Day Three

Okay, when I said I was doing the 30 day music challenge, you guys didn't expect me to actually finish it in 30 days right? Good.

BTW, I am going to start answering these prompts on impulse. It is truly unrealistic to think I might be able to provide the be-all/end-all solutions for this posts. But I will put thought and effort into each of them. Hence the large gaps between days. :)

Day 3: A song that makes you happy.

Tik Tok, by Ke$ha

Before you judge me for choosing to listen to any person who opts to not spell her name with letters, but with currency symbols, give me a chance to explain.

I love beat driven music. I find them much easier to dance to. And given my dances moves look similar to a baby giraffe learning to walk, I need all the help I can get.

This song also reminds me of my really good friend, Pam. She introduced me to this song, and shortly thereafter we listened to the song on repeat for probably close to an hour or so. And while it does promote lots of drinking, it does give a great piece of advice:

"The Party Don't Start 'til I Walk In"

Hey, it might sound vain, but own that line! I love walking into a BBQ, cheese party or birthday gig knowing that the party would have a different vibe if even one less person was there. Especially if the person was me. Ha! So own it, ladies and gents alike!

loves!!

Day One

A friend of mine did this music challenge on Facebook. It was really fun to follow along with her, so I've decided to also play! Basically, I'll be posting songs and videos in response to the prompts! Feel free to play along, whether you want to answer the prompts in the comments section or start your own challenge!

Day 1: Your Favorite Song

This is an unfair one, as I change my fav song ALL the time! But pretty consistently I have loved the song Fuel by Ani DiFranco.

Granted, its most like beat poetry, but I love it. The song reminds me of my brother Bill, my sister Marri, my parents, my friends and driving with my windows down. It makes me wish I had pursued acting and reminds me of the joy of performing. Here is the version I like the best, though the video paired with it is kinda lame. Enjoy friends!

Some Clarity Would Be Nice

Thank you to Arielle for the mixes over the years. I have been slacking in this department, but I took some time and created a brief collection that expresses me very well...here are my tunes! Sorry this is very lengthy, but it has to be. At least check out the great lyrics on each song if you don't read the whole post. :)

1. Dog Days are Over (Florence and the Machine) - This song is emotionally charged, which really describes my recent self. Great lyric: Happiness hit her like a bullet.
2. I'm Moving On (Rascal Flatts) - This song holds holds all the words that I needed to believe that everyone was saying to me. Its a sing that really shows the truth of having to do what is right for you, even if it sucks to admit you need to. Great lyric: I've loved like I should, but lived like a shouldn't.
3. When the Tears Fall (Tim Hughes) - I had many a night where I was bawling asking "why?" with seemingly no answer. I was not so good at the praising part, but I truly grasp this song. Great lyric: When my heart aches, Lord, are you there?
4. The Warrior (Scandal) - No mix is complete without an 80's hair glam song. I am totally empowered by this song...no real reason. Great lyric: Shooting down the walls of heartache BANG! BANG! I am the Warrior!
5. Everything is Everything (Lauryn Hill) - This song in the musical equivalent to my recent catch phrase "it is what it is." Plus, Hill has a beautiful voice. Great lyric: Everything is everything.
6. The Long Way Around (Dixie Chicks) - There is not really a better way to explain this song. Just listen to the words. You'll get it. Great lyric: Guess I could have made it easier on myself.
7. Filled with Your Glory (Westmont Chapel Band) - This song brought me back to my roots. To Arielle, Helen, Hayley, Rusti, Cory, Mary...to the place where my faith really started to take shape. It also taught me about community. That among the family that isn't blood, but bond, I can recover from this and my faith can be stronger. Great lyric: As the fire is raging on, your word becomes my song.
8. Drumming Song (Florence and the Machine) - It invokes that sense of something that you can't escape thinking about. I have spent a ton of time trying to get away from my thoughts, but unfortunately the thoughts don't stop. The truth is my fears and hurts and joys circle my head with extreme ferver and at night sometimes it feels just like a drumming. Great lyric: There's a drumming noise inside my head that throws me to the ground.
9. Home (Michael Buble') - Home is the concept that I long for so much... The tone of this song just displays that yearning for home. Great lyric: May be surrounded by a million people, I still feel all alone.
10. Come Close (Ginny Owens) - This song sounds like a prayer and kinda like a stream of consciousness to God. I love the rawness of it Great lyric: My heart will not let go, until you come close.
11. Need You To Love Me (BarlowGirl) - This whole process has left my re-evaluating everything, and praying to God for the basics. That my faith be restored and that I understand His love. Great lyric: Your love makes me see who I really am.
12. The Heart of the Matter (India.Arie) - I heard this song while rediscovering India.Arie...the song had me in tears (granted, not very hard) within the first verse, and kept me there for the entire song. I'm finally in this place. Great lyrics: I've been learning to live without you, But I miss you baby. (and) I've been trying to get down to the heart of the matter, but my will gets weak and my heart is so shattered.
13. Don't Stop Believin' (Journey) - This song needs no explanation. Great lyric: Hold on to that feelin'!
14. If You Say Go (Westmont Chapel Band) - I have sung this song a thousand times, both in times of frustration and in times of celebration. Its really a comfort song to me. I have been asked a lot if I could do what is right, even if its the hard choice. And I can. Thank for my friends who "go" along with me. Don't get me wrong, most of the time I go kicking and screaming. my faith has survived this, pressed but not crushed. Great lyric: If you call us to the fire, we will not withdraw our hand.
15. New Soul (Yael Naim) - This quirky song fits how I am feeling in my best of times. Kind of that fall down and being able to laugh way. Great lyric: Finding trust and love is not always easy to make.
16. A Beautiful Day (India.Arie) - India is awesome at taking biblical truths and setting it to music. This song embodies the scripture that says "His mercies are new every morning." Great lyric: Life is a challenge, not a competition.
17. Faithful To Me (Jennifer Knapp) - I have often sung this prayer. At times of guilt, regret, reconciliation, and redemption. Its a great closure to my mix, because it leaves things open...the process is not over and I am far from figuring everything out. But I am recognizing faith during this time. Great lyric: I have cast my lots, dropped my guard, searched aimlessly, for a faith to be faithful to me.

El fin! Hope you enjoy. I recommend listening to these tunes...let me know if you need help finding any recordings! Oh and just a heads up, this took me a long time to complete, like over a week. I'd be curious to know what songs would be rocking on your current events mix.

Loves!