For those of you just joining in, this is my first installment in the project to create a manifesto from my running songs playlist.  Why am I creating a manifesto or why from my playlist?  Well, there are more details in my last post but in a nutshell I think music says a lot about who we are.  It transcends.  It takes us back or forward or reminds us of who we really are or who we always wanted to be.  And because of that, I will be pulling meaning and lessons from all of the songs on my running playlist.  Prepare yourself.  I have eclectic taste in music to say the least.  My husband considers many of the songs I love almost impossible to listen to so… with that, here we go:

I’ll admit this one’s almost cheating.  But I’m a big believer in going after the low hanging fruit whenever you start a project (For those of you paying attention, there’s a tidbit for my manifesto: "always go after low hanging fruit whenever you start a project"  That makes this a 2 for 1 post.  See what I just did there??).  Anyway, that’s what this song is, easy pickins. The message in this song is right there in front of you.  And it really isn’t cheating because it is on the Running Songs playlist, so there.  The playlist is on shuffle and I was actually surprised when this one came up recently.  it’s actually a little slower tempo than things I would normally consider a “running” song.  I have no idea what I was thinking when I added this to my playlist but I have a few guesses.

First, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Mary Chapin Carpenter.  Listening to her music always makes me happy, especially because I usually sing along, very loudly.  (Yes, even when walking Astro, the wonder dog, and wearing earbuds.  Neighbors, beware!)  I like to believe that Mary Chapin is one of those artist I could sound a lot like if …let’s say… I could really sing well.  However, lack of ability doesn’t hold me back when it comes to belting along with my girl, Mary Chapin.

And the second reason this song is on there is because I absolutely love the message.   The refrain says it all:

I’m not running.  I’m not hiding.  I’m not reaching.  I’m just resting in the arms of the Great Wide Open.  Gonna pull my soul in.  And I’m almost home.  Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo. 

So there you have it folks, life meaning numero uno.  I believe it’s time to stop running and hiding and reaching.  I believe in resting in the arms of the Great Wide Open or the Great I AM and experiencing the magic, the flow.  Do I do that all of the time?  Well no.  I don’t.   But that’s kind of the point of the journey.  Remember I said, we never arrive at the destination we just keep on traveling and with each day, I try to get a little better at this one.

If you have the time and are so inclined, I highly recommend singing along to this one.  If you don’t feel good as you belt this out (including the doo doo doo’s) I just don’t know what to tell you…. Maybe see a doctor for that.

Please feel free to post something that has meaning for you below.  Include the link so we can listen along with you.  Let's keep creating that mix-tape together.  I can't wait to hear your tunes.