Ever have a bad day? Every have a really bad day? A day that's so bad all you can do is crank up some hard beats on the drive home from work and zone out? I recently had such a day that left me listless, breathless, confused, disappointed, frustrated, sad, and saddled with a whole slew of wide ranging emotions. My drive home that day wanted to include my standy-by Linkin Park playlist or "Stand" by Blues Traveller. However, in the midst of my emotions and thumb flicks on Spotify, I decided to instead navigate to an album I heard just once the day before. It is not your typical I'm-in-a-bad-mood-and-want-to-zone-out-the-world hard beat, fast tempo, angry lyrics album. Actually, pretty much the opposite (except for the fast tempo).
This initial day turned into a week and a half of hard reflection, sobering enlightenment, and conscious action planning. It was a situation that had played out once before in my career and gave perspective. During the entire 10 day period of difficult conversations, analytics, and planning I listened to this album nearly on repeat. Over and over. And over. And over and over. In the car. At work with earbuds. On the way to lunch. Everywhere. Reluctantly. All I wanted to do was listen to Linkin Park. Ugh!
The album is Good News by Rend Collective. Its lyrics penetrated deep into my soul giving me hope, vision, and clarity to deal with my difficult situation. The first time I listened to it on the drive home the song "Life is Beautiful" played and I was listening to "Counting Every Blessing" as I pulled into my driveway. It's REALLY hard to be negative when listening to lyrics such as:
Painter of skies, maker of stars
Holder of seas and all our hearts
Artist of life, Father of lights
When I'm with You my soul ignites
and...
I was blind, now I'm seeing in colour
I was dead, now I'm living forever
I had failed, but You were my Redeemer
I've been blessed beyond all measure
I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing
Letting go and trusting when I cannot see
I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing
Surely every season You are good to me
Next time I have a bad day, this album is on the top of my list!