January 15, 2024

I've been exploring music that relates to my 2024 theme - The Power of Love

The obvious choice was Huey Lewis' The Power of Love. A song from my childhood and an easy song to get stuck in my head. 

You don't need money, don't take fame
Don't need no credit card to ride this train
It's strong and it's sudden and it's cruel sometimes
But it might just save your life
That's the power of love

My favorite so far is Garth Brooks' Standing Outside the Fire. I'm not a country music fan, but Garth Brooks is pretty good and I love this song. I first heard it on a road trip over a decade ago. My friend Dave made us some mixed CDs 💿 for the trip and he included the song. It's all about embracing love and life, taking the risk of living and loving fully.

Life is not tried it is merely survived
If you're standing outside the fire

There's this love that is burning
Deep in my soul
Constantly yearning to get out of control
Wanting to fly higher and higher
I can't abide standing outside the fire

I've done a lot of standing outside the fire in my life, trying to protect myself from pain and heartache. But it came anyways. So I'm trying something new. Letting go of so much self-protection and embracing love as much as I am able. I want to love, even when it's hard. When it feels risky and vulnerable. 

I've come to believe that love is the most powerful thing there is, as hokey and after school special as that sounds. Love has made me strong at times, given me the courage to face difficult emotions and situations. It's been the basis for deep and profound healing and compassion for myself and others.

Love brought me home when my mom got sick. It kept me going when taking care of her when she was dying. It gave me the achingly sad, yet profoundly beautiful moment of my sister and I holding her hands when she took her last breath. It keeps me connected to her always.

I've been reconnecting with my heart for a while now, feeling when it's full and when it's empty. Feeling whatever comes up, instead of pushing it away. 2024 is the year I want to focus on the power of love and see what happens as a result. To remember to return to love, to my heart, even when it's hard or it doesn't seem to make any sense. To find out what else love has the power to create, to heal, to transform.

And when I forget or feel like I can't possibly bring love to a particular situation, I can play Standing Outside the Fire to help me remember my intention and how I truly want to live this life of mine.

Is there a song or two that speaks to you and what you want to focus on in 2024? 

I started a YouTube playlist any of you can add to, as long as you have a Google account and are signed in. This is the first time I've tried this, so hopefully I set it up correctly. Let me know if you have any technical difficulties. This short tutorial goes through the steps to add to the playlist. You're also welcome to leave a link to the song in the comments below if adding to the playlist doesn't work for you.

I invite you to also tell us what the song means to you and your intentions for 2024. Your stories are welcome and encouraged :)