Every single one of us possess notes and melodies that have the potential to become a comforting anthem for someone else. These songs can come in musical form, like the songs Avery sings, but they can also come in action form like the ones Natalie creates with flour and butter, seeds and soil.
In my lemon-yellow bedroom with shag green carpet, I\u2019d spend hours making mixtapes for friends and family. Later, I became a master at burning CDs, which I slid into hand-decorated covers that I would mail long distances to excited recipients.
The solution was quite simple. If a song reminded me of someone or their situation, I would find a link to the song online, and I\u2019d send it to them digitally. Although this gesture involved minimal effort and had no pretty cover, the recipient\u2019s reaction indicated it was still a gift.
That\u2019s what my friend said years ago when I sent her a musical lifeline. She was 1000 miles away, unpacking boxes in her new place for her new life\u2026 after so much change\u2026 after so much pain.
Like me, Katrina knows you don\u2019t hold on to a song. She knows music has the power to carry us through. Katrina also knows what I sound like singing along at live concerts because I always send her an obnoxious video.
\u201CEven though it seemed like no one was listening,\u201D Mat said gently strumming his guitar during a rare meet & greet, \u201CI kept singing the songs I wrote as prayers, not answers to questions.\u201D
In my latest book, Soul Shift, I share several stories about the impact of songs on my healing journey. I make a point to say that I don\u2019t believe songs of impact come only in musical form. I write:
You have a song,
and I have a song.
It will take courage to share it,
because not everyone will understand it.
Some will find fault in even the most beautiful tune.
But this process of offering our songs is not about everyone;
it\u2019s about one\u2014
the one who needs the very song you wrote.
the one who feels less alone because of your voice.
the one who feels brave because she sees you being brave.
About a month ago, I made a playlist of songs that I\u2019ve been listening to on repeat. Each song has a line or two that inspires me to keep \u201Ccoloring myself in\u201D, a powerful description offered by one of our community members about the process of self-discovery.
Of course, I am giving you the playlist to honor my wise, younger self that knew it wasn\u2019t right to hold on to song. Paid subscribers will find the 15-song playlist below, along with the Zoom link to our live treehouse gathering on Friday, March 15.
If you\u2019re a free subscriber and would like to participate in these uplifting gatherings, as well as have the full community experience here at the treehouse, please upgrade your subscription by clicking this button
795a8134c1