11.15
Alcia Keys is featured on WebMD’s Heroes Issue. The singer discusses being involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS, becoming a mother and loving yourself first.
On why she became involved in the fight againts HIV/AIDS: “I couldn’t turn my back on all I’d seen. At the time, I didn’t have a child but I was empathetic to these young people I met [in Africa], so close to my age. It really struck me how I had to pay attention. What if I was 15 going through what these kids are going through, and nobody paid attention? To have to deal with all the things a teenager has to deal with, on top of being the ‘parent’ and breadwinner, and putting food on the table for younger brothers and sisters who might be 3, or 7, or 10…it wasn’t about how impossible it was, but, rather, if I can help one person, five people, 10 people, 100, 200, 100,000 people…that’s what’s real.”
On becoming a mother: “Motherhood is a billion times better than I expected, and I already expected it to be great. It’s all the things everyone ever said, but you don’t know it until you’re there. It’s a really special time, and I feel so honored that I get to help somebody in this world find his wings, and navigate and learn happiness, and be loved. Actually, he’s helping me learn, because I’m smarter now. He’s awesome! I’m having a ball!”
On nurturing her creative side while also nurturing a new baby and husband: “I feel like I’m more balanced than I’ve been in my life, actually. I felt a lot less balanced about five years ago. More than ever, I consider everything I do now, and make sure it’s something I can’t live without and something I believe in. There has to be a powerful reason to do it, one that makes me feel great…There are a lot of things I can’t do now. Having my son and a family, that’s my barometer, when before I was maybe more inclined to say ‘yes’ and do more — and then be super-exhausted and overspent. Life is balance. It’s all a balance. And if there’s something you’re thinking about, and it’s something you really want in your life, then you will — you’ll do it.”
On ways to “feel good.”
Be grateful. “No matter what’s happening in the world, every day is a brand new breath, a brand new chance, a brand new path to feeling good,” the singer says. “I take every opportunity to live, and I’m so grateful for every day — even more grateful now that I’m a mother and wife with such a strong foundation and with such a beautiful family. I see how phenomenal life can be.”
Give back. “The most incredible thing is to change a child’s life. We have to ask, what kind of life can these kids have without their parents?” she says, referring to the 16.6 million children orphaned by AIDS worldwide. “It’s incredible what the medicine will do and how it will turn lives around.”
Love yourself first. “If you can’t love yourself, how can you take care of others? Watching what you put into your body and eliminating anything that could possibly hurt you in any way are extremely important.” During her pregnancy, Alicia says she “made more of an effort because you know it’s not just you in there — whatever you’re eating, the baby is eating, too. I did yoga, I love to run, and with Egypt I continue to be healthy in what I eat, what I feed him, and how I exercise. It makes me feel better!
“It’s really so important to care for yourself first, then you can give your love to everyone else.”
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