We all have rough days. Days when we are exhausted, exasperated, and/or extended beyond what we can handle. Days when we need an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on. So today the Tunes-day Trio shares some songs about supporting/strengthening/carrying on. The honorable mentions:
It was tough separating the Tunes-day Trio from the honorable mentions, but these three rose to the top:
"You'll Never Walk Alone" from Carousel, sung by Sissel
I'd never heard this song before, but it's beautiful, especially when sung by Sissel. I like that it isn't specific (in the song, at least) as to who is walking with the person, so it can be taken in different ways. Thanks for broadening my musical knowledge, Miss Megan.
"Carry On" by Fun. (acoustic version)
Some days, this is the song that gets me through. Kinda feels like a human version of Dory's "Just keep swimming" mantra from Finding Nemo.
"Stand By Me" by Ben E. King
This goes right along with Rachel's share by The Pretenders, so I think it rounds out this list nicely. When the chips are down, and maybe we are, too, sometimes we just need to know that someone will stand by us and care about us while we're struggling, helping us to rise back up.
Next Time Now that we've explored a little of the support and helping each other when times aren't at their best, maybe we ought to lighten the mood a bit. In fact, I know we should. We have a lot to be thankful for, as life is (generally) very good for us all. So how about we make the topic of the next Tunes-day Trio: gratitude/thanks/thankfulness.
Because we're all very blessed to have what we have. Please submit your song suggestions in the comments, and let's all join together in a big thanks-fest!
I've had a couple big relationship things weighing heavily on my mind lately.
Not high profile to most people, even in my inner circle, but the situations are hard on me nonetheless.
The two cases have to do with apologies and the giving and receiving of forgiveness.
Case #1- I've apologized and I'm waiting to see what she decides to do. I was in the wrong, so she'll be fully justified in deciding to accept my apology or not. I'll understand either choice.
Case #2- I've apologized and tried repeatedly to mend our friendship, and it looks more and more like the person will not reciprocate apologies and allow us to continue as friends. He's shown to be stubborn and vindictive and bully-ish, so I can't see reconciliation happening.
So when a friend posted the link to this ThoughtCatalog article, it was a godsend to me:
Its lessons - particularly #7 - support what I recently read in a book about apologies and forgiveness:
If your first attempt [at apologies/reconciliation] fails, I suggest you make a second and third attempt. An apology says, "I value this relationship, and I want to deal with this problem." The refusal to apologize says, "I do not value this relationship, and it's okay with me if we continue to be estranged." We cannot force an apology but we can extend the olive branch and express our willingness to forgive. If, in the final analysis, they are unwilling to restore the relationship, you may then release them to God and release your hurt and anger to Him. Don't allow their unwillingness to deal with the problem destroy your life. It takes two people to build a positive, healthy relationship.*
Once we've done our best to seek forgiveness, the ball is in the other person's hands.
In case #1, she can choose to accept my apology and forgive (maybe she already has), with or without the option of reconciliation. She would be justified either way. At this point, I can release my pain and hurt to God. Of course, my preference would be reconciliation between the two of us.
In case #2, I've done all I can do, and as I don't see any forgiveness occurring, I can release the relationship to God and move on. Sometimes friendships end. I suppose all relationships have a lifecycle, even ones that began half a lifetime ago in high school.
So now I can just allow things to happen as they may (for these cases) and accept what I can't change.
*Things I Wish I'd Known Before We Got Married, by Gary Chapman, pp 71-72. I highly recommend this whole book to anyone wanting healthier relationships, both before and after marriage. Lots of it can also be applied to improve friendships.
Some are current and some are future moms, but they're all women I'm proud to know and they're such great examples to me of how to love and care for those around them.
And because they've all showed me how to be joyful and have a sense of humor, here's a treat honoring mothers by Kid President:
Again, to all the current (and future) moms, I hope you have a very happy Mother's Day!
This morning, my buddy Clint shared a video called 'This is Water' with me.
It's based on an excerpt from David Foster Wallace's 2005 commencement address at Kenyon College, and its message was just what I needed to hear. My attitude needed an adjustment, and this hit the spot.
Yes, I realize it's 9 mins long, but watch it on your lunch break or something, because it's worth it.
Everyone's going through things, and we can't know their situations.
I'm going to work on choosing to see the water all around me.
Our company held its first (annual?) Lecorpio User Conference on Friday, and it was a dandy.
The Utah team got to fly out to the Bay Area for it, which was cool, other than having to wake up before 4 am to make our Thursday morning flight. After landing in Oakland, we drove down to the office for conference prep and also to get our company shirts.
I think he doubles as a shirt model in his spare time
Our hotel was in Burlingame, so we'd be close to the conference in the morning.
For convenience, we hit up a restaurant in that area for dinner. Mmm, I love a good steak.
Everybody was at the venue early on Friday to set up, and we started meeting the clients right off the bat.
I forget the official stats, but I think we had ~30 non-Lecorpio attendees from ~14 companies.
There were various speeches, presentations, and panels throughout the day, including giving the attendees a chance to air their thoughts and requests for updates to the software. Good stuff.
Thanks for a great time at the conference, Lecorpio friends and attendees! See you again in 2014!
Ok, ok, ok. It's been forever since the color-themed Rainbow Connection trio post.
My interest in blogging waned, but it's waxing now, so we'll take advantage of that while we can.
Turns out there are a whole lotta songs that fit a sweetness/sweets/candy theme.
Plenty of honorable mentions this week:
- "Candy" by Mandy Moore - thanks for the reminder of this gem, Erin Masi!
- "My Boy Lollipop" by Millie Small, graciously pulled from the archives (1964) by AmandaStretch
Props to Miss Megan for these next five. Clearly we were raised on oldies.
- "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond, because Boston deserves a little extra love right now
- "Sweet Darlin" by She & Him
- "Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows" by Lesley Gore, makes me think of my brother Dave every time
- "Sugartime" by the McGuire Sisters, talk about a trio of old-school wholesome hotties
- "Lollipop" by the Chordettes, for best vocal percussion punctuation to a chorus
And I'll throw some newer tunes in for good measure.
- "Pour Some Sugar on Me" by Def Leppard, *insert stripper-related joke here*
- "Sex and Candy" by Marcy Playground, total downer song, why did we all like it so much?
- "Tootsee Roll" by 69 Boyz
- "Milkshake" by Kelis, a family favorite when waiting in line pretty much anywhere
You have to admit, that's a stellar bunch of honorable mentions.
All leading up to these three delicious selections for the Tunes-day Trio: "Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies
I had no idea the song had been written for the cartoon, or at least released through that venue. Such a catchy song, and you can't help but smile and feel happy listening to this tune from simpler times.
Another great pick, Megan.
"Candy Man" by Christina Aguilera
So many elements I like about this song. Great old-style music, Christina's pipes, and the military video.
Good call, Amanda.
"Stuck Like Glue" by Sugarland
Just an all-around fun song, and it's peppy as any could be. Plus, Sugarland is excellent in concert, so I'm happy to give them a special shout-out. Oh, and as a bonus, it kind of goes along with next week's theme in a couple of its lyrics, too.
Next Time
For the next one, we're gonna do something a little more subdued.
Thinking of how hard it is to run the 26.2 miles of a marathon, and also thinking of the people who lost loved ones in the Boston Marathon explosions, I think it's appropriate to do a theme showing support and offering strength to keep going in hard times.
Which is why the theme is supporting those in need/shared strength/carrying on.
We can all lift each other up in our times of heartache and pain.
So if there's a song that's buoyed you up, please share the title and artist in the comments.
Maybe it'll be a much-needed boost to someone else who's having a rough day.
The bombings at the 117th Boston Marathon were cowardly and horrible.
I'm grateful that no one I know personally was injured in the attacks, but I feel sorrow for those affected and my thoughts and prayers continue to go out to them.
In contrast, my spirit is buoyed by the incredible response of both Bostoners and people around the country.
First, this happened, and we were all stunned and shocked and horrified.
Then this happened, and we were reminded of how strong the people of Boston and its marathon are.
And people all over the country joined together in support of Boston and the people affected.
Seeing this arena-wide singing of the National Anthem at the Boston Bruins game on Wed, 4/17/13, brings tears to my eyes. Beautiful song, and a beautiful response as a city.
This quote by Mr Rogers has come up multiple times in the past couple years, and I find additional comfort in his reminder of the helpers and how many more people want to do good in this world than seek to do evil and harm innocents.
God bless Boston and its people, and I hope those responsible are brought to justice soon.
But they also play some less-known talented artists, and I've loved finding new songs I like. For example:
Robert Cray
Spirit Family Reunion
Flaco Jimenez
Anais Mitchell
If you want to just listen to the entire series (that's what I've begun doing--it provides a whole work-week worth of enjoyment), you can click here for the full playlist.
