The Soundtrack of Our Lives 🎧

My current playlists...

These days we don’t just have favorite songs—we have playlists. I was thinking about this a month ago when I was curating songs for a Dance one of my churches host.

Playlists for long drives.

Playlists for workouts.

Playlists for rainy days.

Playlists for when the world feels overwhelming.

Music has a way of meeting us exactly where we are emotionally. Sometimes it doesn’t change our feelings right away—it simply names them. And once we feel seen, the music can slowly carry us somewhere new.

Both of my kids have playlists for different moods. They’ve curated collections of songs that speak to them depending on what they’re feeling in the moment. Some songs help them celebrate when life feels good. Some help them process frustration. Others help them shake off a bad day. Both currently are listening to Mat Kearney's "Coming Home (Oregon)" - all about Oregon - because we're moving so far away (we're not). It’s their own personal emotional soundtrack.

And honestly, adults do this too—even if we don’t always label it as neatly.

I have songs I turn to when I’m feeling nostalgic, especially songs that remind me of my dad. When I hear “The Unicorn” by The Irish Rovers, I’m immediately transported to memories of laughter and the kind of moments that stay with you long after they’re gone. The same is true when I hear music by Kenny Rogers or the harmonies of The Everly Brothers. Those songs carry memory in their melodies. They’re like musical time machines.

Then there are the songs for when frustration with the world bubbles up.

When the headlines pile up.

When injustice feels overwhelming.

When the state of things just feels… heavy.

Sometimes the only honest response is to turn up “I’m Not Ready to Make Nice” by The Chicks and sing along at the top of your lungs. Other days it might be the raw edge of “I Hate Everything About You” by Three Days Grace or the pointed honesty of “Dear Mr. President” by Pink or the dichotomy of grief and joy of "My Joy is Heavy" by The Bengsons. And then there are all the Broadway shows I listen to. Too many to name. Those songs don’t necessarily fix the world—but they give voice to the frustration many of us feel.

And maybe that’s part of the gift of music. It helps us process what’s inside us.

Joy.

Grief.

Anger.

Hope.

Memory.

Music gives each of those feelings somewhere to go.

When you start thinking about it, our lives are full of playlists—even if they only exist in our heads. Songs tied to childhood memories. Songs that helped us through heartbreak. Songs that carried us through difficult seasons. Songs that make us roll the windows down and sing without caring who hears.

Music becomes part of our story.

So now I’m curious. If your life had playlists, what would be on them?

• The nostalgia playlist.

• The “the world is driving me crazy” playlist.

• The joy playlist.

• The get-me-through-this-day playlist.

Because chances are, somewhere in that mix is a song that has carried you further than you ever expected.

And sometimes, all we need is to press play. 🎶