Pearl One
Iron Man opens to “Back in Black.” Star Wars to its iconic opening’s symphony piece. And The Lion King to “Circle of Life.”
We even know a show’s name solely by it’s opening music: “I’ll be there for you” and “there’s this story of a lovely lady…”
The power of music. Hollywood and the ad guys have understood for decades how to use music to send chills of excitement up and down our spines, to set the scene, and to foreshadow what’s to come. (Think of the scary opening of Jaws. The da-da-dum was created with a piano and tuba. It’s a sequence we’ll never forget.)
Parents do it for babies and young kids when they sing lullabies. School House Rock used it to teach us about all kinds of things from grammar to the government.
Music is its own super power.
There are so many ways to use music for our highest good as we make this trek up the “lose after fifty” mountain. Let’s choose the right song to get through difficult days or difficult long-term projects.
We already use music for workouts, but we can also use it for any difficult moment. Why not play “upper” songs the next time you’re dealing with difficult family, or terrible red tape, or grief and sadness.
These are my go-to songs today that I wish I’d had as a teen: “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”, “Roar” and “Born this Way. When you have a moment, play with this idea of music as therapy. Create your favorite “mood” songs list and use it to support yourself through the toughest of times. ❄️
Pearl Two
Run, don’t Walk. Faux eggnog (I add the rum.) Tiny gingerbread men. Boozy Macarons. Yum-city. All three are found in Trader Joe’s. All three are way lower in calories than their regular counterparts.
The fun food I also love to have during the holidays: candy canes or popcorn drizzled in chocolate. If I really want something tasty, I’ll save it for tomorrow’s morning coffee. ❄️
Pearl Three
Sequencing is taken directly from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The purpose of sequences is to help us move from reacting to circumstances to responding. I encourage you to do a sequence a day in your journal. Powerful stuff.
Automatic Sequence
I’m speaking as if I’m Susan.
- Situation (something very concrete): I see the oncologist on Thursday.
- Thought: Both Tracy and Jackie died of what I have. I’ll lose my hair.
- Feeling: Terrified.
- Action: I overeat.
- Result: I wait with fear for the appointment and feel bad about my body.
Chosen Sequence
- Situation (something very concrete): I see the oncologist on Thursday.
- Chosen thought: I’ve gotten through hard times in the past and I’ll get through this newest battle now. I will focus on Groucho Marx who said, “patience is the art of finding something else to do.”
- Feeling: Surprised. I hadn’t looked at it that way. (One does need a lot of patience when dealing with everything medical.)
- Action: In finding something to do while I’m patient for the conclusion to my health issue, I’ve decided to adopt an older, small dog whose energy matches mine. I’ll likely fuss over her and take her to the small dog park.
- Result: My rescue-dog is home with me and I’ve named her “Truffles.” ❄️
Pearl Four
Books love us and want us to be happy!
I’m just getting into Earth’s the Right Place for Love by Elizabeth Berg and I’m wondering why I hadn’t found this writer sooner. She’s not only good, but she’s prolific too so we a lot to choose from.
This story just came out in 2023 and it falls under the genre literary fiction. I’m halfway into this one and it’s an excellent read. Five star book-dessert. I think you’ll like it. ❄️
Pearl Five
There is just no getting around that turning bad things into good things is up to you.” ❄️
Deepak Chopra
I’m thinking about doing a four-night cruise with friends in early 2026. I noticed how just thinking about the plans have given me a little jolt of happiness.
Have a great week!!
♥, Wendy p.s. I’m still looking for those who live with scarfers!
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I am not an expert, a doctor, a surgeon, a nurse, dietician, or a nutritionist: the information within TheInspiredEater.com is based solely on my personal experience and is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
