John 16: 24
Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
From Monday to Monday, I’m ears open for a song to highlight on our playlist. This week’s choice conversed with me during parents' weekend at my kid’s college. While we were engaging in a typical “parentals,” as she calls us, visit, we were shopping. Playing on outdoor speakers was this joyful song. When it plays, there is no way not to dance to it. Impossible, and I challenge you to try. It makes you move, it makes you smile and it makes you Happy!
This past week was a bear. There was just so much to do before getting out of town, most of which was put upon me by me, and my frustration level was rather high. When I got out of the car, hearing this music and seeing my beautiful family on a sunny day, I just smiled. My entire demeanor changed, and I knew I wanted this song this week. So I reflected on why.
Some days I visualize life as sand just pouring in on top, and I’m struggling to get out of it before it covers me completely. You ever feel that way, or am I just sharing insight into my own life right now? LOL. Through conversations with people, talking to family and friends, my child, myself, I feel a little suppressed. Notice I said suppressed rather than depressed. I do so because I’m not depressed, but I do feel weighted down by things out of my control. My emotions and activities are suppressed moment to moment or text to text due to a constant multitasking life. The old phrase, the “weight of the world,” is a very true statement. I believe the weight of it is impossible not to bare, because we live in a space where so many live lost, untethered, freely floating in the volatile experiences of life. We find ourselves reacting to everything, trying to catch a break so we can get to our happy place. But how do we do that? How do we find our way to Happy?
More God
“You need more God in your life.”
I keep hearing myself say this to so many folks right now. When I listen to others about their hurt, pain, frustration, exhaustion - self-identifying with them - I feel the only way we can truly find our way to “happy” is through more God. There is no way we can achieve it alone or have someone do it for us.
It’s an active choice to emotionally go somewhere else. It’s a realization that we have to decide to be happy and find that happiness where we are in this moment. Something has to break through the deafening sounds of chaos. Music, music is the best jackhammer God has given us to cut through the noise. It rings in our ears, and a phrase breaks through. Then that phrase captures our attention and in that moment, we shift from one place to another. In this new space, we can get some clarity through the words or time spent thinking within ourselves. With clarity, we find silence to speak to God. Here we may ask for whatever we need, want or hope to find. This space, with God, is the hand that reaches down through the falling sand, grabs ours, and pulls us out. This weekend, in that parking lot, a song pulled me out of my downer headspace, brought focus to the beauty in my life and in that moment of clarity, I prayed a simple prayer, “thank you, Lord,” and I was in a happy place.
Happy.
It’s what we strive for, and it’s what He wants for us. It’s within our grasps if we can center ourselves, find the silence and speak directly to Him.
Take a moment and ponder this - how do you pull yourself out of your “suppression”? What is your trigger to snap you out of it? Are you able to snap out of it? Do you even recognize that you are being emotionally suppressed?
I go back to music. Music is a cathartic experience. When a song moves you, as this one will, pay attention to it, play it, and remember, it is God’s jackhammer to get your attention. When you find yourself anxious, unable to help or in need of help, play music. See if it can shift you to a new place, a soundproof room, silencing the demands around you and in that room, just talk to Him and get a little more God.
It really is that easy.
Week 4 of Mu*sic Monday is Happy by Pharrell Williams. Enjoy!
I apologize for being late in the day for Mu*sic Monday. Please forgive me.
I’m back later in the week with another poem that came to me driving to and from Lubbock. Until then, be happy, be safe and keep pondering things.
KK
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Lyrics
It might seem crazy what I am 'bout to say
Sunshine she's here, you can take a break
I'm a hot air balloon that could go to space
With the air, like I don't care, baby by the way
Huh (Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Here come bad news talking this and that (Yeah)
Well give me all you got, don't hold back (Yeah)
Well I should probably warn you I'll be just fine (Yeah)
No offence to you don't waste your time
Here's why
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Uh, bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down
My level's too high to bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down, I said
Bring me down, can't nothing
Bring me down
My level's too high to bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down, I said
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Uh, bring me down (Happy, happy, happy, happy)
Can't nothing (Happy, happy, happy, happy)
Bring me down, my level's too high
To bring me down (Happy, happy, happy, happy)
Can't nothing (Happy, happy, happy, happy)
Bring me down, I said
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you (ayy, ayy, ayy)
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you (hey)
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Come on
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Williams Pharrell L
I really love what you are saying. Keep it up.
Babs (Mom)