The Proof Is in The Music

A lot of the spiritual gurus that I follow talk about the goal of “getting in the right frequency with the universe”.

It sounds a little woo-woo doesn’t it? Sure does.

The idea behind the concept is that when you’re living your life in alignment with what’s true to you, meaning what’s true to your inner self, you become aligned with something bigger than yourself. In other words, you get on the same frequency as that thing you might call God/source/universe/light.

Still sound too freaky?

Think about it this way: Let’s say that deep in your soul you know that your job is draining the life out of you, that you married the wrong person or that you’re actually capable of making me-time for yourself, but you never do. If you know something to be true on the inside but you’re too scared to change it on the outside, it creates struggle. When you live a life that ignores your intuition, life becomes harder than it has to be.

When your insides don’t match your outsides, it creates friction in your life.

If this is what your life feels like right now, it’s likely because you’re living your life for other people, not for yourself. You’re staying in a shitty situation or not walking toward a better one because you’re scared you’ll let people down, you’re afraid of failing, or you’re worried that it can’t be done.

Well, guess what? It can be done. But it won’t get done until you believe that it can.

The opposite of this principle is also true.

When your insides are leading your life, it creates a sense of ease in your life.

This is where the frequency comes in. It’s as though you’re operating on a different wavelength. It feels a lot like you’re floating with the current down the river instead of trying with all of your might to swim upstream against it.

My life is far from perfect, just ask my husband, either one of my children or any of their teachers. However, my life is ten times easier now that I’m following my own path and not fighting to win the approval of other people or exceed their expectations.

I have found that the proof is in the music.

Now that my life is finally in alignment (meaning my insides match my outsides) when I find myself at the peak of an experience that represents me at my best, the perfect song to encapsulate my journey comes on the radio.

Randomly.

Here’s the latest example. 

I was recently in California for a conference, and I put my work aside, left the conference early and decided to hike to the top of a local mountain. It wasn’t an easy decision, it didn’t feel overly responsible, but I went anyway.

I went because my insides were calling for it. I had been traveling a lot, I was tired, and I was uniquely positioned to take advantage of the beautiful scenery on the West Coast that I rarely get to see.

So, I hiked and huffed and puffed my way to the top of the mountain. When I was almost to the top, this first song streamed through my Pandora station.

(Yes, I love country music).

A Little Bit Stronger, by Sarah Evans

The lyrics of this song are all about “even on my weakest days; I get a little bit stronger”.

It was the perfect sign that reminded me that even when I have bad/grumpy/fussy/angry moments, I’m still light-years stronger than I was when I lived my life for other people. It was a welcomed reminder as I was entering the final stretch of my hike.

I was grateful for the right song at the right moment. Next up?

Wide Open Spaces, by The Dixie Chicks

Picture me plopping my tired ass down on a rock at the top of a mountain in California, thanking my lucky stars for the courage to live a life that’s authentically mine and listening to these lyrics that randomly started playing through my earbuds.

Many precede and many will follow
A young girl’s dreams no longer hollow
It takes the shape of a place out west
But what it holds for her, she hasn’t yet guessed
She needs wide open spaces
Room to make her big mistakes
She needs new faces
She knows the high stakes
She traveled this road as a child
Wide eyed and grinning, she never tired
But now she won’t be coming back with the rest
If these are life’s lessons, she’ll take this test

I mean…come on! The song literally started playing the second I sat down. Next up?

At this point, I’m so taken aback at the frequency I’m on and how damn happy I am, that I decide to stand up and really take in the view around me. And at that exact moment, this next song started playing.

Stand, by Rascal Flatts

You feel like a candle in a hurricane.
Just like a picture with a broken frame
Alone and helpless
Like you’ve lost your fight
But you’ll be alright; you’ll be alright.
‘Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what you’re made of
You might bend, ‘til you break
‘Cause it’s all you can take
On your knees, you look up
Decide you’ve had enough
You get mad; you get strong
Wipe your hands, shake it off
Then you stand,
Then you stand

I believe with every bone in my body that when your insides are aligned with your outsides, the reward for your courage is the ability to live on a slightly different plane. Life doesn’t become easy, but it does become easier. And most importantly, the moments when you’re really following your truth, the universe serves up signs to show you that you’re making the right decisions.

Hear this. Know this. Believe this. You’re not alone in this fight.

 My entire self-help journey to happiness can be summarized by those three songs, in that order. I got stronger. I sought out wide open spaces. I stood up for myself.

And then I climbed to the top of a mountain and cried like a baby about it.

Now, I’m going to write a book about it so other women can do the same.