The Emotional Immersion Experience of
COURAGE to BE
Songwriting saved my life.
At the times in my life when I have felt the most pain, music and songwriting have been both a refuge and a healing balm. Music is emotional in the best way. Each song is a time capsule of emotion and it has the power to help us access emotions that have been stuck or need releasing.
I am a very emotional person (a 4 on the Enneagram!) and anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE to go deep and have the kinds of conversations that are soul baring ... I mean, what's the point of small talk anyways?! Lol.
I love having parties where we play Esther Perel's game, 'Where Do We Begin?' and give story prompts and ask questions that inspire people to share authentic truths about themselves and connect with others in deep and meaningful ways. My uncle is always asking when I'm just going to be a therapist already, and I understand why he would ask that... because I AM passionate about feelings and hearing how other people feel... but music is my own kind of therapy and healing.
And that is why I wanted to have a special "experience" here for people to connect to my songs in an emotional way. My songs are all very emotional already, so maybe you feel that when you listen, but in the next pages here, I want to be intentional about asking you some questions that will perhaps spark some connections deep within your OWN heart - TO your own heart! Or perhaps will give you some topics to talk with your friends or family about.
You can listen to the songs here below and then I will ask some questions that emotional connections to each one and will ask you to reflect on your own inner world and emotional health.
You can click on the songs just beneath and it will open a separate tab to listen on Soundcloud. OR you can scroll down and click on each TITLE individually to listen. Once Soundcloud has been opened, you can return to the Emotional Immersion Experience to reflect on the questions and lyrics as you listen.
SCROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO RETURN HOME.
Reflections on Tenderness and Bravery with the song,
The Bravest
Lyrics: We go through every day,
trying to find our way
Hoping that we’re avoiding danger,
And though our efforts wane,
Take one look in my face,
You can’t deny that there’s a stranger
expression that points to pain.
The bravest, oh, the bravest are the tender
The bravest, the bravest are the tender ones
The bravest, the bravest are the tender ones,
The loving are the daring, the brave ones are the caring and the tender ones
We go through every day, trying to find our way
Hoping that we’re avoiding danger,
Every moment’s change the circumstances raise,
I’m holding on trying to savor the parts of myself that won’t deny the pain.
The bravest, oh the bravest are the tender
The bravest, the bravest are the tender ones
The bravest, the bravest are the tender ones,
The loving are the daring, the brave ones are the caring and the tender ones
The tender ones, the tender ones,
The gentle ones, the gentle ones,
The fragile ones, the fragile ones,
Questions for reflection:
- What is your definition of tenderness?
- Where do you notice you need it most in your life?
- Where do you already receive this gift and from whom?
- Where would you like to receive it more?
- What is your definition of true bravery?
- For some, tenderness isn't always a positive thing... is there a connection for you around tenderness and feeling triggered?
- What are your physical responses when you feel triggered?
- What are your mental responses when you feel triggered?
- What are the patterns that you notice in yourself when your emotions are triggered?
- In what ways do you go through life "hoping you're avoiding danger"?
- Is it hard for you to not want to 'deny' pain?
- How do you typically look for comfort when you are in pain?
- What are the most healing sources of comfort you have found?
- Are you able to be tender with yourself?
- Do you feel safe to be fragile with certain people in your life?
Lyrics: (written by JennyRebecca & Andrew Ronning)
I’d die every day, a thousand deaths,
a thousand ways, for your love, for your love,
I'd wait a million years
to see your face as it appears
through your love, your love,
I can't breathe, I can't sleep,
every thought your heart beat,
I am surrounded by your love,
surrounded by your love,
who you are suddenly
has me stunned and spinning,
I am surrounded by your love,
surrounded by your love
I’d face the greatest shame,
I’d risk it all, and bear the pain,
for your love, for your love,
I’d brave the battle cries
when chaos reigns and demons fly, for your love, for your love,
When I sense you are near, angel choirs are all I hear
I am surrounded by your love, surrounded by your love
I can't breathe, I can't sleep,
every thought your heart beat,
I am surrounded by your love,
surrounded by your love,
as it falls over me, I am drowning in your love, surrounded by your love,
as it falls over me, I am surrounded by your love, I am drowning, abounding in your love,
I give myself over, over, over to you,
I give myself over, over, over completely to you,
Reflection Questions:
- How would you define true love?
- How would you define compassion?
- Have you ever felt like accessing love and compassion within yourself (or for yourself/towards yourself is like learning a language?
- How "fluent" are you in the language of love and compassion with yourself?
- How fluent are you in this language with others?
- Have you ever loved someone so much that simply seeing their face in your mind's eye causes a visceral response of love? (this could also include a pet!)
- Could you imagine taking that same feeling of love and bringing that same "substance" of compassion that you feel for someone else, towards yourself? How often would you say you are able to feel that kind of love for yourself?
- Have you ever had a personal or religious experience that made you feel surrounded by love on all sides?
- What are the things that usually hinder you from either feeling or receiving that love?
- Have you ever felt safe enough to fully surrender - emotionally, physically, spiritually, mentally?
- What kinds of circumstances, environments, people are most likely to inspire surrender in you?
- When was the last time you felt really in love?
- Have you ever felt so in love that you couldn't sleep?!
- Would you be willing to risk everything for love?
Reflections on Compassion and Love with the song, SURROUNDED
Reflections on Identity and Self-Discovery with the song, ETERNAL
LYRICS:
I’m calling your name ooh
Something's got to change
When things feel this way,
I don’t know my left from
my right I feel so insane
I need to stand up,
get out of the mud that’s been
weighing me down
And remember, just who I am
I am so much more than I comprehend
And when I am standing tall
I am glistening, I am full of hope
The ups and the downs ooooh
Keep swirling around
Each morning I try to set myself right
but I fight with my history
The patterns and thoughts I’ve had for so long,
and I know that I must
remember, just who I am
I am so much more than I comprehend
And when I am standing tall
I am glistening, I am full of hope
I’m outside of time. I’m outside of pain,
outside of my mind, when I feel this way
suddenly, I am free,
I am eternal.
In a moment, you remind me, and in seconds you can find me
Hear your voice like a whisper and my worries disappear
when will I learn that I don’t need to fight to receive?
And remember, just who I am
I am so much more than I comprehend
And when I am standing tall
I am glistening I am full of hope
I’m outside of time. I’m outside of pain,
outside of my mind, when I feel this way,
suddenly, I am free,
I am eternal.
Questions for Reflection:
- Do you ever feel disconnected from who you are?
- What percentage of the time do you feel like you are in touch with your true self?
- What kinds of things help you reconnect to your true self or reclaim parts of you that have been lost?
- When you think of yourself as a child, can you remember some of your favorite characteristics/facets of your personality?
- Did your caregivers make you feel loved as a child? If so, how did that look?
- Do you find that you "feel loved" in similar ways now as an adult?
- Who, in your life, makes you feel powerful?
- Are there people in your life right now that help you connect to the infinite, timeless, eternal places inside yourself?
- Which friends or family members embrace your truest self and inspire the most authenticity in you?
- What has your latest big revelation about yourself been?
- How does your journey of knowing yourself shift and change as you get older?
- Is it easier to feel free as you get older?
- How easy is it for you to receive?
- Which people or activities in your life make you feel "outside of time, and outside of pain"?
- What does the phrase "I am so much more than I comprehend" mean to you?
- When was the last time you felt "full of hope"?
- Are there people in your life that make you feel full of hope?
Reflections on Needs and Gifts of Love through the song,
To Be Heard
To be heard
Is one of the greatest gifts we ever could receive
It’s one of the things that we so often really need
And one of the simplest things that we could ever give to someone else
Oh I can give the gift
That no one wants to give
Oh I can start to offer this
And even if my heart is aching for an ear
I’ve been given it before and I remember
When I’m really seen and really heard
It feels like magic
There is nothing that I couldn’t do
When I’m really feeling understood
Than all that’s tragic fades into the distance
And I’m full of so much courage
Oh I can give the gift
That no one wants to give
Oh I can start to offer this
And even if my heart is aching for an ear
I’ve been given it before and I remember
Questions for Reflection:
- When was the last time you felt really heard?
- Are there people in your life who give you the gift of listening and asking really thoughtful questions?
- Is this something that is valuable to you?
- How well do you feel you offer this to others?
- Being heard, seen, valued, accepted, and understood are essential in order to restore our hearts to wholeness. Were your parents or caregivers able to give you these gifts?
- What do you do when you feel like you have an unmet need that is aching to be met?
- How easy is it for you to recognize the needs you have and then communicate that to others?
- What is your favorite memory of a time when you felt really seen?
- What is your favorite memory of a time when you felt really accepted?
- What is your favorite memory of a person who made you feel truly valued?
Reflections on the Heart and on listening to your Intuition with the song,
HEART SONG
Lyrics:
You heard the song, it held you up
It was the song you always knew was yours
It gave you hope
And you’ve been searching all your life for this melody
To take you home
Sometimes you find it in the strangest places and it makes you feel not so alone
When you find you
in the center of your heart
You know exactly who you are
When you meet you,
You know everything, everything
Is gonna be just fine
It’s gonna be alright
Your heart song
Is singing through your life
It’s singing through your eyes
It’s singing through your smile
Your heart song
Is everything, everything
It’s the voice you hear inside
You heard the song
It fashioned all of your skin and bones together
And just like any haunting melody
It comes and goes just like the weather
When you find you
in the center of your heart
You know exactly who you are
When you meet you
You know everything, everything
Is gonna be just fine
It’s gonna be alright
Your heart song
Is singing through your life
It’s singing through your eyes
It’s singing through your smile
Your heart song
Is everything, everything
It’s the voice you hear inside
It’s been calling in the night
Your heart song
Is the presence you can find
When you feel like you've been blind
And you breathe in love and light
And you realize, it’s been there the whole time
Singing, singing,
Singing, singing
You are so beautiful
Singing, singing,
You are so beautiful
You've got a beautiful heart
You're heart song, is everything, everything
It's the voice you hear inside.
Questions for Reflection:
- Reflect on a time when you followed your intuition. What was the situation, and what decision did you make?
2. How did it feel to trust your intuition?
3. What was the outcome?
4. Think about a decision you made where you ignored your intuition.
5. What was the situation, and why did you choose not to listen to your intuition?
6. What were the consequences of that decision?
7. How might things have been different if you had trusted your inner voice?
8. Describe a situation where you experienced a "gut feeling."
9. What was happening, and what did your intuition tell you?
10. Did you act on that feeling, and what was the result?
11. If you didn't act on it, what held you back?
12. Write about a moment when you felt deeply connected to your intuition.
13. What were you doing at the time?
14. How did that connection influence your actions or decisions?
15. Identify areas of your life where you tend to rely on logic over intuition.
16. How might you balance logic and intuition in these areas?
17. What small steps can you take to start listening to your intuition more?
18. Imagine your intuition as a person or entity.
19. What does it look like, and what kind of personality does it have?
20. How does it communicate with you?
21. What messages does it want to share with you today?
22. How does your intuition guide you creatively?