Music That Lifts You Up

This weeks sounds are all aligned with Positive Affirmations; words meant to make your spirits high when you feel low and that serve as a reminder for times when you may forget just how amazing you are. I have been listening to these since the start of this month, so I wanted to move away from the Sounds of the Week(check out my previous blog series) which focused on weekly tunes. Now I’ll be sharing music every month that is both enjoyable and I feel has a great message over all.

That is the wonder of music, sounds and messages can hold a different shape for every being who listens to it. All of these songs have given me something to look forward to each day, sounds that resonate and put me in a good mood. May they do the same for you!

GRATITUDE- Londrelle

First up we have “Gratitude” by the lovely Londrelle. This is the first song I have ever heard by this artist and I immediately went for the full album experience after hearing this song. With Positive affirmations layered on top of a melodic saxophone, Gratitude opens your heart and brings you to a space where appreciation can be felt. I believe in being within a spirit of Gratitude, giving thanks where thanks is due. Even for the mundane or things we may take for granted; like the shine of the sun and the breath in our lungs. Listening to this song made me feel so happy and calm.

Everything deserves Gratitude, thats my everyday attitude
Londrelle

LOOSE MY COOL-070 SHAKE

Next we have a favorite here on the blog; the lovely 070 Shake’s Loose My Cool. I love this song because at first glance it is a feel good, feeling yourself type of beat. Then you listen to the lyrics and it makes the song even better. I enjoy listening to music that keeps my mind right, a lot of what you consume stays with you under the surface. There lies your subconscious and so much lives in our subconscious mind, why not consume music and content that tells your brain “I am confident and looking forward to growing more into the best version of myself”. 070 says it more elegantly, not wasting anytime to speak light over the mic:

I’m shooting for a higher self, a higher frequency
and you don’t gotta to touch me I can feel your energy
070 shake

This song reminds me to focus on being my best self each day and the important lesson of being aware of the energy that surrounds you. Whether that be energy within another being or the vibes within an environment, being mindful of either can protect you in so many ways. Energy carries and you don’t have to physically connect with someone to catch it. Food for thought for real, I love this song.

TIME (YOU AND I)- Khruangbin

Last (but never the least) we have Khruangbin’s Time(You and I). This song takes me to a place where my heart is glowing and I can really feel the groove. It’s an uplifting gem of a love song thats for sure. The kind of love song that reminds you of your inner child and can usually be brought out when you’re with that special someone. This songs gives just the right amount of reality; we will indeed grow old but hey THAT’S LIFE!

I love the nostalgic feel to this song as well, hearing it actually makes me excited to grow older. Khruangbin is surely becoming one of my favorite bands, their music can fit any vibe or atmosphere. I personally enjoy listening to them while I am working, cooking, or going for a walk. You name it, Khruangbin can set a great tone to your day that is sure to keep your spirits high.

Thanks for reading, for more music reviews check out my other blog posts called Sounds of the Week!

Till next time, Lee Sunshine

Affirmations to lift you UP

Podcast

Episode 2: You Too Are A Lovelee Being

Saying kind words to myself everyday is one of the ways I have transformed my life. I am a firm believer in the power of spoken word, in this episode I share some of my own affirmations and reflect on why I chose these words to lift me up everyday. For some fun context I recorded this episode in a local park near my home in West side Chicago, IL. As I was sitting in the park a family of ducks were migrating to the other side of the land and it really added to the moment for me.

This year involved a lot of firsts in my life and saying affirmations on a daily basis, even when I didn’t feel like it, was a major first. I consider myself an optimistic person so saying positive things seemed easy enough but I quickly learned that there is much more to affirming ones self than the words alone. All of what we say, our words, have strength and the intention behind them is what really makes the impact that is felt. Wether you believe what you are affirming to be true or not, starting with the words and then flowing into the embodiment of what they mean can create a whole new world of meaning.. This flow is what carries the affirmation from our mind and into our hearts. I am still in the practice of really accepting the flow for what it is. Below I included the affirmations I discuss in this episode. I hope they lift you up and inspire you to create some affirmations of your own.

Affirmations

I am that I am, nothing more nothing less. I am me, blessed. Bless

I can inspire others just by being myself, I am enough

Everything happening now is happening for my ultimate good, everyday I am growing

In this moment and in all moments I am exactly where I am supposed to be

Available of Spotify, Apple podcast, and more!

As Always love and sunshine, Peace

-Lee Sunshine

reach for the and blue moon neon signages

Feelings of Inspiration can be Fleeting

Creation

Playlist as I write

Feelings of inspiration can be fleeting. I spent the past week riding the roller coaster that is inspiration. For a series of moments everything truly does feel possible. Everything. Then, for a series of moments things look gray, that is when the worry and or uncertainty begins to cloud the vision. I consider myself a dreamer, someone who feels on the optimistic side of life. Reading books based around spirituality, self-care, and self-love have helped me to strengthen this way of believing. Lately I have had an abundance of inspiration all around me, I am so grateful for it all. Wether I’m at the grocery store or at home watching a documentary, I often find myself inspired by what I witness.

In light of these moments, I had the realization that a dream needs action behind it to come to fruition. Action and commitment despite what may happen along the journey to meeting a dream face to face in reality.

I titled this post ‘Feelings of Inspiration can be fleeting’ because I want to acknowledge the feeling head on. I don’t wish to let the moments of doubt or uncertainty overshadow the motivation I have to seize moments of inspiration for all they can be.

Surely, I am making my way towards my dreams and I’d encourage anyone with a dream to believe in it.

For the moments when the shadows come marching in I like to affirm to myself:

I can do anything I set my heart to do
It is ok to take your time, rushing isn’t a solution
I am free to think, do, and believe as I please
Society doesn’t set my standards for living, I do
Faith leads to success
Put spirit first and everything else follows
Nothing is worth the sacrifice of happiness, nothing

May these help others in times of need, keep on dreaming dreamers and feel the vibes of inspiration all around!

– Lee Sunshine, K.H

close up photo of woman in red activewear meditating

444 my peace

Podcast

While I was journaling last week, a question that kept coming back to mind was “how do you create Peace in your life?” a question that keeps me mindful of what Peace really means to me. In my life Peace means that I am not living in fear. Peace means that I am safe. Peace means that I am grounded. Peace means that I am in the flow of life.

I was reading The Book of Ecclesiastes, one of the many books of wisdom found in the Bible. In this book the author wrote a lot about what the meaning of life is and how much of that meaning is not found in possession but what is within our spirit.

For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.
The Bible, Ecclesiastes 7:12

This week is already off to the start with a test, a lesson waiting to be learned. Bringing Peace into my life has always felt like a defense, a defense against the person or thing I wanted to be Peaceful around for their sake more so than my own. Now that I am rebuilding my relationship with Peace I have to remind myself of things I am not yet use to thinking. This is a large part of me becoming more of who I know myself to be at heart, I am at Peace. Here are some affirmations I wanted to share, may they help you in times where Peace feels far

You are not harming anyone when you say no, no is a valid response
Reflect before you respond, Reflect before you react
It is ok to just breath, pause for as long as you need
I release the fear attached to any expectations, I do not expect
I do not let the expectations from others overshadow my freedom of choice
I am free, I am calm

It’s ok to remind and affirm yourself of whatever it is that YOU need. Peace doesn’t look the same for everyone. Being mindful of your needs in light of what others need requires balance. Balance is tough, but not impossible.