The Courage to Feel - Part III

"Til the sun comes up..." - Sara Bareilles

“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not its victim.” - Lauren Daigle

In “The Courage to Feel - Part II” we listened to the first six songs PHEMIE performed for us in her live concert on July 11th. To say those songs were sobering is an understatement. But PHEMIE wanted to make the point that music can take us to and help shine a light on even the darkest places in our lives.

Today we’ll hear the second set of six songs PHEMIE sang. She says she chose these to remind herself and us that it’s not only possible to heal but okay to ask for help as well. As you listen, see which words or phrases stand out for you. I’ll do the same and we can compare notes.

Bird Set Free by Sia
Lines: “I don't care if I sing off-key. I find myself in my melodies. I sing for love, I sing for me. I shout it out like a bird set free.”
Thoughts: Love that music is giving her a voice and a way to celebrate herself.

Control by Zoe Wees
Line: “Cause even though I'm older now and I know how to shake off the past
I wouldn't have made it if I didn't have you holding my hand.
Thoughts: It’s so important to acknowledge not only those who help us through hard times but HOW they helped as well. Just relying on others to save us isn’t the best way to learn from a situation. The gifts are found in retelling and reworking the story.

Don't Give Up by Peter Gabriel
Lines: Don't give up, you still have us. Don't give up. we don’t need much. Don’t give up, ‘cause somewhere there’s a place where we belong.”
Thoughts: A reminder that although everything seems burnt to the ground, you still have people who care - people who will help you find a new place to belong.

Let it All Go by Birdy and Rhodes
Line: “Who says truth is beauty after all, and who says love should break us when we fall?”
Thoughts: Interesting. I would agree that truth is often ugly and painful. But I never thought much about the assumption that loss of love can break us. Why? Why can’t losing love be just as powerful as finding it?

The Joke by Brandi Carlile
Lines: “Let 'em laugh while they can. Let 'em spin, let 'em scatter in the wind.
I have been to the movies, I've seen how it ends, and the joke's on them.”
Thoughts: I love that the songwriter acknowledges the reality but predicts that the bullies and naysayers won’t keep the good people from shining.

Trying my Best by Anson Seabra
Line: “I wish you could see all the pain that I’ve seen, and all of the time I spent being not me.”
Thoughts: A touching reminder that everyone is carrying some kind of pain. Be gentle.

Rescue by Lauren Daigle
Lines: “You are not hidden. There's never been a moment you were forgotten. There is no distance that cannot be covered. You're not defenseless. I'll be your shelter. I'll be your armor. ”
Thoughts: I love that the singer is paying attention, has heard the S.O.S., and is determined to offer shelter and armor. Let’s be those things for one another.

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So…tell me what you think of this format. Is it fun to hear a set of songs related to the theme? Do you have themes or artists you’d like to propose?

Finally, what do you think of a music-related mystery with clues embedded in songs, physical spaces, and your own experiences?

Let the discussion begin!
Jena

Link
You can purchase PHEMIE’s songs on Bandcamp. Here’s the link: