Sometimes, the only thing that can heal, inspire, or encourage me as I live my spiritual life is music—magical, mystical, miraculous music. The three songs I’m sharing this week remind me, respectively, that I’m doing the best I can, that I’m in charge of my life, and that I am, indeed, a spiritual badass.
When I Need to Give Myself a Break:
“Better Boat,” by Kenny Chesney, featuring Mindy Smith; 3:47
In an interview, Kenny Chesney said “Better Boat” is a song about self-evaluation that deals with the “inner struggle with ourself that we all have and trying to find a certain peace within ourselves about ourselves.”
I listen to this song when I need to remind myself that I’m doing the best that I can and that’s all I can do. It helps me feel grateful for the friends in my life who have helped me build a better boat/life over the years, and it reminds me that even if there are waves in this life I can’t control, I can still ride them to the best of my ability, and that’s the best I can do.
Kenny also points out that while his voice laments the imperfections he’s still working on, the quality of Mindy Smith’s voice is a kind of balm to a person’s soul that does bring an energy of peace, healing, and the feeling that yes, all is well.
If you need a gentle reminder that life is all about accepting who we are even as we work to become better, this song may be for you.
When I Need a Reminder to Live My Best Life:
“Masterpiece,” by Andy Grammar, 3:34
While “Better Boat” is about managing waves I can’t control, “Masterpiece” by Andy Grammar reminds me that to create the life I want, I sometimes need to make waves.
This song reminds me that I only get one life to live and that it’s up to me to make it a masterpiece. With the upbeat tempo and positive “you can do it” lyrics, “Masterpiece” invites me to think of my life as a work of art and reminds me that I’m the artist/creator who chooses the colors, dreams the vision, and decides what my life, my masterpiece, looks like.
This is the song I turn up when I’m feeling down, hopeless, and stuck in a rut. If you need a bit of encouragement to keep going until your life—your masterpiece—is what you want it to be, this song may be for you.
When I Need to Remember I Am a Spiritual Badass:
“What’s Up Danger,” by Blackway & Black Caviar, 3:35
When the gentle encouragement of Kenny and the positive inspiration from Andy aren’t enough to help me move forward, I turn to the driving beat of “What’s Up Danger,” a song from the movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
This song sparks the unbeatable, unstoppable, Divine power within me (and all of us), and before I know it, I’m ready to do scary things like leap off tall buildings and swim with hungry sharks.
Okay, true, in my world, the scary, dangerous feats I am called to attempt look like being vulnerable with someone or speaking my truth, but that doesn’t make them any less frightening!
That’s exactly when I need the inspiration I get from this song to look at what’s scaring me and casually say, “What’s up, danger?” Like, it’s no big deal that I’m going to actually DO what Kenny and Andy suggest—grow as a person and create the life I’ve always wanted to live.
When faced with the hurt of naysayers, fear of the unknown, or the pain of letting go of the old to make room for the new, I can just shrug it all away and say, “What’s up, danger? That all you got? Ain’t gonna stop me.”
As the great Billy Joel said, "Music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity.” Hopefully these songs will provide a bit of healing for you, whether it’s in the form of encouragement, inspiration, or badass-ness, as they have for me.
I’d love to hear what songs you turn to when you need a musical remedy. So, share your favorites in the comments or let me know what you think of the songs I’ve shared here!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jKH6kILbho One Voice by the Wailin Jennys.