How To: Feel Better With Music

You know how some songs can magically make you feel instantly happy and optimistic about the world? Well, that's what I love about music.

Yesterday I saw this quote on tumblr (yes, so original) and it got me thinking about the power of music. For example, if I'm in a crummy mood and then listen to a super sad song, like "Breathe Me" by Sia, then I will 100 percent become even more sad and most likely cry for ten minutes. (Note: sometimes I find releasing my emotions this way to be beneficial) On the other hand, listening to happier music never ceases to put me in a good mood. So yes, music really is a powerful thing and personally, I think we should take advantage of its magic.

Top "Feel-Good" Songs You Should Listen To When You Are In A Bad Mood, Feel Like There Is No Hope For the Future or Just Need A Little Pick-Me-Up:

Wavin' Flag- K'NAAN

Back Home-Andy Grammer

Dog Days Are Over- Florence + the Machine

I Make My Own Sunshine-Alyssa Bonagura

Smile-Uncle Kracker

This Will Be- Natalie Cole

Ain't No Mountain High Enough-Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

That's all for now.

-M

The Rain

PLEASE GO TO THIS WEBSITE (http://www.rainymood.com) BEFORE READING. :)

In honor of the rainy weather today, here are my thoughts on the rain...

There's something about the rain that's so peaceful. Is it just me, or does anyone else smile whenever they wake up in the morning and hear the sounds of rain thumping against the roof?

To me, the rain brings adventure. It brings mystery. It brings happiness. 

The rain gives me strength and comfort. 

It clears the sky and the air. 

Everything is fresh and clean and green.

Rain gives us puddles and thick, squeaky, yellow boots.

It makes us explore.

Or find warmth under layers upon layers of blankets.

So take a moment to...

because...

That's all for now.

-M

How To: Finding Your Passion

Passion. This is something that drives us. That helps us wake up in the morning. That gives us a sense of meaning. That makes us happy. We all are passionate about something. Although some may have a more difficult time finding what they are passionate about, we still all have passions. For me, I always felt like this was a very scary task (to find my "passion"). Personally, I have gone through a seemingly endless amount of activities, sports and hobbies trying to find something that I could call my passion. I tried soccer (it was fun, but I was too scared of the ball), tennis (trying to serve the ball made me so frustrated), track and field (a love/hate relationship, but not my passion), guitar (making my hands do two different things at the same time was impossible)...well, you get the picture. Reflecting on my crazy adventures while trying to find my passion made me realize that a person's passion does not have to be so concrete. It can be anything really. For such a long time I was so mad at myself for not being especially good at one thing and for not having an answer to the question: what are you passionate about? How could I have an answer when it seemed as if I couldn't do or didn't especially love something? The following quote finally answered my prayers.

This quote perfectly sums up how I feel about this concept. No, I don't think I have any special talent. I'm not a star athlete or a genius student or a brilliant artist. But that doesn't mean that I don't have passions. I know that I am passionate about trying new things. I'm passionate about experiencing new places. I'm passionate about my family and friends. And, in the words of Einstein, I am "passionately curious." I don't think a person has to limit themselves to one thing or confine themselves in a box. People can be passionate about anything and everything. No matter what it is, as long as they are passionate people and put their energy, drive and emotions into everything they do, their lives have a purpose and a positive impact on the world.

That's all for now.

-M

ps. Sorry if this post is confusing (was written at a point of extreme exhaustion) ;)