Im Stress? Ja, Natürlich!

Well, the end of the semester has arrived. Oh what joy!

I have been staying up a lot later than usual and freaking out more, but finally, I have finished a majority of my work. For those of you who read this and don't go to Truman (who am I kidding? That's just my mom), after Easter, we have 4 days of classes and then finals week is here. Generally, I am the queen of procrastination. I work but nothing seems to get done. This semester, that is not the case! I have a much heavier load than usual but that seems to have inspired me to action!

My general look at finals week time:

My look this year:

So, with my smiling face and reduced stress thanks to the long hours I have put in the last few days, there must be some music that I have been jamming to, right? RIGHT!

So, in the wake of my stressful working brain overload days, I have some relaxing tunes that you might like to get down with if you have a stressful life right now too.

1. "Be Gentle With Me"- The Boy Least Likely To
            This song has gotten me through some tough times over the past three years. I used to take breaks  from the really crappy days and dance to this in my dorm room. Hell, a couple weeks ago, I danced to it in my house. If you take this musical recommendation (which you should), make sure you stand up and MOVE while you listen. It will make you feel better. I promise.
2. "We Be Steady Mobbin"- Lil Wayne feat. Gucci Mane
            This jam is not for the faint of heart. If you can't handle profanity, don't listen to this. If you, like me, have no problem with people who curse like sailors and say crazy stuff, this is for you. Make sure you listen, because although it's classic violence and womanizing, it really is pretty clever.
3. "Tightrope"-Janelle Monae feat. Big Boi
            This song is so catchy and upbeat. It's another song that's perfect for dancing. With a 60's soul feel and a modern, upbeat twist, you can't go wrong. "Tightrope" is AWESOME.

Well, I don't really have much else to say today, except that you should keep your chin up, take a five minute break, and listen to a song. You'll be glad you did.

Spaziergang Symphonie

Over the weekend, I went on an early morning walk/coffee run with one of my best friends. Usually, on the weekends, I just sleep in, but this weekend, after a few minutes of drowsing, I woke up and got moving.

We went to "Sweet Expressions" on the square and drank some delicious chai and coffee, as well as a breakfast of blueberry muffins and had some awesome conversation. After that, we went to "Hidden Treasures," an antique and consignment store across the street from "Sweet Expressions." We wandered around the store for an hour or so, and after that headed home.

After leaving Emily at her porch, I started my short walk home. The sun was shining and, in a very out of character moment, I decided to leave my iPod in my pocket, rather than in my ears. I was really glad that I did so. That morning, the world provided me with a myriad of sounds. The sun shone brightly on my path, creating a background of light and warmth. The pleasant sound of birds chirping created an ambient melody in my otherwise quiet morning. As I walked, I thought about how lucky I was to live in such a beautiful world and as my thoughts turned to this "glass half full" pattern, I started to notice more sounds. The morning became a symphony of sound, filed with flies buzzing, birds singing, leaves rustling and the wind blowing. It was such a beautiful, calming walk home, and when I arrived at my destination, I felt that my spirit had somehow been lifted by the walk.

As you know, this blog is mainly linked to music, but sometimes we use music and our iPods as an escapist tactic; I know I sometimes do. So, in today's recommendation section, I leave you this:

-the world- unplug your headphone jack and plug in to the sounds around you, if only for ten minutes. You won't be sorry you did.

Etwas ein bisschen anderes

I have been thinking a lot recently about a lot of silly things. I have felt tired, frustrated, and very much alone. Yesterday, I called my mom and told her that sometimes I feel like no one asks me questions about myself or really wants to know anything that matters to me. She, being the wise woman she is, told me that sometimes you need to share without being asked. After I hung up with my mom, I went out with my friends and danced the night away. Not so alone, am I?

This morning, I started thinking more about our conversation and the way I really feel. Here is what I have discerned:

A lot of the time, loneliness is self inflicted. If you are unhappy about being alone and you feel sad for yourself, chances are, that is no one else's doing. I realize that sometimes I get so far inside myself that I am only isolated because I have somehow chosen it.

That being said, there are a few things that we could all learn from my "revelation" of sorts:

1. People matter. The thoughts and feelings of those around you are valid. Even if you may not agree, or you cannot see where they are coming from, people should always feel like their emotions are significant.
2. Listening is a gift. One of the most beautiful gifts you can give to another person is a listening ear. While this may seem like a cliche or an overly emotional look at life, it is important to remember that we are not solitary beings. Humans are made to be in communion with one another, and one great way to do that is through communication.
3. Self-pity is fast growing. Once you start to think, "poor me, no one cares what I think" you have embarked on a slippery slope. It's true that sometimes other people don't care what you think, but that doesn't make you less relevant, nor does it give you license to act as though you are the long-suffering listener.

I know that this is a little different from my other postings, but I figure that this is a platform to write what I think and feel. Today, I feel this.

Lastly, the sun is shining today and I, being an optimistic person, have something to share, a version of which I am certain  you have all heard me say:
The world is full of enough darkness. Bad attitudes, sadness, and complaints are all part of this overarching shadow. The most magnificent thing, however, is that we, as humans, have the power to dispel this darkness. The light that shines within our hearts can be shone through us, like light bulbs that are switched on by compassion. So, as silly or romanticized as it seems, maybe it's time we all shed a little more light and helped to clear some of those shadows.

Last night, my friend Sam gave a message at our weekly worship service talking about bearing good fruit. Now, whatever your faith structure may be is not the point. We can all grow tall and bear good fruit to improve the world in which we live if we try.

So, since I don't want to freak you out by having a non-musical post, I leave you with a recommendation for today:

-"Three Little Birds"-Bob Marley

Because every little thing really will be alright.