Music is so powerful! It truly can help us to give words to and express so many different emotions that we simply cannot explain or express any other way. So many memories are tied to specific songs, and hearing even just a few notes of the song can bring up such strong emotion. Music can help us express pain, anger, sadness... as well as pleasure, happiness, and joy... and everything in between.
I have many different types of music that I like to listen to, depending on my mood and what's going on in my life. Some of the songs that have moved me can be found on my other blog, Unfolding the Rosebud (some of the ones listed on that blog are also found below).
I previously made a playlist with songs of hope... you can check it out here, My Playlist: Songs of Hope. The playlist includes many songs that I enjoy listening to often. They have words of hope and encouragement. I hope you'll take some time to listen to some of those songs, but I'd like to share some different ones in this post.
Behind the Scenes by Francesca Battistelli
This song really speaks to each and every one of us. We all have so much more going on than what others can see from the outside.
Things aren’t always what they seem / You’re only seeing part of me / There’s more than you could ever know / Behind the scenesI find this especially true for those living with chronic pain / illness:
You may think / I’m just fine / How could anything / Ever be out of line?
Sometimes I can’t see / Anything / Through the dark / Surrounding me / And at times I’m unsure / About the ground / Beneath my feet / If it’s safe and soundIt's important that we be compassionate to one another because every single one of us is fighting some sort of battle. And, we can have comfort in know that
When it’s hard to find hope in the unseen / I have peace in knowing it will find me
I always have so many questions stirring in me, and this song speaks so well to that. I don't slow down well. I don't like that things take time, but it's the way things are... and it's more the way my life is now than it ever was before the accident. Everything takes much more time than before. It's frustrating, and it makes me wonder 'why.' There are so many questions, but I must always keep my faith in the Lord.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." (James 1:2-3)
I wanna know why pain makes me stronger / I wanna know why good men die / Why am I so afraid of the dark, / But I stray from the light?
And I wonder why / Sometimes the truth ain’t easy to find / I wanna know all the answers / But I’m learning that / These things take time
This song speaks to the fragile nature of our human form. But, we're reminded that we're shaped by the "light we let through us," which is so true. Jesus tells us that “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
We may shine, we may shatter... / We are fragile, we are human / We are shaped by the light we let through us / But we break fast 'cause we are glass' / Cause we are glass
It can be difficult to let others in, letting them see who you really are. But we all are fragile and imperfect. We should try not to judge one another, as we all bear our own burdens. I'll be the first to admit that I've never been very easy to get to know... I've gotten pretty good at holding others at arm's length, not letting them see me. But, I've been more open and honest, since my accident (at least here on my blog, and with those that I feel truly care and are trying to understand, rather than judge). I feel like sharing my experiences (both good and bad) is cathartic for me, and could help others. So,
I'll let you look inside me / Through the stains and through the cracks... / But try not to judge me / 'Cause we've walked down different paths
I absolutely love this song! Both the song and video are very powerful. I think the message is great for everyone that is in a dark place in their life. There is still hope, and you can battle through and rise higher than ever... "like a skyscraper."
You can take everything I have / You can break everything I am / Like I'm made of glass / Like I'm made of paper / Go on and try to tear me down / I will be rising from the ground / Like a skyscraper / Like a skyscraper
In the video, she's barefoot, making her way through a barren desert. I think the imagery is right on. In the midst of dark times, it can often feel like we're alone... trying to make our way through a barren land. But, we can make our way through it, and rise to new heights. I think skyscrapers are truly marvelous...
I Won't Let Go by Rascal Flatts
I'll leave you with a song that always leaves me in tears... but that also gives me great peace and comfort (thanks, again, for sharing this song with me, my 'lil dove).
I'll leave you with a song that always leaves me in tears... but that also gives me great peace and comfort (thanks, again, for sharing this song with me, my 'lil dove).
Perhaps this would be a good song for my blog's theme song... I think this song is so beautiful! Even though I'm in the midst of my own storm, I want to help make sure that others know that they're not alone either.
It’s like a storm / That cuts a path / It breaks your will / It feels like that / You think you're lost / But you're not lost / On your own / You're not alone
There are others out there that are facing similar challenges. And, even if I can't completely understand what you're going through...
I will stand by you / I will help you through / When you’ve done all you can do / And you can’t cope / I will dry your eyes / I will fight your fight / I will hold you tight / And I won't let go
This post was written as part of the Health Activist Writer's Awareness Challenge (HAWMC).
