Musical Inspiration

For as long as I can recall, I have received messages through music. I would often hear a song that reminded me of a specific person and if I reached out to that person, I would find that they also just heard the song and were wondering if they should call me. In recent years, it has been happening even more often. Sometimes, I wake up with a song playing in my head and the lyrics seem to hold the guidance I have been seeking or I'll hear a certain song that shifts the focus of my attention in just the right way.

For instance, the pull to people-please has reared its head again and I have found myself hesitant in moments to just be me, with no apologies for what I think or believe or feel. I have been working on this . . . giving myself permission to just be myself and not worry about what people think or how they might judge me. So I find it funny that I am suddenly hearing a song from my childhood on the radio by Sly and the Family Stone and it has been providing a sweet reminder to keep me on track . . . . in the chorus they sing "I wanna thank you for letting me be myself, again!"  

Another song that has been playing in my head when I wake up lately is Shining Star by Earth, Wind and Fire.  It was one of the first 45s I ever bought and I have always loved the song . . . They sing: You're a shining star, no matter who you are, shining bright to see, what you could truly be . . . I feel like it's not just a reminder for me but for everyone who has been "dimming their light" in order to fit in or not make waves. Right now, it seems like there's never been a more important time for us to shine our light!  The world can look awful dark and bleak if we focus on the challenging things that are happening around us and yet there is a lot of "light" around us too.  It's up to us to decide where we want to focus our attention and our energy.  

And finally - I took this picture one day when I was vacuuming up dog hair (which we never seem to be in short supply of). Kino normally flings stuffed toys around with wild abandon while I am using the hand-vac but on this particular day, he grabbed a bone and just stood there, like he was supervising my work.  LOL  Standing just close enough to the salt lamp a friend bought me, it appeared as if he was holding a flashlight in his mouth. When I looked at the picture later, a song popped into my head . . . I can't help singing it whenever I look at this picture (and now even when I just look at him) . . . This little light of mine - I'm gonna let it shine . . . This little light of mine - I'm gonna let it shine . . . This little light of mine - I'm gonna let it shine - let it shine - let it shine - let it shine. 

It's not that I am ignoring what is happening in the world right now . . . yet I am acutely aware that I get to choose how long I put my attention there or on anything else. I'm choosing to acknowledge what is happening around me, to allow people to be where they are and then shifting my focus to the light and what resonates within my heart. 

Maybe you'll consider being yourself - and letting your light shine too!  After all, you're a shining star, no matter who you are!