It doesn’t require an hour of meditation; a hike to the highest mountain or watching a newborn peacefully sleeping. It can be as simple as listening to the lyrics of your favorite song.
As someone who believes in the magic of words to transform both business and relationships, I am still struck at how the words of a particular song can stop you in your tracks, instigate goose bumps, fill eyes with tears, and have a heart that feels like it may simple combust.
If that is not magic, I do not know what is!
I am in awe of the artists that can find meaning in places that most of us mere mortals have never even thought about, and turn them into metaphors for humanity.
“You know we are made up of love and hate, but both of them balanced on a razor blade" What do I know? Ed Sheeran
There is a reason that the choice of song is a key fundamental aspect of two of life’s most ceremonious occasions; marriage and funerals.
(and can also be used for the birth of a child but that doesn’t always go to plan…no comments Mark Ley!)
These songs are a 3-4 minute capitulation that can summarize our entire feelings about a person that we seem unable to express within our own vocabulary portfolio. When someone else seems to be able to reach in and pull out our deepest thoughts, turn them into coherent sentences and line them up with a backing tune for deeper effect…yep magic!
- One song can save a relationship.
- One song can summarize a life well lived.
- One hour of writing can pull a teenager back from the edge as a form of almighty release.
- One corporate tag line can bring a company to the forefront of a consumer's mind.
“Melts in your mouth, not in your hand”
"Thank you Mr Hooker”
“Just do it”
“Because you’re worth it”
“Have a break…have a kit kat”
The thing is though, we are all actually capable of writing and getting those 'stuck' words out from the pits of our guts and onto paper.
It just takes presence, time and complete mindfulness of what we are feeling. You may not be filling stadiums with fifty thousand people but if you put those three together, I promise, something will come out.
I also challenge those in business to look at the words you are using to express the best parts of your business. Does it inspire, stop consumers in their tracks, or make you look so apathetic that others want to poke forks in their eyes?
One last thing I would LOVE to hear the song or lyric that changed a direction in your life.
Please email me loumcgregorstrategy@gmail.com and let me know if I have permission to post in my next newsletter.
I will leave you with two songs that to me, personally, have the magic effect. One I have never really taken notice of until watching Ed Sheeran perform it live the other night, and the other is a favourite from one of my all time most loved singer/songwriters and in line with this theme, is all about words.
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