Dear tuned-in parents – I talk a lot about having songs for your baby to transition from one thing to another. Diaper to new diaper. Clothes to pajamas. Awake to asleep.
Well, today’s Tuesday Tune-in is about a song for YOU to transition – from this year to next year.
Your theme song is powerful.
It can be an acknowledgement of where you are.
Example: Sara Bareilles’ “She Used to be Mine.” There was a time a couple of years ago when this was my theme song. Looking back on that time, I see that I was mourning a part of myself. The song helped me reconnect through some sadness and kindness to myself.
It can be a motivator to keep going.
Example: “Eye of the Tiger,” the Rocky theme song. In my twenties, I dated a grunge rocker/ snowboarder. He brought me to his home state of Vermont to learn how to snowboard myself and let’s just say I fell. A lot. On my head. But what I did have was a theme song. Every time I fell, I took a moment to absorb the pain and frustration. Then I found myself getting back up while singing quietly to myself, “Rising up, back on my feet…”
It can be anything that makes you feel like your truest self.
Theme songs have always gotten me going. Not to say that they’re always happy and upbeat. But they’re always honest. They always act as a reminder of what I need to grow.
The amazing part is that most likely your theme song is already playing in your head – as you go to sleep, take a pause in your day, do something that energizes you or something that you dread.
Our mind is like a jukebox with a playlist of its own. And every now and then one record keeps spinning because it is the one we need to hear.
For me, for the beginning of this year, two songs have been playing on repeat in my head. Interestingly, they seem contradictory. But dammit – so is life.
The first is an oldie, Otis Redding’s masterpiece – “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay”. It reminds me to take it slow, enjoy the breeze, notice the view, and breathe. I think this was actually spurred by one of my sweet students who requested that I play the song in class. Since then its been at the top of my mind and the tip of my tongue every time I pick up the guitar.
The second is by 2019’s queen of self-empowerment for women – Lizzo. Her song “Good as Hell” reminds me to locate that little often forgotten voice inside me screaming – “I am the shit!”
So dear Tunester, as you plunge into a new beginning, what’s your song?
We don’t need to pick out our theme song for the whole year because it will change many times.
I’m suggesting that we pick out our theme song for these next couple of months. The beginning of the year is a special time. We all feel just a little bit more motivated to do our best, to turn a new leaf, to start a project or to kick old habits.
So your homework this week is fun homework.
On your commute, at home with your babies or on the treadmill; search through new songs and old songs and see what resonates with you.
Having a theme song is like having a friend that reaches out of hand and picks you up when you need it or makes your step a little bit bouncier when it drags.
The best possible scenario is for us all to share our theme songs together. It’s like sharing the lullabies that we use with our babies. It gives us ideas and opens our mind to directions we haven’t thought of.
Please share it in the comments so that we can all get ideas.
These things are always more fun together. Forward this to your friends and tell them you’ll share yours if they share theirs.
Yes! Please send me the Tuesday Tune-In!
