Rise Again Stronger

Since my stroke and almost immediately, music has taken on new meaning in my recovery and daily outlook/ routine

It starts with the tapping of both hands on a table then both feet on the floor then rising and swaying to the sound and rhythms. For me, energizing, motivating, improving physical movement and thinking. There is also plenty of music therapy research for the neuroplasticity benefits, and enhancing motor skills. Discuss with your therapist.

On a grander scale, music is about freedom, color , joy, energy, creation, expression, artistry, light,experience, healing, optimism, love, storytelling, celebration, history, people, connective humanity vibes and taken together, takes me to a place of healing and a power source to rise again stronger, I think at one point, we’ve all felt it, this transcendent ethereal place, empowering and lifting us,, our spirits to create , smile , and explore. You just feel it..

It’s in this place, where a big part of my recovery comes from in reducing stress and anxiety and enhancing overall emotional well-being

Sharing my short play list. I realize music is all about personal preference. Please share yours.

Billie Joel -LullaBye, Goodnight, My Angel . One of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard, lyrics “And deep inside this ancient heart. You’ll always be a part of me”

James Taylor – Something in the way she moves “If I’m feeling down and blue
Or troubled by some foolish game
She always seems to make me change my mind”. And “Sweet Baby James”.

U2 -Ordinary Love – “The sea throws rock together but time leaves us polished stones”

Bruno Mars – upbeat , all things Bruno. Mark Ronson, Uptown Funk, let’s go

Ben Harper -the ethereal “Waiting on an Angel –So speak kind to a stranger,,cause you’ll never know It just might be an angel come oh, knockin’ at your door”

Linda Ronstadt– classic and timeless Long..Long time

John Prine , the storytelling “ of “Angel from Montgomery “Make me an angel, that flies from Montgomery, make me a poster
Of an old rodeo”

Eddie Vedder from the soundtrack Into the Wild. The song “Guaranteed” Following my stroke, my favorite song listened to daily , still do, I have a deep visceral connection. The song is about freedom….. “On bended knee is no way to be free, lifting up an empty cup I ask silently that all my destinations will accept the one that’s me, So I can breath”

Andrea Day – I’ll Rise up

I’ll rise up
Rise like the day
I’ll rise up
In spite of the ache
I will rise a thousand times again

Mozart -for them classical fans. By the time Mozart was 12 years old he had already written 10 symphonies and performed for royalty – a few, The Marriage of Figaro and Symphony No. 41, Jupiter, Mov 4, and Requiem

“With this he will rise from the embers”

What are your favorites?

Rise Again Stronger, stay tuned for the next post