Day 3 of 100 days of ME - Music and our destiny...

Day 3 of 100 days of ME

The lesson today is music.  I have found that music plays a significant role in our psyche.  What we listen to, greatly impacts how we feel, emotionally and physically.  Science would tell you that your brain, while listening to music releases dopamine, a chemical that brings intense pleasure to our minds, and bodies.  It can move you to feel some pretty incredible emotions from heavy music giving you the incredible sense of strength and sad songs wiping you completely out.

Now over the past many weeks I've chosen a number of upbeat, sexy workout songs to run to, cycle on my trainer or even listen to in the car on the way to and from work.  When you look at my top songs, my most favourite songs have been ones like:

That's my kinda night by Luke Bryan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crCqWK3SmRo

Sing by Ed Sheeran
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlYcUqEPN58

Wild Wild Love by Pitbull
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAyzpLGBI1E

Crazy by Hedley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjkJ9-pAXHY

Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyDUC1LUXSU

Counting Stars by OneRepublic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT_nvWreIhg

and, the most damning....
All of me by John Legend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdBAfp2eizw

What do all of these songs have in common - a great bass line, great throbbing music where lyrically they detail a deep desire to be with someone....

So what do they cause one to think about while listening to them - hmmm... yes, you are correct in your assumption - they only have had me agonizing over exactly that....

So... the lesson early on in these 100 days is to be very aware of the impact music has on us. It means that when we are specifically trying to be in a certain mood, we should choose very carefully what we are going to be listening to.

Does it mean I will withdraw from these songs - no bloody way! I love them ;)  but it does mean that I will be very much aware of what they are doing to me psychologically, and I'll be much more in control of my thoughts surrounding them.  I won't be fooled by those bass beats into thinking my life is different than it really is - nice try Robin Thicke xo.

It also means I should add to my playlists some material that better represents how I am feeling right now, such as the following samples:

Raise your glass by Pink
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjVNlG5cZyQ

Anything by Hedley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_Dmilr2T10

Billionaire by Travie McCoy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aRor905cCw

Rollin by Ish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbI7CZo7yeI

This is how we Roll by Florida Georgia Line
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbxuXq_981s

There are so many great songs, I've only displayed here the "pop" songs that I enjoy listening to, that motivate me during my workouts but there are classical songs, jazz, instrumental and easy listening that keep us restful, thoughtful and in touch with our own souls.

Just know that music has a huge impact on how we feel about ourselves and our lives - so just like our thoughts - which become actions - we should take the time to choose them, carefully. xoxo

“Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,
Your values become your destiny.” - Mahatma Gandhi