7 Ways Music Fills You Up (plus my Summer Playlist)

From the time I was seven years old, spinning Mini Pops on my record player and dancing up a storm on my bed, music has been a huge part of my life. I even wanted to be on Star Search! Fast-forward to the 43-year-old-Melissa-Etheridge-loving-me, and my “big break” never came.

That’s okay, my Karaoke Queen Grandma passed on her gene and I’ll carry on her legacy.

How big of a role does music play in your life?

Whether you make music, sing, dance and breathe music or barely notice it at all, music has its way of impacting your life one way or another. Here are 7 ways music fills you up and rocks your world.

1. Tells Your Story

It always amazes me how songwriters and artists have this incredible ability to share their stories and emotions so deeply through song. And what’s more inspiring, is when they do this, it can so often tell our own stories.

From meeting the love our life to being left behind by that same love. From chasing dreams to forgetting the past. Country music is especially great at storytelling. Yes, I’m a bit of a “country bumpkin”. Don’t judge! ;-)

But make no mistake, Melissa Etheridge sits tall on my artist pedestal! Love, love, love her!

2. Helps You Heal

Besides chocolate and wine, I honestly don’t know what else heals the heart better than music. The right song can help you through your hardest times.

It’s why we make compilation videos at funerals with our loved ones’ favourite songs.

It’s also why we play “our” song over and over and OVER again after a break-up.

Come on, we’ve all done it, right? It’s your greatest love of all, then you break up. It hurts like a B*#ch — and for some stupid reason cheesy love songs get you through the night, and raunchy rap or classic rock gets you through the day! See…healing ;-)

“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.” — Victor Hugo [Click to Tweet!]

3. Helps You Express Your Feelings

Being a music lover, I truly believe in my heart that songs were written solely for ME! Haha…it’s almost like the artist knew my story, was in my head and felt what I felt when they wrote it. Yep you guessed it, there are songs that totally make me cry! ;-)

Do you think like this too? What were your wedding songs and why did you choose them? I walked down the isle to “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri, and I could have sworn it was written for me to express my love to Lisa on our wedding day. It was perfect!

4. Captures Your Memories

Well, you didn’t see me, but while writing #3, I put on my wedding song and smiled as tears ran down my face. Every time I hear that song I can actually see myself walking down the isle with my parents, them handing me to her, me looking at her with my hands and then beginning our ceremony. Now that’s powerful!

Have you ever felt like your past was caught up in a song or an album? I literally know the timeline of my life, relationships, events and experiences by what music was out at the time. (Especially what album Melissa Etheridge released and when ;-) )

5. Brings Out the Creative Side

Sometimes our creative genius needs a little help. As a writer and a speaker, music really inspires me.

It not only sinks into my soul, but if I get stuck I can just stop for a minute, close my eyes and listen to the song. Whether it’s a contemporary love song or a little classical in the background, I find comfort and ultimately, creativity when it’s playing.

6. Gets You Moving

Have you ever wondered why the music is always blaring when you hit the gym? If you think about it, music is everywhere. In restaurants, yoga studios, shopping malls and even on elevators.

It’s because music is so motivating. You want to move. You want to take action. You want to do something. Unless of course you are at home nursing that broken heart, but even then you want to cry and eat cheesecake, yes? ;-)

I was raised on country music, but I also crave positive, uplifting music. Songs that make me want to dance or at least put my running shoes on and hit the treadmill. It’s often said that more upbeat music will have you burn more calories and be more productive overall.

Hmmmm. How about that? :-)

7. Raises Your Vibration

There’s no denying putting on your favourite dance or top-40 hit and singing it at the top of your lungs raises your vibration. And, raising your vibration actually helps lower stress and makes you happier.

Who doesn’t want to be happier? Let’s sing my friends, let’s sing!

I’ve compiled my top faves for you to get moving, raise your vibration and FILL YOU UP this summer. Find my Summer Playlist here.

Music truly is food for the soul. I cannot imagine my life without it. Can you? And no matter who I choose to represent my feelings or experience, I will always remember the impact the song and artist made on my life in that moment.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of the artist, songwriters and musicians out there who inspire us everyday with your gifts. [Click to Tweet!]

What’s your favourite summer song? Let me know and I’ll add it to the Summer Playlist.

Pssst! And be sure to share so music can fill others up too! :-)

More at tamaraspeaks.com