Tunesday Tuesday: My Love for Music, My Anthem, and Current Mood

Normally I shy away from themed blog hops because I can never get a post done on time. If you are a regular reader around here, you may have noticed that I have a problem with being simple and concise. In real life, I have no patience and like to make things as short and sweet as possible. "Get in, and get out" is my motto these days. But when it comes to my writing, I am extremely detailed and thorough. I don't know if I could ever bring myself to do a Wordless Wednesday post :) I blame two things: my excessive need for perfection and my lovely OCD. In college, all I did was write papers and I got really good at creating lots of 'filler' to get to the required page/word count. So now I am hardwired to drag on and on in painstaking detail about every little point I am trying to make. This totally off-topic paragraph is a perfect example of me forcing you to be apart of my post-college writing syndrome. 

What I am trying to say is that I am doing something out of character for me and am joining a themed blog hop. I am making this exception because I feel like it is something that I need to re-connect with in my life. Sometimes life gets in the way of life and we are so frazzled by all that is going on that we don't make time for the things that make us happy. Sometimes you just have to get in touch with the core of who you are and I don't know anything that helps me do that better than music! I have had a passion for music since day one. It moves me like nothing else, takes me down memory lane, allows me to feel deeply, can instantly lift my mood, and brings joy to our household. I'll be honest, I am not the best singer (although it is one of my biggest aspirations), but I can jam out like nobody's business. 

However, there are days and even weeks that I let pass by without any musical engagement. Then one day I decide to put on my jams and my mood will suddenly change and all is right in the world in that moment. This makes me realize that I should never go a day without music, even if it is just singing a silly nursery rhyme with my son. So what ALL this writing is leading up to is that I am going to be participating in the Tunesday Tuesday blog hop with The Patchwork Paisley, Drinking the Whole Bottle, Momma Candy and MrsTeeLoveLifeLaughter as regularly as possible. I need to always keep that music in me :)

I missed last week so I am going to double up and do both in one post.

Last week's Theme: "Your Anthem"

I didn't write a post last week because I had no idea what to choose for my anthem. I was going to skip it altogether, but then I realized that I was missing the whole point of this link up if I only posted on the easy themes. So I started thinking about some of my favorite songs and why I like them so much. I have a handful of songs that mean a lot to me, but they aren't really relatable to my life per say. Not only do I like songs for their message, but I am really drawn to unique beats and vocals. I don't know why but I usually tend to gravitate towards songs about things that I haven't necessarily experienced myself. A couple examples are:
Tupac's "Keep Ya Head Up" 
Dave Barnes "God Gave Me You" 
Drake "Headlines"
 I can't use a favorite song for my anthem, if it doesn't actually pertain to my life. And then one night when I was in bed trying to fall asleep, it hit me: my anthem! Duh... It fits me so perfectly in every way. It is a song most people have probably never heard and I would have never known it either if it weren't for my mom making me watch the movie it is from. My mom has influenced my musical tastes from a very young age. Salt 'N Pepper and Prince are the two main artists I grew to love because of her. Anyway, here it is, my anthem:

 "Queen Bee" by Barbra Streisand from A Star is Born

There isn't an actual video for it, so this was the best I could find. This is one of those songs that is so well written that every line is perfect, but if I had to pick a favorite part, it would be from the last verse: 

So, in conclusion, it's an optical illusion, if you think that we're the
weaker race.
Men got the muscle, but the ladies got the hustle, and the truth is starin'
in your face.
The mother bear stalks, and the queen of the hawks,
Is the one who brings home the bread.
The lion that is regal, and the bald-headed eagle,
need a woman just to keep them fed.

I guess you would consider this a feminist song, but I wouldn't say that I am a feminist. I just love it so much because it speaks to the power of women and how really we are the ones that keep it all together! I don't diminish the role of the man as head of the household, but as women, our roles are equally as important. This isn't how I live my life, as far as the "use 'em and lose 'em" mentality nor do I condone that behavior. It is my anthem because of its sassy, clever lyrics and funky beat!

This week's Theme: "A Song That Suits Your Current Mood"

Well, this one was also tough. I go through different moods daily, even hourly sometimes ;) But, last Saturday night as I laying in bed, I started watching videos of Myles. (I almost don't even want to write this right now because I am getting emotional). As I was watching this video I had just put up on my Instagram, I started thinking about the dreaded reality of time: it never stops. He is just going to keep growing and learning and while I love watching all of this take place daily, it honestly breaks my heart that he won't be this little and naive forever. I just love watching him run around pointing at random things, all while sneaking in a couple of 'real' words through his non-stop baby babbling. I try to cherish every moment because I know it won't be long before he will be speaking in full sentences and learning how the world really works :( I know that stage will bring just as much joy and love, but I adore his littleness so much it kills me! So for a song that suits my current mood, I picked one that speaks so well to the blessing of children. It also happens to be by one of my favorite artists of all time:

Lauryn Hill's "To Zion" 

 And I thank you for choosing me
To come through unto life to be
A beautiful reflection of His grace
For I know that a gift so great
Is only one God could create
And I'm reminded every time I see your face

 Again there is no official video for this song, but I did find a live version on YouTube. It isn't the best quality, but I love Lauryn's voice live. This song has meant so much to me for so long. Even before I had Myles, I just felt such a strong connection to this song. I know part of it is simply because Lauryn is singing it. She has such emotion and conviction when she sings, it's hard not to feel it all the way down in your soul. I get all emotional EVERY time I hear this song. This song speaks to the pure miracle of pregnancy and child birth. Every child that has been placed into the womb of a woman was made specifically for her. And even though it may all feel like too much sometimes, God picked us to be the mother of our beautiful children, whom are created by His love. We all have tough days, but this song always reminds me how precious is the gift of a child! 



So what are your song choices for these themes? Comment below or create a post and link-up! I would love to know more about you all!