Music with Gratitude in the Small Things
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we often hear about giving thanks or thinking about what we are grateful for. This can be quite daunting to think about or down-right overwhelming. I have several loved ones in my family that cringe at the thought of going around the table for holiday dinners and listing the things they are grateful for. It can be stressful to be put on the spot like that. In such a situation, there is a lot of pressure to say something grandiose and meaningful. But I don’t think being grateful always needs to be extravagant. I would like to offer some ideas for how to be grateful for the little things to take some of the pressure off. I have chosen some songs that helped me think of what I am grateful for, but I encourage you to think of ones that really speak to you.
Painting with Words
The first song that came to mind is “I’ll Be” by Edwin McCain. The song is very descriptive. The opening line says, “The strands in your eyes, that color them wonderful.” Mr. Mcain didn’t just say, “I like the color of your eyes,” he really broke it down to why he liked the color of his loved one’s eyes. All those strands brought together are what make them beautiful to him. I think being specific is crucial when thinking of gratitude. It challenges us all to really look at what we are grateful for, not just saying “oh I like that you do things for me.” It encourages you to think of a certain moment, perhaps a kind gesture someone did that really helped you. It might have seemed insignificant in the moment, but it actually meant a lot in the long run. It doesn’t need to be a big grand gesture, sometimes the smallest of things can really mean the most.
Click here to listen to this song on YouTube!
Grounding in Your Environment
There is another line in the song, “rain falls, angry on the tin roof.” That was always my favorite line because it is so simple yet so descriptive. If it sounds angry it isn’t a light pitter-patter, it is loud and definitely those big thick rain drops and not just a drizzle. And describing it hitting a tin roof is a very specific sound that you can immediately think of. Listening to sounds in your environment can instantly get yourself out of your own head and put you back in the present. Maybe you stop and you can hear a bird singing outside, so you take a minute to think about how nice it is to work near an open window. Or maybe you hear someone’s laughter outside and you take a moment to appreciate how joyful it sounds.
Hard-Wired for Productivity
I have to sometimes remind myself that just sitting and listening to sounds in the environment is not “doing nothing”, and no one is built to be constantly “productive.” It is important to pause, take in sounds, and think about the goodness in it. Our brains constantly seek out what is wrong as a protective mechanism. This is a function that has been passed down from our ancestors to keep us safe. It is not a bad thing, however, our over-active brains can certainly make it hard to see the good sometimes. Starting small, especially in the hardest of times, is a great place to start and may even end up being the most helpful.
The “Little” Things
Another song that came to mind while writing this post was “Have it All” by Jason Miraz. I found the simplicity of the lyrics quite beautiful, how he is wishing for all these little things to add up and make your life better. For example, he says “may you be as fascinating as a slap bracelet, may you keep the chaos and clutter off your desk.” This truly resonated with me personally. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be as fascinating as a slap bracelet? Those things are fantastic! I can really relate to just wanting a clean desk and having your papers in order as well, like having one of those days where you feel like everything is going right. We all have them, but often we brush over it too quickly to get to the next thing. This song makes you stop and think about all those little things. So maybe the next time something small makes you happy, like being on time when you thought you would be late or not having to wait in line for your coffee, you can take a breath and be grateful.
Click here to listen to this song on YouTube!
Looking Forward
I also found it clever how Jason Mraz sings about things to look forward to in the future, he sings “here’s to the good times we’re going to have.” I think often, again with that pesky brain of ours trying to keep us safe, we worry about the things that might stress out in the future and not the things we look forward to. You can not only be grateful for what you have already, but you can take a moment and be thankful for all the good times you will have as well. That might be especially helpful on days where you feel a little less cool than a snap bracelet and have mountains of chaos on your desk.
Better Together
The final song I thought of when pondering gratitude is “Better Together” by Jack Johnson. It is important to remember that no matter how hard life gets, we always have those special people in our lives that just make everything better. You have to go to the grocery store which is such a grueling mundane task, but you end up going with a friend that has you laughing the whole time you are picking out vegetables. Or those people in your life who remind you when you are stressed out that you are strong. They remind you how you have landed on your feet before, and that you will absolutely do it again this time.
Click here to listen to this song on YouTube!
A Takeaway
Spending time with loved ones is so important in these crazy times. We get so busy and we work so hard because life is so expensive. But I think slowing down and just spending time with your people is key, and something to be truly grateful for. Even if you are just venting to a friend, a loved one, a family member, and sharing what is weighing you down so you don’t have to carry it all yourself. After all, things may not be completely perfect, but they sure are better together.
Author: Jenni Chute, MA, MT-BC
Editor: Sonya Imperio, MT-BC
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