Words of the Sage or Words of Music?!

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_{Image by Erik Mclean From Unsplash}

"Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you."
-Arnold Palmer

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I woke up this morning to a response from a chat I was having with my friend before falling asleep last night. His message read,

"...I am so tired! Mentally, Physically, and Emotionally. I am beyond exhausted. Everywhere is so stressful, to be honest. I try to run a business and make an honest living amidst the difficulties present in my environment but things keep getting harder.
...Hoping the issues surrounding the ban on bikes are resolved soon. Diesel prices are devastatingly high and these issues are really weighing on my business. I want to stop trying, I am tired of trying."

This message came after I asked him a simple yet powerful "How are you?" I remember a few weeks ago, this same three-word question got me crying like a baby.

I was so overwhelmed and at a tipping point that anything at that moment could have pushed me off the ledge. But that is a story to share some other day. Today is for my beloved friend.

_{Image by Adrian Korte From Unsplash}

Words of the Sage or Not?

I took a deep breath and placed a video call through to him. That had to be one of the weakest hellos I had heard in a really long while. It was evidently from a place of fatigue and weariness. He did not just feel tired but he looked and sounded extremely tired, like someone battered and beaten down.

I was about to go on a whole motivational speech when I just recalled I was in this exact same state not too long ago and I know words did not cut it for me.

I am that friend that usually knows all the right things to say to encourage and make others feel better but somehow these same words did not seem to encourage me, the custodian of these words of the sage.

And So I paused! I smiled at him and cracked a few lame jokes which seemed to cheer him up a bit and then I proceeded to recommend a few songs that are my current favorites to help me clear my head and lighten up my mood.

_{Image by Simon Noh From Unsplash}

Words of Music

I shared with him how music heals, music saves, music restores, music inspires, music motivates and so much more. This time around, I did not have the right words to say to make him feel better because I myself did not believe those words when I was in a similar state but music came through.

These are a few of my current favourites in no particular order and excerpts from their lyrics that resonate with me in such a profound way.

1. Rise Up by Andra Day
...You're broken down and tired
Of living life on a merry go round
And you can't find the fighter
But I see it in you so we gonna walk it out...
...And I'll rise up
I'll rise like the day
I'll rise up
I'll rise unafraid
I'll rise up
And I'll do it a thousand times again...

_{Lyrics From LyricFind}
These words right here remind you that even though you are tired of fighting and feel you are all tapped out, give it another shot and rise up not once but over and over again.

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2. Unstoppable by Sia
...I put my armor on, show you how strong how I am
I put my armor on, I'll show you that I am...
...I'm unstoppable
I'm a Porsche with no brakes
I'm invincible
Yeah, I win every single game
I'm so powerful
I don't need batteries to play
I'm so confident
Yeah, I'm unstoppable today...

_{Lyrics From Musixmatch}
These words here motivate us to put on our armor and prepare for a fight. Fight against the challenges of life and show them how strong and unstoppable we are just like a force.

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3. The Night by Avicii
...One day, my father, he told me
"Son, don't let it slip away"
He took me in his arms, I heard him say
"When you get older
Your wild heart will live for younger days
Think of me if ever you're afraid"...
...He said, "One day, you'll leave this world behind
So live a life you will remember"
My father told me when I was just a child
"These are the nights that never die"
My father told me...

_{Lyrics From Musixmatch}
I have been so hooked on these words lately because it is so easy to let the difficulties, worries, and things going wrong in our lives to prevent us from living every moment to the fullest. I keep reminding myself that someday tomorrow would be a memory and how do I want to remember it.

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4. Happy by Pharrell Williams
...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 offense 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...

_{Lyrics From Musixmatch}
This is just a feel-good song. It is a reminder that even when bad news is anticipated, have a default defense mechanism that helps you bounce back and absorb the shock because happiness is a choice and that is what you are going to choose to be - Happy!

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5. Three Little Birds by Bob Marley
...Rise up this mornin'
Smile with the risin' sun
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true
Sayin', ("This is my message to you-ou-ou")...
...Singin': "Don't worry 'bout a thing
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right"
Singin': "Don't worry (don't worry) 'bout a thing
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!"...

_{Lyrics From Azlyrics}
An oldie but goldie! These words remind us to wake up every morning with a smile because everything is definitely going to be okay, if not today or tomorrow, it will surely be someday.

Every day is not going to be a perfect day and heck, it should not be because truth is the bad days make us genuinely appreciate the good days.

After my call with my friend, he seemed encouraged to at the least take a shower and give the day another shot regardless of the odds.

Special gratitude goes to @mipiano as my appreciation for music has gotten deeper through writing about how it truly impacts me and the people around me and this is thanks to her exceptional #Q-Inspired post.

_{Image by Marcela Laskoski From Unsplash}

"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can."
-Arthur Ashe

Blessings to you all.
Till I come your way again.
Love & Light, Hugs & kisses!
Thank you for reading and Have an amazing day!