10 Of My Favorite Songs that Have a Positive Effect On My Life
Did you know that music can really help heal your pain?
As a black woman living in America today, with one black son, and a host of other young, old, and in between black man to love and care about; I’m grateful for life. For my life, and the lives of those who are still with us.
And even as I continue to grieve with those who have lost loved ones, I’m grateful for countless non-minorities who are finally waking from their slumber, like when 39 year-old Sara Elliot reflected on this:
“I came face-to-face with my white, middle-class privilege”
Aside from the most monumental thing that I could ever be grateful for (LIFE), here are a few more reasons I give thanks, and I just couldn’t do it without MUSIC.
My Biggest Loves
Music and writing are both the loves of my life, so I wanted to write and share ten of my favorite songs that have truly had a positive effect on me. Many of readers don’t truly realize how music can help heal your emotional pain, and some experts believe it helps with physical pain as well.
Based on what the American Music Therapy Association, Inc., had to say; I think music just might be the thing that many of us could use more in their lives. Notice the statement they made regarding “music therapy” and who and what it focuses on:
“It is an established health service similar to occupational therapy and physical therapy and consists of using music therapeutically to address physical, psychological, cognitive and/or social functioning for patients of all ages.”
While I personally believe those words to be sound and valid, if you’re dealing with physical pain of some kind, you have to make that call for yourself (or your doctor). But when it comes to healing effects that music can have on your mind, I am 100% certain this is true.
Read just one of my many hard knocks life stories and you will readily agree that my life has been a difficult one. That is exactly why I’m able to substantiate the theory about the healing powers of music, when it involves emotional pain.
When Do I Listen
Anyone who has ever known me, knows how much I love music; all kinds of music, and I practically listen to it from sun up to sun down, even though I take breaks in between.
Sure, I’ll watch some television shows or movies, like the rest of us entertainment hogs. But I’ve been known to interrupt a binge session of any one of my favorite shows, because I suddenly get the spirit to hear some music.
Sometimes I ache to hear something in particular, other times, I just want to hear music; any music. When it comes to types of music that I enjoy, I’m all over the spectrum.
In fact, speaking of spectrum, that’s the source of the music I happen to be listening to right now. My Spectrum cable provider has a “Music Choice” channel, for customers who have On Demand programing.
Once upon a time, before I discovered I could have all the power that Youtube allows me instead, I used to primarily listen to the cable music channels.
Now, I’d much rather go to my desktop and tune in to one of my playlists that I put together myself. But sometimes I still listen to the music channels, because they do have a large variety of music styles, eras, and options to chose from.
Among the occasional times I still tune in, is when I wake up and feel too lazy to get to my keyboard. It’s easier just to reach for the remote control and tune into Music Choice. Early in the morning, they play just the right music to coax me out of bed.
Depending on the mood my mind is already predisposed to, I might or might not continue listening, once I finally get up.
Today, I kept it on the channel and I’m currently listening to “Moments” by Bruce Mitchell (2013). It’s a very soothing instrumental piece, with a piano and a flute or piccolo (or some other type of wind instrument).
The tune, and the station, allow my thoughts to be completely my own for the time being. I need that right now, since I’m writing about music. I don’t want any music lyrics disrupting my thoughts, or causing them to take a turn that I didn’t initiate.
Why My Music List
I published a Medium story recently regarding the gratitude I’ve been feeling about my life right now. If you’re truly woke, you look around and see all the hurt, the pain, the death, the bombings and the senseless wars, not to mention the seemingly gradual decline of everything that’s good.
You have to feel some kind of way about it all, that is, if you’re capable of feeling. Sometimes people just start to get numb.
Gratitude is not your first emotion when considering all these atrocities. But for me, these are the very things that help me appreciate where I personally am, in my life, in my place, and in my space.
It helps me realize that even though things my be great for me personally, there is always someone out there — maybe even a little kid — who is going through a whole hell of a lot.
So while I pray for things to get better for the entire world, I’m grateful for what I have.
My Favorite Music Choices
Like I already mentioned, I love all kinds of music, from every era imaginable, so this is by no means a list of all-time favorites (that would be a really hard one to create).
This is merely a list of corresponding songs to go with the list from the above story I wrote about gratitude. I felt this might be a great way to debut my first story in the ‘Songstories’ Publication.
After reading over the following list, you can take a moment to read the other article, and then, you should really be able to appreciate my connection to these particular songs.
In fact, why not listen to the playlist of those same songs when you go read that other story? I already created my Youtube Gratitude songs playlist for your convenience, so please enjoy, and continue allowing music to heal your soul.
BIRDS:
“Fly Like an Eagle” — by Steve Miller Band
I’m grateful for my special connection to the birds in the sky, because they remind me of my deceased ex-husband; the love of my life. One day I’ll:
“…fly like an eagle over the sea. Fly like an eagle, let my spirit carry me. I want to fly like an eagle til’ I’m free…”
CLOSURE:
“Ain’t No Way” — by Aretha Franklin
I’m grateful for finding closure with my mother, prior to her death, because I never really believed we could.
“Ain’t no way for me to love you. If you won’t let me.”
CREATIVITY:
“Closer” — by Goaple
I’m forever thankful to my creative side, and every creative bone in my body. Every creative thing I do, takes me that much closer to what truly makes me happy in life. This song helped me stick with writing my two novels.
“Closer to my dreams…I’m getting higher and higher.”
ENLIGHTENMENT:
“I Am Singing (of Tomorrow)” — by Stevie Wonder
I’m grateful for being enlightened about what’s really in store for mankind’s future. I refuse to worry, because I know and believe in the end result.
“I am singing one day love will reign throughout this world of ours. I am singing of love from the heart.”
HEALTH:
“I Got a New Attitude” — by Patti Labelle
I’m grateful for my health and I take care of myself so I can keep feeling good, mentally, physically, and emotionally.
“I’m feeling good from my head to my shoes. Know where I’m going and I know what to do. I tidied up my point of view. I got a new attitude!”
KIDS:
“Don’t Let No One Get You Down” — by War
I’m grateful for the smiles I see on the future of tomorrow and I try hard to imitate their resilience and help them always keep smiling.
“Don’t let no one get you down, cause if they do, I’ll be around.”
MUSIC:
“Music, You’re the Queen of My Soul” — by Average White Band
I’m grateful for music because it gets me through my life each day and it allows me to do it with joy.
“Music. Sweet music. You’re the queen of my soul.”
SENSES:
“Didn’t Cha Know” — by Erykah Badu
I’m grateful for each and every one of my senses and appreciate the value of them all. And even when one fails me, I still have my mental compass so I don’t get lost.
“…I’m trying to decide, which way to go, I think I made a wrong turn back there somewhere.”
SUNNY DAYS:
“You’re Only As Good As You Think You Are” — by The Whispers
Sunny days are something I’m grateful for, but I can see the sun even in the gloomiest of days. One day I’m hoping to shine just as bright.
“Stars do shine, millions at night, but it’s the sun that gives us light. You can be a sun.”
WATER:
“In the Rain” — by the Dramatics
I’m grateful for the refreshing pleasure and comfort that I always get from water, whether I’m drinking it, or soaking in its’ glory some other way.
“Once the rain starts falling on my face, it won’t even leave a single trace, of the tears I’m crying…”
Thank you all for indulging me and allowing me to take up a bit of your time. Are there any readers out there who would care to share their own list of songs that connect them to a particular emotion? If so, as always, I welcome you to COMMENT & SHARE & FOLLOW.
