Tag: music

Thankful for Lost in the Flow, SUP Yoga, & The Last of the Mohicans Soundtrack

Day 3,944

Growth:

You know you’re working on something personally meaningful when literal hours melt away as you work on it. You go to bed late, you’re exhausted, but at the same time your mind is so energized it can’t help but keep working through the next several steps. You wake up in the morning and the thoughts and ideas are still resonating in your mind. It’s almost like rather than creating it you’re unleashing it, setting it free. Wildly fulfilling for sure!

Appreciation:

Talk about the perfect activity for a crazy hot and humid day like this – Becky and I hit our first Stand Up Paddle Board class of the summer! After a couple of stormed out evenings we were out on the water soaking up the sun while getting wet, enjoying the breeze, and relaxing on the lake. So wonderfully calming and still, the right activity to get outside, be active, and enjoy the heat!

Presence:

Wild how music can magically transport us back to certain times, rekindle old memories, summon old emotions. For some reason the soundtrack of The Last of the Mohicans came to my attention and totally blew my mind. I still remember way back when that movie came out in the early 90’s. I owned the VHS and watched it so many times the tape had to have been about ready to snap! The CD of the soundtrack was one of my most heavily played discs as I fell asleep at night.

The movie itself was outstanding in so many ways. While I can’t remember if the plot completely held up, the music, the scenery, the cinematography, the way they all blended together for the emotion and the feel of an expansive wilderness pushed it over the edge. So many iconic scenes in that movie, but the gut feel of the movie is what really resonates is the overall emotion.

One song, so many memories, so much emotion.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Assuming Positive Intent, Music Therapy, & Connectedness

Day 3,644

Growth:

So often all we need is all around us, it is up to us to LISTEN for the answer. I was caught off guard while re-reading one of my favorite books today. They very briefly hit upon the concept of “Assuming positive intent,” and the profoundly positive impact this can have on our lives and interactions.

Rather than immediately assuming “the other side” is trying to destroy our nation/world what if we instead paused and considered their actions/words from the starting point of assuming positive intent. Why are they responding as they are? What is the underlying issue leading them down this path? Quite often it is likely similar to our own reasons – just executed differently. If we assume positive intent we can more easily listen to understand rather than listen to prove wrong.

This will be in the forefront of my mind – assume positive intent before being so quick to judge.

Appreciation:

Part way through my drive up north this morning I realized I needed some music therapy for my soul. I like to utilize my drive time as learning time, focusing on how to improve myself with what could so easily be dead time rather than alive time. I feel more productive when I spend the time filling my brain with ideas, pausing to digest and consider what I’ve learned.

This morning I needed to spend some time in quiet calm, listening to music to relax my mind and soul. It was time for some therapy, some rejuvenation. I found it in music. For almost half an hour I went from song to song to soak up the energy I needed to feel recharged and ready for the day.

By the time I got to the office my head and heart were in the right palce to dive in and make a positive impact.

Presence:

With so much discontent and anger and hate and divisiveness in our world I found sanctuary and solace in M83’s song Outro.

While driving to the Eau Claire office this morning I almost had to pull the car over as I was completely overcome with the emotion of pure love and connectedness with all people and all creation while this song reached its crescendo.

Pause your life, shut everything else off, turn on this song, close your eyes, and feel the love and connection you have with all people. I hope you will be moved as I was – awakened in the love of the connections we all share.

When it is my time to go this song (from 1:30 on) will be the last music my soul plays before moving on. Beautiful, breathtaking.

Thanks!!!