My blog began as a way for me to connect to parents. As I’ve been working with youth and their families for decades, I wanted to write about some of the experiences and give some insight into how children see the world and how we as adults could better connect with them. I rarely write about myself and my family. I felt compelled to write about something a little different this time. More about me, my life and why I am so passionate about working with others through expressive therapies.
Too often I utilize music with my clients in creating art, or as a form to express themselves. Some identify lyrics that explain more about their thoughts, feelings, or just to be understood and heard. I also think about music as a form of creativity, expression, and way to heal.
About a year ago, I was up early in the morning with an idea for another book that I will one day publish. It was interesting how quickly the theme began to form through ideas of songs and quotes that have been inspirational through many of the chapters in my life. The theme was how to keep balanced while dancing to the rhythm of life. It’s about all the obstacles life throws at us, and finding time to be in the moment and enjoy the good things that life has to offer. This can be a difficult task. There have been many chapters in my life from the age of 16 when my father suddenly died, 17 leaving home and my mother to go to college, 23 getting married and having children, 34 starting my business, to age 40 getting divorced and becoming a single mom of two. Although these were not all easy things to go through, I have to say that I thank God for every chapter. While some chapters were more painful than others, without all of them I wouldn’t be where I am today.
It was said to me during many of my obstacles that I don’t look like what I am going through. I told them that I felt there was no other way, and that I had adopted a quote stating, “No matter how you feel get up, dress up, show up, and never give up.” That’s what I needed every day to get through many moments in my life.
My daughter rolls her eyes in jest when she makes a comment about something and I respond by breaking out in song. It seems that there is a song for everything that we say or do nowadays. Music has been a huge part of my life and I incorporate many lyrics as I go through the day. Stevie Wonder’s album, Songs in the Key of Life, sums up how intertwined life can be with music. There is a song or lyric that correlates to numerous situations I, or my friends and family members have experienced.
The Rhythm of Life is a song I learned and sang in chorus while in high school. The song itself does not resonate, but the words “The rhythm of life is a powerful beat, puts a tingle in your fingers and a tingle in your feet,” to me says that life has its ups and downs and as long as we have feeling, we can move through the challenges given to us.
The song that resonates today is “Don’t you worry ’bout a thing” by, yet again, Stevie Wonder. As I enter into a new chapter in my life, my oldest going to college and my youngest entering high school, all during a pandemic, I worry. As a parent, I don’t know how not to. But I can say, that song helps when the worry gets overwhelming. Of course, prayer works very well too. Music helps me to keep the balance while dancing to the rhythm of life, and provides supports so I can be available in helping others.
What’s your song?
NRJiggetts
Replay Counseling and Consulting 