Gloria Estefan

On March 20, 1990 our tour bus crashed on a snowy Pennsylvania highway, breaking my back. 

I was taking a nap on the bus, trying to be fresh for the show that night, and suddenly I was lying on the floor, not able to stand up, looking up at the ceiling, going, ‘What happened?’ The pain was excruciating.

That near-death experience shifted my focus. There was definitely a before and after from that accident. Even though I wouldn't want to go through it again, I learned a lot about just living day-to-day. I remember thinking, 'Maybe this is the reason that I've gone through this; maybe I can be an example to people of how to take control of our lives and get past hurdles.

.Being a spiritual person, I had a personal experience with the power of prayer in healing. I went to a Catholic girls' school. We prayed a lot — the Our Father, the Hail Mary — but I couldn't connect because it was just spouting, almost like a meditation. But when I was the recipient of the prayers of millions of people around the world after my accident, I felt a physical energy.

It was the most powerful force, like I was plugged into the wall, juiced up. It wasn't about religion:

I felt the consciousness of other human beings wishing me well and the power of that collective spirit. So, I'm convinced that thoughts create reality, and that the thoughts that we've put out into the universe are going to manifest. 

After my accident, I couldn't imagine going from being almost paralyzed to walking again. I made myself short-term goals to accomplish, such as walking an extra two feet, so each day I just went a little further. Don't think about that daunting thing that seems unattainable — think about what I can do today to be just that much closer to that goal.

.I never got into music for fame. I did it because I love music, and it's been the thing that has gotten me through the toughest times of my life.


I sought solace in song once again while putting together the album, Brazil305. I was going to put it out in 2017, but then my mom got ill and passed, and I just couldn't bring myself to sing, which was the only thing left to do on the record. But I wanted joy on it, and it took me about a year to be able to get back to the studio and put all the joy on it. My mom had heard the music and was in love with the album, so I think she helped me a lot at that moment,

When I said, 'The rhythm is gonna get you,' I meant it, because at the core of all human interaction, is drums. This was our first communication as a world and as a species, and that's how we talked through miles and miles, by the drumming. So every culture has this rhythm.

Coming Out of the Dark by Gloria Estefan / Estefan Emilio Jr
Why be afraid if I'm not alone?
Though life is never easy
The rest in unknown
And up to now for me it's been
Hands against stone
Spent each and every moment
Searching for what to believe

Coming out of the dark
I finally see the light now
And it's shining on me
Coming out of the dark
I know the love that saved me
You're sharing with me

Starting again is part of the plan
And I'll be so much stronger
Holding your hand
Step by step, I'll make it through
I know I can
I may not make it easier
But I have felt you
Near all the way
Coming out of the dark
I finally see the light now
And it's shining on me
(I see the light)
(I see the light)
I see the light (I see the light)
Coming out of the dark
I know the love that saved me
You're sharing with me

Ever (I stand on the rock)
I stand on the rock of your love
(Forever) ever
(And ever) and ever
Can't nobody stop me, watch me
(Forever) ever
(And ever) and ever
Stand on the rock
Of your love is all it takes
No matter what we face

Listen to Gloria's Song Coming Out of the Dark in Video Below



I would always analyze the responses that people were giving me throughout the show, what it would take for each different culture to just relax and let go. What I found was that regardless of the differences in language, whether I was in Japan or in Australia or Latin America, I got the same exact human responses at the same points in the show. It didn't matter whether they understood what was being said or some, something about it really united us all.

I am thrilled to be part of this heartwarming film!!

I have a deep respect for music and what it can do to people. So, whenever I put something out, I am very conscious of trying to have it be something that is going to make people either feel better — or be able to cry or speak words to a loved one that maybe they can't come up with themselves. I like to delve into things that really unite us and that are common like love, loss of love. 

We all want the same things. We all want acceptance. We all want happiness. And those are the things that I continue to focus on.


Visit Gloria Esteban's website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or The Gloria Estefan Foundation which promotes education, health and cultural development
 

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