This post is the third in my ten-week ‘Summer Music Series':a collection of articles inspired by some of the songs and music lyrics that inspire me and make me think… Sign up here to make sure you don’t miss any instalments: not only is the series free, but when you sign up you'll also get a complimentary copy of my Dreamsmith Guide to Creating a Life You Love.
Thanks in part to some friends' recent birthday festivities, I was reminded once again of how important it is to actually make an occasion of celebrating all those noteworthy events that occur in our lives: the beginning of of new chapters like births, marriages, new jobs or new homes; or other milestone celebrations, like birthdays and anniversaries. These kinds of occasions are a great chance to look back and reflect on memories you've made thus far, and to look forward in anticipation of the future good memories you've yet to create.
Even when we don't have 'big' events going on like the ones listed above, it's fun to make a point of celebrating even life's 'little' accomplishments: the report that we finished ahead of schedule; the debt that we've finally paid off; the new recipe that turned out just right. These good times give us pause for reflection about what kinds of things bring us joy, and insight into what kinds of things fill up our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual 'bank accounts'.
In contrast, there are also darker times in life that give us pause for reflection too. I categorize the big 'dark times' as 'The 4 D's': Death, Divorce, Diagnosis & Dismissal (not necessarily listed in order of gravity). When one of these difficult times comes knocking on our door, the loss can sometimes feel so powerful that it sends us into something of a 'dark night of the soul', where it can be difficult to understand why something so awful has happened, and we wonder how we might ever begin to recover.
But eventually, once our wounds have begun to heal, if we take the time to pause for reflection on these situations we can explore just how they've affected us, and what we might have learned from the experience.
Although not specifically (or perhaps, explicitly) related to going through any kind of 'dark night of the soul', the lyrics to Nahko's Black As Night* speak to many of these facets of life and of self-discovery, and offer some insight and hope about what's on the other side, once we pull through those dark times. (warning: there are a couple of spots where a bit 'o colourful language is sprinkled into this tune, so be warned if you choose to listen with, say, bosses or children within earshot!)
Some of my favourite lines (not listed in the order in which they're sung):
On how to think about and thus integrate the experiences of our lives:
"...more pages more words to my story, more grace, more meaning unfoldin'..."
On knowing there's an inherent goodness inside each of us:
"...I'm black as the night...with a little bit of moonlight shining from my center within..."
On trusting that all will be well:
"I believe in the good things comin'..."; and "...into white light all things runnin'..."
And finally, on the lessons we learn through our life experiences:
"I am no master I know nothing; but I am a servant and I know something..."
We may not become a 'master' and get it all figured out, this thing called 'life'; but little by little, we can strive to figure some things out...and learn to trust "in the good things comin'..."
What are some of the lessons you've learned as a result of going through dark times? I'd love if you'd share them in the comments below.
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Next week, I'm highlighting a great Johnny Reid song that was once given to me as a gift; sign up here to have the next Summer Music Series instalment delivered straight to your inbox.
*PS - the link above is to the original YouTube video that I saw via a tweet from one of my favourite wisdom teachers, Martha Beck. Nahko & Medicine For The People now have a CD out that includes this track, so if you're interested you can get it here.