Hello Friends!
I tried something today that I’d seen fellow students doing, but always thought of it as kind of a hassle to do myself.
I listened to my ipod when I was walking to and from class.
Not a monumental concept, but to recognize the change in attitude and perspective on life that I experienced from two 15 minute periods of walking today..I am amazed.
A couple of weeks ago I added a few songs onto my iPod, most of them for my half-marathon playlist, but a couple of fun Disney songs as well. Of course I had to test out the new songs, so I cranked them up and got a surprising number of cleaning projects done around the apartment.
Normally I have a movie or Netflix going on in the background, but I think sometimes it gets distracting if I stop to watch a funny scene or stop to carry my laptop with me to the next room. With music I can sing along and usually end up dancing a bit while I do my cleaning. Yes, cleaning can be fun and a workout!
I listened to my music this morning for the quick few minutes getting ready in the bathroom and I noticed how much it pumped me up for the day.
I had a rather frustrating night when I asked one of my lab members when we were meeting to finish the lab (like we all agreed on) and I was met with snark and general rudeness.
I was taken aback based on my previous encounters with this girl and ended up getting a little defensive and stressed out at how the heck I was going to finish the lab when I didn’t even have all of the data. Getting talked down to by a 19-year-old when I’m already self-conscious about my skills in Chemistry didn’t make for the greatest evening.
I got nothing accomplished and woke up with a sour feeling even after a good night’s rest.
I was already working on my self-love-talk {telling myself I AM intelligent, I don’t need confirmation from my peers to know this and reminding myself that I am uniquely and wonderfully made (Psalms 138:14)} this morning, but I swear God gave me the three most perfect songs to start my morning.
The words that I needed to hear:
- Titanium by David Guetta and Sia
- “You shoot me down, but I won’t fall. I am titanium.”
- Fully Alive by Flyleaf
- About a girl who has way bigger problems than me but shows optimism in her every day triumphs.
- All That Matters by Addison Road
- “This world is like a trampoline. High and low, no in between. Jumpin at the chance to please everyone, but that’s not me cuz all that matters is, all that matters is I know your love has set me free and that’s all that matters to me.”
- Great song to run to.
It might sound silly but I left the apartment with a renewed sense of self this morning.
And with my iPod. On the way to class I listened to songs like:
- Friend Like That by Hawk Nelson
- A favorite upbeat song that gets me running fast.
- Stronger by Kelly Clarkson
- The chorus is the part that applies to my life right now…not necessarily all the stuff about getting over a guy…
- Get Back Up by Toby Mac
- “We lose our way, we get back up again. Get up! Get up! You gonna shine again. It’s never too late to get back up again. You may be knocked down but not out forever.”
It was glorious! I felt alive and happy and ready to conquer the rest of the day!
I think I just needed to refresh my music. I have been listening to the same couple of radio stations in the car and have been hearing the same group of songs. I think I started to take for granted the power of a great song or the beautifully crafted lyrics in my old favorites.
I have a refreshed appreciation for music and hope it’s here to stay!
*~Amanda aka Semi-Health Nut~*
PS Have you checked out my #lovechallenge? 21 days of loving yourself AND others! Let’s develop this habit together! 🙂
How does music affect you? What’s your favorite song/band these days?
I need a music refresh…but mostly because of that thing we’re both calling a 1/2 marathon this spring… 😉
So you’re phrasing almost made me think that it’s not called a half-marathon…weird. Yay for us though!
I need a music refresh…but mostly because of that thing we’re both calling a 1/2 marathon this spring… 😉
YAY. I love that you’re working on the self-love self-talk. I used to listen to 107.1 (the christian station) on my commute to Des Moines when I worked at Drake. I found that I was less pissed off at other drivers (except during the winter) and in a generally better mood. Definitely something to listening to positive music.
Side note, I’ve been watching Glee at work. I think they hate that I’m doing that since I’m an in-house creative person and others aren’t creative (well, as their primary job function anyway). TV helps me focus and be more creative, which sounds weird, but it works.
haha I feel like it’s almost always necessary for something going on in the background while creative things are going!!
YAY. I love that you’re working on the self-love self-talk. I used to listen to 107.1 (the christian station) on my commute to Des Moines when I worked at Drake. I found that I was less pissed off at other drivers (except during the winter) and in a generally better mood. Definitely something to listening to positive music.
Side note, I’ve been watching Glee at work. I think they hate that I’m doing that since I’m an in-house creative person and others aren’t creative (well, as their primary job function anyway). TV helps me focus and be more creative, which sounds weird, but it works.
So you’re phrasing almost made me think that it’s not called a half-marathon…weird. Yay for us though!
haha I feel like it’s almost always necessary for something going on in the background while creative things are going!!