Synthesis Sunday: Treading On the Edge of Social Media Yet Again...

I made a bit of progress on my reading quest this week - I got a book to read.

I know, I know. Getting a book is not the same as actually reading that book, but I did put it in my work backpack and carry it to and from work over and over again, so there is progress. If you are interested, it is Jennifer Buchanan's latest book, Wellness Wellplayed: The Power of a Playlist, that I ordered from Amazon. I am one of the people who voted on the cover art (this cover is the one that I liked), and I have been making my own playlist for this year. I have two songs on it at the moment, but I think I will select another one before this post is finished.

I like the idea of making a playlist for myself to chronicle what I am feeling and events. I haven't read any of the book yet, but the title has intrigued me. I am hoping that the rest of the book will get me excited about this concept.

My playlist has two songs on it right now - one that is unfamiliar that I added because of the title and the other that I have loved for a very long time that now has deeper meaning because of my father's death last year. This week has been a good week - for the most part - except for my social media swamp suckage earlier this week - so I want to find a song about closing off the negative influences in my life to focus on the good things around me.

When I am going on a song search, Google is my first stop - of course!! Here's a post that I found that has the title, "10 Positive Songs to Overcome Your Negative Thoughts." Unfortunately, the post itself has more pictures of the blogger than thoughts about music, so that's a NO GO for me! I am not interested in learning about where the blogger got her clothing and how much it would cost me than actual content.

(Just in case you are wondering, I am currently wearing navy blue shorts from Walmart - cost $7.00 full price, but I NEVER buy something full price, and a novelty t-shirt from the now defunct GeekMonkey - it no longer operates in the US. Just in case you were wondering...no pictures...)

Other lists include links to sketchy sites, so I guess I will get off from Google and head over to Spotify.

I have not found one song, but THREE songs to add to my playlist. They are all unfamiliar to me right now, but they will become a bit more familiar as I review my playlist: Fussing and Fighting by Bob Marley & the Wailers; Tranquility by 311; and One Day by Matisyahu.

I tend to resonate more with lyrics than with genre when it comes to selecting my preferred songs, but I do need good music to go along with the lyrics. If the elements do not support the lyrics, then I discount the entire song and do not keep it as my own. I do not often like everything that any one person sings - I like specific songs rather than specific performers - and the quickest way to induce frustration in me is to ask me to name my favorite song or favorite performer. I don't think I have one. Honestly. I have favorites in the moment, but they change all the time. I resonate (hee, hee) with different songs at different times. I do not have ONE favorite song - I have many.

The other quests have been happening slowly. I have ordered some slippers with soles because I am still having tendon issues but they seem to get better when I am barefoot than when I am wearing my work shoes. I am hoping that changing these shoes with some sturdy slippers will help with this pain. I am considering that a quest step! I am working on my health by trying something to see if these shoes will help with my pain level. I bought a book for my reading quest, and I am reading another one, just for fun! Progress. I made some decisions about where to put my attention in the music therapy world this next year. Progress. There is still room for more, but I am moving forward.

The one place that I am not doing as well as I want to do is the whole social media place. I keep getting linked into the types of comments and posts that forced me out of Music Therapists Unite! I know what I have to do - stop going through the rabbit holes that are out there simply to sow discomfort and to give people a chance to scream at each other about opinions that each is allowed to have but that are not based in facts.

So, my next quest is to make choices about where my energy is directed this next week. I will attempt to avoid Twitter rabbit holes. I will realize that this is not the best way to spend the amount of energy that I have available to me.

Happy Sunday. 

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