Welp, anyone’s thoughts that turning the calendar to a new year might magically help things was….hopeful, but wrong. The days still bringing uncertainty and require us to navigate a host of emotions. There are many coping mechanisms, but one I wanted to remind you is particularly useful. Music is the language of the soul, that can help from therapy to mood enhancement. Music has the ability to connect you to your emotions, which can help you process things. A sad break up, a sunny day, a bit of melancholy can all find mirrored expression in song.

However, sometimes you don’t want to stay where you are. You don’t want to keep experiencing what it is that you’re already feeling. You need to move on from that space. That is when music can become a very useful tool

Sometime in life you look around and realize that YOU are the leader, the one in charge, even if that just of a party of one: yourself. It’s then that you realize emotions- though valuable and important, meant to connect us with human and spiritual experience- were never meant to be the Guide, the Boss, or the Captain. Emotions are fickle, easily swayed, and often swelled. They make a terrible front man.

There’s a quote from the U.S. Navy SEAL Creed that feels so appropriate.

“I serve with honor on and off the battlefield. The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of circumstance, sets me apart from other men, uncompromising integrity is my standard. My character and honor are steadfast. My word is my bond. We expect to lead and to be led. In the absence of orders, I will take charge, lead my teammates, and accomplish the mission“.

We can’t lead with emotions. So what can we lead with? How about leading with what the world needs most right now? How about we lead with Love.

Love is not just an emotion. Love is a state of being, a character, and a truth. Love is many things, but it is never pushy, controlling, or thoughtless. Love is selfless, patient, forgiving, and kind. Love is a force to be reckoned with. Love sometimes requires great bravery, because hatred wages a war against it.
But Love shows up anyway, creating the necessary. And Love never fails.

It’s time we let Love really lead us.
For that to happen, though, I don’t know about you, but I can’t find enough in myself. Not the emotion love nor the bravery to act on it. It’s not hidden with the change and the crumbs at the bottom of my handbag. It’s not tucked into a coat pocket and forgotten like a dollar bill. It’s not in the pantry or available from prime delivery.

I have some measure of love, from what I’ve received. But what happens when I get to the end of it? When my fuse is short or my well is dry? When I want to give more but can’t seem to do it. When all I want to do is hide?

Real deep Love is not from me, it’s not by me. But it is everywhere, and it’s abundant. It comes from God alone and it’s perfect.
All I ever have to do is position myself underneath the flow of its incredible grace.

I don’t have to create the love or courage that I need for these trying days. I need to only lead myself, lead my emotions and my overworking brain, to a place where I can receive it.
I need only to position myself beneath the waterfall, beside those still waters.

Then what splashes out of me when I’m bumped, spills over when I’m full, or pours from of me when I’m broken will be something that’s beyond me.

The only way for that to happen is to let the good stuff in. How the heck do you do it?
With prayer. With reading good stuff. And for me, so often, with music.

Music has been an incredibly beautiful piece of the picture for me. Every day, at various times throughout the day, I turn on songs that literally seem to fill my soul. They not only encourage me, they remind me of that great Love God has for me, and the great love he has for the world. You don’t have to listen to what I listen to. But you can be mindful of what you are feeding your soul.

While the world has been crazy about healthy, organic, Non-GMO, vitamins, supplements, and superfoods, they have neglected to think enough of what we are feeding our souls.

Needing courage? Then put in courage.
Needing peace? Plant peaceful songs or instruments. Need more love? How can any of it still out of you if it hasn’t been put in? Listen to songs that fill you with the deep waters of the Love that there is for you , especially from the divine source . For how can anything good pour out of us unless it’s put in there? Life is constantly bumping against us, things are always spilling out. So it’s time we take responsibility as grownups, and feed ourselves the way we should. With what both we and the world need.

You don’t have to listen all day or even any day. Start with a song that makes you feel more of the love that your soul needs. Stop feeling thirsty, and give yourself what you need. See if you feel any differently after listening, go from there. There’s no right way to do this. There’s just finding a better one each day.

I decided to put together a playlist to share of some of my favorites. It’s on Spotify, which seems like the easiest way, and you can access it here>>>>playlist.

In case you’re not on Spotify (which is super easy and free in case you’re wondering), I wrote down the playlist. You can search for theses songs on whatever platform, video service, or music streaming service you prefer!

1- The Voice of God – Dante Bowe**

2-The Story I’ll Tell- Maverick City Music

3- The Blessing (Live)- Kari Jobe

4- You Hold It All Together – Maverick City Music

5- Awake My Soul- Hillsong Worship

6- Protector (Live)- Kim Walker Smith

7- Pieces (spontaneous) -Bethel Music **

8- Sing My Way Back- Steffany Gretzinger

9-No Fear In Love – Steffany Gretzinger

10- Reckless Love (Spontaneous)- Bethel Music

11-House on a Hill- Amanda Lindsay Cooke **

12-Sails (Live)- Pat Barrett

13-Always Good (Live)- Hannah McClure

14-It Is Well – Kristene Dimarco

If this is a new concept for you, and you’re feeling unsure about it, I get it. I starred a few songs that are really beautiful starting points.
Even if you never listen to any one of theses songs, I hope that this has made you think about what kind of steps that you can take to ensure a little more peace and love in your days. I know, everyone could use more of both right now. Xoxo