As I write this post this morning, I am listening to Lionel Richie's "Dancing on the Ceiling." Searching through flickr for my image of the day, I found this one by Stebbi. It made me so happy I had to use it to show how I feel listening to this song.
I have been thinking a lot about play since my marketing seminar this past weekend. We need to feed our creative brains and so I was, pardon the pun, playing around with the word play.
We have always been music-loving beings. we made drums very early in our evolution and early on we learned to dance. When we were little we danced without concern or shame. As adults, many of us say "I don't dance" when the invitation is given to us.
What a shame. Even if it's only in the privacy of our homes or our cars, getting into music that moves us is so good for our bodies, our cells, and our world.
Imagine the reduction in road rage if we were all rocking out to happy music?
Part of my training as an Expressive Arts Therapist was in Music and Dance Therapy. Here are my tips about how your playlist can help you bring your a game and your best life:
image: "What a feeling. Dancing on the Ceiling" by Stebbi.
We hold so much emotion in our bodies. Ask any holistic practitioner what they are seeing now, and I bet that acupuncturist, massage therapist, chiropractor or other health professional will tell you everyone has shoulders up in their ears and looks like they have been curled up in a ball under the bed. Which they probably have.
We've all been there. And lately a lot of us have been scared, which is only natural. But most of us would like to feel better now, right? And sometimes the brain is not the place to start.
The brain is excellent at spinning its wheels on whatever thought it is focused on. And when we have gone down the rabbit hole of panic it is most certainly not the mind that is going to get us out. Music is a great resource for moving energy. One great music therapy technique is called "Song Recall." My fellow grad students and I LOVED this one. Ever have a song stuck in your head? One that drove you nuts? It's probably trying to tell you something.
Whenever you have a song in your head- look up the lyrics. This is easy to do online these days, as long as you know the title. Then read through them. Usually the song you have recalled has a message for you that is right on the money. Let your subconscious and the arts help you move ahead- I've seen amazing leaps made this way. Music can do even more...
Anyone who has ever gone dancing knows the incredible release of energy it can bring. Dancing is a great way to get the stuck places moving and this change can radiate out into our whole lives. I danced my way through photo school in the darkroom for 8 hours a day at least and I have never been in such good shape. I am sure this movement was what allowed me to keep coming up for ideas for image after image for an entire year of intensive study. Dancing kept me limber in my body and in my creative space.
My good friend Erin has an amazing running mix that she plays when she runs to get her through- I am sure many of you do the same when working out.
What if we had a playlist for working? No need to keep that energy for exercise- lets pump up the rest of our lives, too.
A funny story- which guarantees my dad will read this post and bust me- I had to borrow my dad's car once when mine was being repaired during a visit home during college. I turned on the stereo, expecting the speeches of Winston Churchill or some other soundtrack I associate with my dad's taste. No way. I was greeted with the Soprano's soundtrack driving around in my dad's black sedan all week. And you know what? I felt like I was about to make some deals.
Whatever music makes you excited to do your best- and my dad does build affordable income housing, not break kneecaps as his soundtrack suggests, but if your choice of music makes you feel strong and ready for everything- you will do a better job.
As I've been working on this post, I have my iTunes open and I am scrolling through my music to make a "Values Rock" mix. I am sure that infusing my intentions to rock in my business will help me to play at success in a big way that translates into moving ahead.
If you were really on top of your game and playing big, what would your soundtrack be? I'll post mine in the comments when it's done- you do the same and we can all rock together.
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