In the same way that "Mother Mary," came to Paul McCartney in a dream, encouraging him to just ,"let it be," which of course inspired that song, specific songs seem to come to me as encouragement when I need it the most. Some days, I literally, "wake up to the sound of music," playing in my mind!
I'm familiar enough with the Beatles music, but I will admit that I really started listening to it all after watching the film, Across the Universe, back in 2007! While I have several favorite songs, I tend to gravitate towards the ballads, like "Let it Be," and "Imagine." I think it's amazing that over 50 years later, these songs are still so relevant and bring unfathomable wisdom.
I recently recorded "Let it Be," and "Imagine,"and I want to share the wisdom I've captured from those songs, which all leads back to more joy!
"Let it Be," is a song of surrender, and an acceptance of the now. It's a release of the need to know how everything is going to turn out and it connects us back to hope. Things will still be ok, even during our "hour of darkness." All we can do is keep going and focus on addressing our present feelings and emotions. And our thoughts and perceptions are all we can really control. We can find peace in knowing we will eventually find the answers we seek.
My favorite lyrics from the song are, "and when the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines on me, shine until tomorrow, let it be." I am excited for this year because I'm learning to live in the magic of the now, but I have no idea about what's to come and no exact plans, and honestly, that feels a bit scary. So, when I recorded this song, I felt an incredible release from my soul every time I sang, "let it be." Right now is all I need. Yes it may feel cloudy and unclear, but it gives me even more of a reason to shine and make room for more joy!
Whenever I sing, I feel like I'm shining in the moment and very in tune to my soul. I'm being all that I need to be with very little effort, except of course when I belt out a few challenging notes! Shining in the moment will give me more clarity about the answers I seek and the ability to make decisions when that time comes. Worrying and planning too much just doesn't seem to fit anymore. Have you been feeling this way as well?
Most of us likely know John Lennon's song, "Imagine," that he wrote during a turbulent time in his own life and while the Vietnam War was still going on. While many have recognized this song as a peace anthem or a song about grief, I agree with the author of this article that this song is simply about positive thinking, and in my opinion, about perception.
We can perceive the world around us as crazy, unsettled, and cruel, or we can imagine it in a different way. Our society often wants us to focus on negativity, name all the ways we are different, and allow those ways to separate us. We can choose to see our similarities and be more connected instead. It's up to us, and if we collectively begin to imagine all the amazing possibilities of how we can work together to become the joy-filled world we want to experience, then we will learn to "live as one."
I was amazed to discover that this song also focuses on the now: "Imagine all the people, living for today." If we remove all the things that divide us or distract us and focus on what connects us, then we are not thinking about the past, nor are we worried about the future. We are living just for today and sharing in that experience with each other. We are shining our joy together and that makes the world a much better place!
I truly believe John Lennon was a visionary with this song. He was aware that what he imagined for the world wouldn't happen overnight, soon after the song was released, and it may even be decades in the making: "I hope someday you'll join us." I've recognized a bit of a shift in the world over the past few years, and I am more hopeful that collectively, we have started to blur the lines between us. We've found more dreamers: "You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one." There's also been more of a focus on our humanity and the similar experiences and feelings we share. We know, more than ever, that we are better together!
Friends, I hope you feel inspired today by these songs and you're making room for more joy too!
Shine now!!