I’ve Got the Music in Me

 Music soothes the savage beast.  Music soothes the soul.  Music is magic.  I remember back when my kids were little I took a quiz to see what affects my moods.  I remember candles made me happy...and that I was sensitive to noise.  However, music was right up there with what could affect my mood in a powerful way,  I had a 500 CD holder and I insisted on having speakers in the ceiling of the house we had built in Arizona.  I didn't care about much else, but that was a must have for sure.  I have videos of my boys dancing from the time they could stand.  I love that my kids all love the oldies and know the lyrics of songs that a lot of kids (now adults) would not.

I once did a Facebook post asking people to post a song that reminded them of me.  It was a great experiment.  I am sure there are certain songs that automatically bring you back to a specific moment in your life, or a specific person.  With that comes a flood of feelings, some positive, some not so great.  I have made playlists labeled by people close to me and also a happy playlist and a weepy playlist.  I will try to link the happy ones here.  

Why a weepy playlist?  C'mon - haven't you ever needed a good cry?  I used to weep at the drop of the hat.  As I have gotten older and more hardened sometimes the tears just don't flow.  But you know that feeling in your throat and chest when you just know you need to let it out?  Hence, the weepy playlist.  I have been doing "brain dumps" lately more often then usual and the weepy playlist does the trick - I find myself writing things I didn't even know I felt through the tears and every single time I feel like myself when I am done.

Spotify made me a playlist called "Feel Good Classics".  I have been listening during the week at my desk and it makes my workday fly and I find myself dancing while I get another cup of coffee or have my lunch.  What a mood booster!  Even dealing with cranky guests or vendors my sing song voice is prevelant.  Powerful!

I am turning 59 years old tomorrow.  I was having a bit of a not so great day yesterday and this morning.  I didn't sleep well and woke up cranky.  That is not usually my personality and I was not having it.  So I decided to watch one of my favorite movies and then play that playlist and I instantly felt like myself.  Why haven't I done this more often?  The power in the lyrics and melodies is just magic.  It transports me to a place where life is just easy.  As I type this Sonny and Cher are singing in my ears---I got you babe! It's a time warp back to so many moments in my life.  Happy mostly...today I won't let the sad ones pop up.  Afterall - it is birthday eve and I am celebrating the gift of life.  How lucky I am to be healthy and be given another trip around the sun.  

So I challenge you.....the next time you are feeling down go to your favorite music and find that joy.  I can assure you that it won't let you down.  And when you feel better you DO better.  You can spread positivity around and the world just feels like a better place.  

It’s NOT just a day in the life!

Feel Good Oldies

Every day is a holiday…

 

When you look at the calendar you see 1/1/24 - New Years Day!  Oh my, what will I do?  I must celebrate!  Or maybe on New Year's Eve you felt upset because you did not have big plans - what about the Happy New Year kiss that is supposed to be so magical?  So much pressure!  Coming off of the Christmas hype of perfect presents and decor.  Is it any wonder half the world is on anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication?  

Why?  Why does society put so much pressure on certain dates on the calendar - birthdays, valentines day, anniversaries, Mother's day, Father's day, Grandparents Day?  Hallmark and other card companies love those days, at least they used to -cards have kind of fallen by the wayside these days.  I understand the need to make people feel special - I do!  But why do we put them on specific dates?  Think about it!  We save up all our love and attention for 1 day a year?  Why?  Because some genius decided that day was significant?  To add more pressure to an already busy life?  It's ridiculous.  

I used to tell my kids that when they got older and married and possibly moved away that any time we were all together would be a holiday.  I swore that I would celebrate Christmas on a Tuesday in July if needed.  The celebration is supposed to be the joy the day brings, not the date on the calendar!  Now some may argue that Religious holidays are different - Easter, Christmas (secret, Jesus was not born on December 25th) etc.  But honestly?  For the majority of the world Easter and Christmas have been overtaken by a Bunny and a fat guy in a Red Suit so no, I don't believe there's a difference!

I have been on a journey to become closer to God.  In doing so I realize more than ever that EVERY day should be celebrated.  There is something good in every single day that God chooses to wake us up in the morning.  Even if it's something as small as a really good cup of coffee or a message from someone you love.  My daughter sometimes leaves me little notes on my coffee pot in the morning - notes of love or appreciation or just funny things.....she doesn't have to wait for Mother's day or my Birthday to tell me she appreciates me.  You don't either - tell the people you love that you appreciate them today. These are moments that need to be cherished and not taken for granted.  I have started sending messages to people when I think about them - hey just thinking about you, hope that everything is well in your world.  Or maybe something that I love about them, or a special memory.  As you can imagine I get back messages usually telling me that they needed that or just that they were happy I thought of them.  Imagine if we all did that every day?  Not just on a date specified on the Calendar.

I am not a fan of New Years Eve - never have been.  I can count on less than 2 hands how many New Years Eves I have enjoyed in 58 years.  Why?  Because the build up and the need to "make it memorable" has, in fact, done just the opposite.  This year my daughter and I decided we weren't doing it.  We were just treating it like any other Sunday.  And guess what?  That's when I realized that I truly do celebrate every day!  I live every day as if there is someone wonderful right around the corner.  Because I know that life can change in a minute - for better or for worse.  And the only moment we have for certain is the present one.  And doesn't that moment deserve to be celebrated?  I think so!  

Change begins with you!  Because it’s not just a day in the life 😉