Brave

I have been doing a lot a traveling to and from appointments. Although some of the time I spend contemplating and wondering, I cannot do that all of the time. I tend to listen to the radio to give me noise. I have found some pretty great songs that are so motivating.

Today, as I was commuting to my appointment, a song came on that I had heard before but took on a whole different meaning. What song is it? Brave (Sara Bareilles) It hit me when I heard the line "let the words fall out. Honestly, I want to see you be brave." I began to think how many times do we yield our own progress because we are too scared to what may happen, or don't think we can do it, or lack the courage to take that blind leap of faith. Yet, if we are brave, we won't worry about those things.

What is the hardest part about what you are facing? What can you do to be brave so that you can see the success? How you get rid of the fears that plague you?

Here's my story. Currently, I am in vocal therapy because I have been without a voice for 3 months. These three months have been difficult. Through the therapy, I have realized that I am scared to make certain noises. I am struggling being loud, because I lack the confidence in everything function correctly. I fall back on the old habits, which are easier and more comfortable. As I listened to this song, it reminded me what therapist has said about letting the words come out naturally and making it easier. Today she even mentioned it takes confidence. This part of the song hit me at that point:

"Everybody’s been there,
Everybody’s been stared down by the enemy
Fallen for the fear
And done some disappearing,
Bow down to the mighty
Don’t run, stop holding your tongue
Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live
Maybe one of these days you can let the light in
Show me how big your brave is"

We have to face our fears (easier said than done, I know). If people choose to judge us, that is their problem. If things don't work out or come out exactly how we want them to, there is always next time. We can take these experiences, be brave, and make each effort a little better and a little easier.

Through this loss of vocal ability, I have learned how important our words and speech really can be. It has made me realize that when I talk, I want it to be something that will help someone, help me, or make a difference.

Think for a minute of a trial you are facing. How has it affected you and how has your fear impeded the process? Now think, how can you change that fear and show "how big your brave is"?

Check out the video. It is super-fun and made me smile.

Motivation & Miracles

We all have sayings that help us to get through the struggles life throws at us. When I woke up this morning, I had a song enter my head, and it has yet to leave. As I have listened to it and pondered the words and meanings, it has become motivational to me. We get down and discouraged during hard times. We can turn to our comfort foods, our de-stressing activities, or just clam it all in. However, when things pop into your head that could help, please look into them. They will help.

The words to this song were just what I needed to hear.

"When You Believe"

Many nights we pray with no proof anyone could hear
And our heart's a hopeful song we barely understood
Now we are not afraid although we know there's much to fear
We were moving mountains long before we knew we could

Oh yes, there can be miracles when you believe
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill
Who knows what miracle you can achieve, when you believe
Somehow you will, you will when you believe

In this time of fear when prayer so often proves in vain
Hope seems like the summer birds, too swiftly flown away
And now I am standing here, my heart's so full I can't explain
Seeking faith and speaking words, I never thought I'd say

There can be miracles when you believe
When you believe
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles you can achieve
You can achieve
When you believe
Somehow you will, you will when you believe

They don't always happen when you ask and
And it's easy to give in to your fear
But when you're blinded by your pain
Can't see your way safe through the rain
Thought of a still resilient voice, says love is very near

There can be miracles
Miracles
When you believe
When you believe
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill
Hard to kill
Who knows what miracles you can achieve
You can achieve
When you believe
Somehow you will
Somehow, somehow, somehow
Somehow you will, you will, when you believe

You will when you believe
You will when you believe
Just believe
You will, you will
Just believe
You will, when you believe

Songwriters
EDMONDS, KENNETH / SCHWARTZ, STEPHEN

This song was written for "The Prince of Egypt". The above-version is the one performed by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. Below, is the version from the movie, from YouTube.

What a message. There can be miracles. They happen daily. Some choose not to look at them as miracles, and that is fine, but great things happen but we need to believe and have hope that this mountain we are climbing will show us exactly what we are needing.

Right now, I am looking for a miracle. Even thinking about what I so badly desire and hope will happen, fills my heart with gratitude that there is a possibility, even though I lose hope easily on bad days, when things get rough or I cannot do everything I want or need to do and cannot do everything that everyone expects of me. However, we can achieve almost whatever we set our minds to, though it may not be achieved in the way we want.

One miracle that I have hoped for is for my stomach to be restored back to it's working condition. That has not happened. What has happened, which is a miracle, is that I have accepted it and learned to make the best of it. That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt or that this acceptance came in the time I wanted it or asked for it. The important thing is that it came!

This song has become my motivation while I am earnestly seeking for the next miracle to happen. Is it easy. Not really. But, having this song in my head has helped me to do my part so that the miracle can and will happen. Think of something that motivates you to be better and use that to give you more hope and strengthen the hope you have.

Just remember this part of the song: "But when you're blinded by your pain, Can't see your way safe through the rain. Thought of a still resilient voice, says love is very near. There can be miracles"