After exploring anger, I was inspired to keep going. I set my intention on overstimulation and overwhelm, a big undertaking for a highly sensitive person. I was making new discoveries and jotting down insightful notes for my next post. Then, COVID stopped by for a visit. Just like those wet grandma kisses I remember as a kid (love you and miss you, Meena!), everyone in the house got their turn.
Of course, ego has no concern for self-care, and it started panicking: “I need to get the next post up, or else [insert irrational fear here]!” I gently reminded my ego — yes, I have conversations with the various parts of me in my headspace — that I’m not trying to post three or four times a week to get millions of views, likes and shares. My goal is to share what I’m learning as I go, whether it’s once a week or once a month. I believe these words will reach whoever needs them when they’re needed most.
But, I do miss writing these entries, these letters, as I like to think of them. I enjoy sharing what I’ve learned in hopes that it helps someone else. Truthfully, it’s also healing for me, and this healing only uncovers more insights to share with you. I find joy in it, and it’s helping me to grow. So when this idea came up, I thought it would be fun, and easier to write within the confines of the COVID brain fog.
Writing these letters is just one of the many ways that helps me feel connected — to my truest self, to the universe, to that all-encompassing energy, the essence of everything, whatever it is you want to call it. I still haven’t found the words that fully capture this feeling (at least, not in the English language). What I can tell you is when, where and how it feels:
It’s a fullness, a wholeness; it’s an utterly safe warmth, an effervescent bliss and a kinetic pull to share it, with everyone. I’ve felt it when I’m alone in the woods or standing on the shore of the ocean. I’ve felt it cuddling in front of the TV with my husband, and when my son asks his big sister to sing him a song and tuck him in at bedtime. I’ve felt it when a conversation goes deeper than the surface, and I realize we’re all much more similar than we are different. And I feel it when I listen to music.
I’ve always suspected that one reason for the wide range of preferences in musical genres and artists, and even individual songs, is because we’re all living at different frequencies at various points along our paths. My tastes in music have fluctuated over the years, but mostly I like a little bit of everything. I have my go-to songs for running and singing and just hanging out. And then, I have my “Love me” playlist.
These are the songs I play when I need a reminder to see the bigger picture, when I need to get out of my head and remember my heart. It has to be a very particular kind of song to make it on the list — one that’s positive and uplifting. I also prefer a good beat that makes me want to dance, and/or sing. These are the songs with a message, one reminding me that I’m good enough, and it’s OK to not be perfect. These are the songs pointing out that as long as I live from a place of love and positive intent; a place where I know I’m good at my core and can own up to and try to repair my mistakes; a place where I can explore, learn and grow; then I’m right where I need to be. Some songs I hear as a letter to myself, and some are reminders that we’re all so deeply connected.
So, here’s my current “Love me” list, in case you find something to add to your favorite playlist:
- Give Love (feat. LunchMoney Lewis) — Andy Grammer (You’ll see a lot of his music because he is just on a frequency that resonates right now. I love his energy, his words and how he opens his heart and welcomes in the world.)
- Joy — Andy Grammer
- Ladies — Andy Grammer
- Keep Your Head Up — Andy Grammer
- Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah) — Andy Grammer
- Don’t Give Up On Me — Andy Grammer
- Damn It Feels Good to Be Me — Andy Grammer
- I Found You — Andy Grammer
- Always — Andy Grammer
- Smoke Clears — Andy Grammer
- Workin’ On It — Andy Grammer
- Grow — Andy Grammer
- My Own Hero — Andy Grammer
- Best of You — Andy Grammer
- Diamond in the Sun — Andy Grammer
- 85 — Andy Grammer
- I Got You — Michael Franti & Spearhead
- Good Day for a Good Day — Michael Franti & Spearhead
- Follow Your Heart — Michael Franti & Spearhead
- Run — OneRepublic
- Beauty In The World — Macy Gray
- Fight Song — Rachel Platten
- (It’s Gonna Be) Okay — The Piano Guys
- Bibia Be Ye Ye — Ed Sheeran
- You Gotta Be — Des’ree
- Roar — Katy Perry
- Shake It Off — Taylor Swift
- Faith — George Michael
- I Just Wanna Shine — Fitz and The Tantrums
- Be Kind — Zak Abel
- It’s Ok — Imagine Dragons
- No Time For Toxic People — Imagine Dragons
- Better When I’m Dancin’ — Meghan Trainor
- A-O-K — Tai Verdes
- Shotgun — George Ezra
- One Less Day (Dying Young) — Rob Thomas
No need to have every little detail figured out right now. I’ll figure it out as I go. And my gift to the world, to you, to my children, is to share what I learn as I go. What if? What if we all saw life through these inquisitive eyes?
Do you have a similar playlist?
What is it called? What’s the theme or the message for yourself? And what are some of your favorite songs on that list?