, here’s everything I’ve learned…
 

“I found the greatest love of all inside of me.”
As one of the frontrunners of the well known “girl power” movement of our childhoods, Whitney taught us the importance of loving ourselves above all else. From this hit song, “I [have] learned to depend on me”. I can’t expect to give or receive love from others until I learn to love myself.
 
“It’s not right but it’s okay. I’m gonna make it anyway.”
Ever listened to Whitney when you were having a bad day, or reaching the end of a long workout, and suddenly you felt like you were on top of the world? Then you know there’s more to her songs than great vocals and fun dance beats. Whitney’s feel-good, pick-me-up lyrics send the message that, no matter what problems are sent our way, we can handle it. Anyone who’s watched Whitney belt her heart out on stage knows that she’s a fighter, and anyone familiar with her life story can see that she’s fought quite a few battles. While she didn’t always lead by example, there’s no doubt that we can learn from her struggles and resilience.
 
“Can’t run from myself, there’s no where to hide.”
Whitney’s confidence was contagious and her raw, honest performances asked us to stay true to ourselves. From her, I have learned to stand in the face of anyone who tries to put me down and say, “Take me for what I am, because I’ll never change all my colors for you.”If you don’t like what you see, too bad, I’ll find somebody who does. No one, whether it be a boy, a friend, my family, or a random stranger, is worth hiding who I am.
 

“How will I know if he’s thinking of me?”
Ah yes, the never-ending struggle to understand what goes on inside a guy’s head. I know it all too well. This hit song from Whitney’s debut album speaks to women everywhere, women dying to know what their guy is thinking. She unites us all in the search to find what is “really love”, and lets us know that, while we may not find the answer we’re looking for right away, that’s okay. There is an element of the unknown, and something to be learned in every relationship.
 
“Oohh I wanna dance with somebody.”
And of course, at the end of the day, sometimes all a girl really needs is a good dance. “When the night falls, loneliness calls”, and according to Whitney, the perfect solution is a fun dance partner. Whether you’re in a relationship or not, the chance to let loose and “feel the heat with somebody” is an opportunity not to be missed. So get out on the dance floor and make Whitney proud.
 
It’s been quite a journey with Whitney, but there is something to be gained from each song she sang, and each day of her all too short life. Whitney will live on forever through the thousands of lyrics permanently engrained in the mind of every 90s survivor, and the life lessons she instilled in us just by being herself. To quote this legendary star: Whitney, we “will always love you”.
 
Lyrics taken from:
“Greatest Love of All”
“I Have Nothing”
“It’s Not Right But It’s Okay”
“How Will I know”
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody”