Your Life Playlist

Full disclosure—I’ve never created a playlist. As a songwriter starting in my teens, music is about getting the sound I hear inside me out into the world. I hadn’t seen any reason to curate songs. That is, until my friend Lisa forwarded me an article on how playlists can be used purposefully. 

I began to muse on songs I love and their impact on me. Here is one of my favorites by India Arie. Her soulful voice, heartfelt lyrics, and simple, elegant guitar playing top my list of tunes that remind me who I am and why I’m here:

My whole-being response to this song wakes me up to the value of playlists. They are the outside we choose to influence the inside. And the greatest joy of creating any playlist is that it puts us in charge of our state of consciousness.  

We cultivate based on free choice—to change a mood, release emotional buildup, rest the body and mind, gear up for a workout, study a new concept, forgive ourselves, heal our heart, connect with the divine [here’s a great one for that].

We consciously guide our song selection by this alignment to create an internal state. Or we compile an expression to share. I’ve heard about playlists for novels, poetry collections, plays, brands, and even a memorial party!

Music is a powerful conduit for consciousness. And for those of us who hear music on the inside, it may be our most sacred soundtrack.

We can gather the sounds that send us towards our dreams. Then, watch how our outer world responds to reflect our musical choices. It surely will.

That is living as music.

PHOTO: THEO WARGO/GETTY IMAGES