Movies & Music
Do you know what I’m excited about?
Life.
I have spent too long held back by the influence and expectation of others. And I’m done with that. I’m taking control of my own destiny. I’m forging my own path. I’m letting go. I’m defying gravity.
There have been several songs on a non-stop loop inside my head this week encouraging me on my journey. Their lyrics have emboldened me to take the first step on a new path; a path with several destinations, my dreams. I am the master of my own fate, and I’m taking responsibility. And I’ve never been happier about my future. For once in my life, I’m not held back by anything or anyone. I’m free to follow my dreams and create the life I want, not the life that everyone else wants for me.
The following on the songs on this empowering playlist. Listen, and let them give you the same motivation, empowerment, and lust for life they’ve bestowed on me.
1. The Age of Worry – John Mayer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbC5yiuVU1g
“Don’t be scared to walk alone, don’t be scared to like it. There’s no time you must be home, so sleep where darkness falls.”
2. Can’t Go Back Now – The Weepies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JscAwVu2QI
“I can’t really say why everybody wishes they were somewhere else, but in the end the only steps that matter are the ones you take all by yourself.”
3. Shorty Don’t Wait – A Great Big World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T55ZghpMggo
“Take that weight off of your shoulders, so you can rest your head on mine. And when you feel like starting over, well don’t think twice, yeah it’s alright.”
4. The Middle – Jimmy Eat World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKsxPW6i3pM
“Hey, you know they’re all the same.
You know you’re doing better on your own, so don’t buy in.
Live right now.
Yeah, just be yourself.
It doesn’t matter if it’s good enough for someone else.”
5. Hello My Old Heart – The Oh Hellos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I2RGEkFIFc
“Because nothing lasts forever. Some things aren’t meant to be. But you’ll never find the answers until you set your old heart free.”
6. Chances – Athlete
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWayL5NBH80
“Take all your chances while you can. You never know when they’ll pass you by.”
7. The First Days of Spring – Noah and the Whale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szbB-vLVnoQ
“It’s the first day of spring, and my life is starting over again. Well the trees grow, and the river flows, and it’s water will wash away my sin.”
8. Shake it Out – Florence + The Machine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbN0nX61rIs
“And I’m damned if I do and I’m damned if I don’t, so here’s to drinks in the dark at the end of my road.
And I’m ready to suffer and I’m ready to hope. It’s a shot in the dark aimed right at my throat.
‘Cause looking for heaven, found the devil in me,
Looking for heaven, found the devil in me.
Well, what the hell I’m gonna let it happen to me.”
9. Let it Go – Demi Lovato
(yes, I know this one is cliche, but I made the decision to start following my dreams while driving down a South Carolina highway singing this song at the top of my lungs with tears streaming down my face, so I think we’re all entitled to enjoy this song.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHue-HaXXzg
“It’s funny how some distance makes everything seem small.
And the fears that once controlled me can’t get to me at all.
Up here in the cold thin air I finally can breathe.
I know I left a life behind but I’m too relieved to grieve.”
10. Roll Away Your Stone – Mumford and Sons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O-BwV0DDUY
“It seems that all my bridges have been burned. But you say that’s exactly how this grace thing works.”
11. Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise – The Avett Brothers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEr9gMYdkHI
“When nothing is owed or deserved or expected and your life doesn’t change by the man that’s elected.
If you’re loved by someone, you’re never rejected. Decide what to be and go be it.”
12. Brave – Idina Menzel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luiRqbZ7t8U
“This is the moment I stand here all alone with everything I have inside, everything I own.
I might be afraid but it’s my turn to be brave.
If this is the last time before we say goodbye at least it’s the first day of the rest of my life.
I can’t be afraid cause it’s my turn to be brave.”
13. Wake Me Up – Aloe Blacc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_o6axAseak
“Feeling my way through the darkness, guided by a beating heart.
I can’t tell where the journey will end but I know where to start.”
14. Ready to Start – Arcade Fire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oI27uSzxNQ
“Now I’m ready to start. I would rather be wrong than live in the shadows of your song.
My mind is open wide and now I’m ready to start.”
15. Stars (Hold On) – Youngblood Hawke
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gENrzRZ1dY
“We’ve all got the sun to follow.
Hold on, hold on
The stars are bound to change.
Hold on, hold on
Wait for another day.
Hold on, hold on
The future’s not that far away.”
16. Here I Go Again – Whitesnake
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3MXiTeH_Pg
“But, I sure know where I’ve been; hanging on the promises in songs of yesterday.
An’ I’ve made up my mind, I ain’t wasting no more time.
But, here I go again.”
17. Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM7-PYtXtJM
“Well, I’ve been afraid of changing ’cause I’ve built my life around you.
But time makes you bolder, even children get older and I’m getting older too.”
18. No Day But Today (Finale B) – Rent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-w_RNchAsk
“Forget regret, or life is yours to mis. No other road, no other way. No day but today.”
19. Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5E_zXbmrlM
“Here comes the sun, and I say it’s all right.”
20. Defying Gravity – Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlMBcTGJ4YM
“I’m through with playing by the rules of someone else’s game.
Too late for second-guessing, Too late to go back to sleep.
It’s time to trust my instincts, close my eyes, and leap!
I truly hope these songs have brought you some inspiration today. If you are looking for more lyrical inspiration during your journey, check out this Spotify playlist, here.
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