Song of The Week - Anxiety Tip - Music Soothes and Inspires

Valerie June's Man Done Wrong 

Discover awesome new music....

As part of my intention to be a ever better host for and channel of sound, I am starting a weekly post that features a song I LOVE at the moment.

I will start with my sweet Valerie June. At the end of this article you will find how this weekly post can be of benefit to you as you create the life you love and push the edges of your unknown. 

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I first heard the haunting asian-style chord progression of Man Done Wrong from bed as I was waking in the morning. Sleep shaking off of me, Valerie June's simple lyrics and stunning arrangements entered into me without resistance and shot straight into my heart. I fell in love HARD.

She is the kind of artist that I LOVE to find. Someone whose music is so moving that you listen on repeat for weeks while you sit back and watch as the songs allow more of you to emerge. Their art makes a process of self discovery so enjoyable. 

I had a moment driving down the canyon after spending some time in the mountains by the creek this week. Long Lonely Road was playing as I cruised around a corner. The sun hit just right through the bare trees. I felt the relief of opening and gratitude for life itself. She may never know how her music touches and enhances our lives, but those are the most precious kinds of benefit. Spirit. Alive. 

I feel so much permission in her voice. I know that in this world we often feel that we are not enough. I could easily see a Valerie June in some of my clients who might think that their unique sound is not "right or "good enough" because they haven't seen it in pop culture. Valerie June's voice is truly her own and I am grateful that she has embraced it and taken it out into the world as a reminder to all of us to ride the animal of our own beautiful, strange and simple sounds. 

Thank you Valerie June!

Check back next week to discover another amazing artist who I am moving and shaking to.

Here is how sharing others work can be of benefit to ourselves and each other - the lesson in the practice:

1. Generosity.

I feature artists who are stellar and share their gifts for their benefit, of mine and for yours. Send me your favorites, or YOUR OWN songs if you want to be featured. It just might happen. This is all about connection - giving and receiving. 

2. Soothing.

In my work as a therapist I noticed that the youth I worked with had one MAIN coping skill in common. It was MUSIC. Their music allowed them to access their feelings. Whether it was SCREAMO that allowed them to feel pissed, Moby that allowed them to feel numb or Rihanna that allowed them to feel sexy, it was the listening that provided access to their felt sense emotions. 

3. Celebration.

Look around and admire. Draw out the qualities you love to see in people. Celebrate the victories of other humans. I love to see genius expressing. Calling it out makes it more.  

4. Curiosity.

I wonder what I could learn 4 months, or a year from now, having shared, celebrated and praised someone else's work. I want to push myself to grow. How are you growing in your life right now?