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MOLLY'S CHOICES
Choice 1 - Pure Imagination
Choice 2 - Firework
Choice 3 - Make Your Own Kind of Music
Choice 4 - Beat Control
Choice 5 - Go Outside
Choice 6 - Soak Up The Sun
Choice 7 - Ray of Light
Choice 8 - Wonderful World
Choice 9 - Shake It Out
Choice 10 - My Sweet Baby
I've chosen this song as imagination is what we aim to ignite in children here at Owlbut's World of Learning and I just love it.
The lyrics, the music, the sound of it all. "Anything you want to, do it. Want to change the world? There's nothing to it".
As we mention, children seemed to be squeezed into a little box through the school system here in the UK. They learn what they
get taught, if they even listen, if they're even interested. There aren't many opportunities for children to expand on their own interests
and be exposed to a variety of artistic expression. We need to spend more time using our imaginations, to wonder, to daydream.
These days, "influencers" across social media, seem to be feeding the brains of our younger generation. Feeding them with
opinions, fake news, misdirection, materialistic focus, vanity and portraying a desired life that we end up thinking we want and ought
to have. No room for wondering and thinking and imagining what we might like, what we're good at and that we can only know by going out
there and doing different things, trying different things, experiencing different things.
Put down your devise, read a book, watch the clouds, paint, draw, dance, craft, build, write, sing, play. "Living there, you'll
be free. If you truly wish to be".
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Many of us lack confidence when we shouldn't. Many of us have negative thoughts about ourselves when we shouldn't. "I'm not good enough, shouldn't have done that, said that, I'm ugly, too fat, they won't like me...." We can worry too much about what others think of us, about fitting in and being accepted.
I like how empowering this song is when I'm feeling low, a reminder that we all have a unique light in us that deserves to shine. "You don't have to feel like a waste of space, you're original, cannot be replaced". Being individual is what makes each of us so amazing, special and valuable but sometimes it's hard to remind ourselves of that. It's so easy in life to become overwhelmed and struggle to manage sometimes, as if we're "paper thin, like a house of cards, one blow from caving in".
It's easy to lose all hope but "if you only knew what the future holds, after a hurricane comes a rainbow". I have learnt that there is always an up after a down, we have days when we feel strong and happy and other days when we don't want to talk to anyone and hide away. It's okay. Were human. Life is about overcoming challenges, dealing with situations, experiencing things. It's important to remember that the spark in us never can go out. “You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine, Baby you're a firework, come on, let your colours burst"
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So many of us feel the pressure to fit in, follow the crowd, please and impress others. So many of us stay in a job or a relationship because we worry what might lie for us on the other side, we worry what change might bring. Some of us are scared to be alone, scared of the unknown "it may be rough going, just to do your thing is the hardest thing to do".
We mustn't be afraid to be ourselves, to shine our light, to express what's inside, to make our own kind of music, even if nobody else sings along. It's when we're at our best, following our interests, dreams and desires. We shouldn't let anyone or anything hold us back from our true potential, even if it feels uncomfortable at first, because the world needs more people to share their individualities, rather than be moulded into what others want them to be or do, or what you think you ought to be or do. Break free from the security of doing the same boring, soulless thing again and again and pursue your dreams!
"You've gotta make your own kind of music, sing your own special song, make your own kind of music, even if nobody sings along".
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It's easy to become so wrapped up in the stresses and worries of life, that we barely have time to relax, have fun and do something for ourselves. This song motivates me to get up, dance and let the beat control me; to not think of anything else but the music and how much fun I'm having. I'm sure I'm not the only one who cares more than I should about what other people think, I do it without realising and it can be dangerous.
Never can we truly know what others think of us nor can we control what people say about us either. All the more reason to do fun things as "we always have the rhythm here, in our blood and in our souls" and no one can every take that away from us. Music for me is an instant mood lifter, I love getting lost in my favourite songs, dancing and singing my heart out. The best place for singing is in my car, where I turn up the volume and feel all consumed by the beat.
Now that I have Lola to entertain, I'm often being silly and playing with her bringing pure joy and a reminder of the lack of fun I had prior. Being an adult, we lose the importance of having fun, playing isn't just for children but something we should always make time for throughout our lives. When was the last time you played and had fun?
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One day, I heard this song on Spotify and just had to add it to my playlist. The tune and vibe of it made me feel good and I just love being outside. I've been in relationships with people who don't want to go outside and stop to see the day but who do seem to "sleep the light away", especially during lockdown when it was so easy to lay in and get into a late riser routine.
I can relate to the lyrics but not all songs are the lyrics relatable yet the vibe of it is. Funny how you don't always clock onto every single lyric that is sung when you first hear a song. There are some songs that I like because of the music and some because of the lyrics, some don't make any sense at all but I just love the vibe of it.
Music should be about how it speaks to you. It's as if we have another sense that comes alive with the sound of some songs, an unconscious part of us that it hits, awakening a thought or feeling or simply just tuning into our own vibe at that time. Oh how I love music. What magic. "I think it's good to go out, cause if you don't, you'll never make a memory that will stay."
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I like listening to or singing this song when I'm sitting in the sun. It makes me feel warm, safe, hugged, nourished, inducing a smile across my face. Soon it will be the summer solstice which means we have the longest amount of light within the whole year. It has me feeling motivated to do more things, explore new places, and enjoy the fullness of the trees and plants, in their abundance and at their peak. What a wonderful time of year to be outside in nature, watching the butterflies flutter around, the bees buzzing from flower to flower, the birds chattering and basking in the sunlight.
This song isn't just about sunbathing but it reminds me that we need to be more in the moment, more grateful for the simple things we have and that we shouldn't compare ourselves to others success, it doesn't mean they are fulfilled inside and truly happy. Even those who are rich and get what they want often don't feel satisfied.
Don't forget to count your blessings every day. It's only within ourselves, deep inside that we can find the key to true happiness. You are your own hero. Don't tolerate those who don't lift you up and feel good. Bask in the sun and within your own happiness.
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I'm choosing this song as it's connected to 6 year old me on her first holiday abroad, experiencing new places and spending the days in endless warm sunshine. My family had hired a car and we had only brought a few CDs with us at the time. One of which was Madonna's - Ray of Light album that we played repeatedly throughout our drives around Spain for 2 weeks.
I love how a song, despite its lyrics or meaning, can take you back so vividly to a memory. Feelings are relived and come back so suddenly in a wave of every emotion felt at that time. This song induces good memories, good times and it makes me feel like I'm on holiday.
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This song reminds me to focus on the simple things in life. Too often we are busy with the "to-do list" in our heads, working all day, making sure we attend appointments, arrangements, making sure this is done and that is done, until suddenly the day comes to an end and we realise we haven't sat down, let alone taken a moment to think of all the good things, to count our blessings and reflect positively on the day. Too busy thinking on what still needs doing, worrying about how a meeting might go, or a work project, or what to say to that someone who needs confronting.
Whatever it may be, we indeed need to ensure that at some point in the chaos there is room for good thoughts, appreciation, gratitude and acknowledgment for the simple things that bring us joy; from the colours of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky, to the luscious green trees and roses that bloom near by. Nature is always there, standing strong, consistent, reliable, an abundance of beauty and wonder. Just simply watching the birds fly and the fluffy clouds in the sky, brings instant peace, a moment to breath and feel nourished. Life isn't all bad. Our home here on planet earth is truly miraculous.
What joy to witness her impermanent beauty, it will not be here forever. One day our planet will cease to exist, what an honour it is to be here whilst she's thriving. What a wonderful world.
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You can't deny that living a life on earth is a massive learning curve in many ways. Learning about the world, people and ourselves. The human experience comes hand in hand with dealing with emotions and what a roller-coaster that can feel like at times!
Whilst on this roller-coaster of ups and downs, feeling this and feeling that, we may pick up regrets along the way, mistakes and feelings of guilt. It doesn't matter how many times someone can say "never have regrets" just "move on and learn from your mistakes". it's never that simple and never happens quickly.
I love how Florence portrays the feeling of carrying around negative emotions in this song. "it's hard to dance, with the devil on your back, so shake him off", emphasizing the struggle of carrying emotional burdens and the need to release them.
We need to learn to soften, to find forgiveness for ourselves and for others, to "shake off" the negativity and move towards a place of acceptance and healing. It's no good punishing ourselves, reliving the darkness and being haunted everyday by hardships that could have been smoother if only we'd done or said this or that. "it's always darkest before the dawn" even in the face of adversity, there is hope for a better future. Things will get better. We have to think positively and let go.
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Motherhood is wonderful. Despite working with children for over 10 years and watching my 5 nieces and nephews grow, nothing has prepared me for having my own. My sweet baby. How perfect she is and how lucky I feel.
My love for her is immensely strong, a love you cannot know until you have your very own precious life in your arms. Words really can't describe the way I love her. She is so precious, so loved and so adorable. Watching her grow the last 9 months has been an incredible experience. What a beauty, to witness her change and grow so much already.
Yes, there have been times I've felt frustrated, but never could I be mad at her, she's so innocent. I'm excited for what the future holds, yet trying to take in every single detail of every single moment, in the hope that I never forget and can always recall every time she has melted my heart, made me laugh and the millions of smiles she has given me. "I just want her by her side my whole life", "she's the brightest light in the highest high".
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