Challenge, exploration, reflection, change, connection: each of these things is part of the shifting times we are living through, and that we consider in this ongoing series. There are other aspects of life that musicians address, too, of course.

Take a bit of time to let the creativity of these artists speak to you of, and during, shifting times.

This summer, my husband and I undertook a move. A relocation from Massachusetts to Arizona has been undertaken by others, no doubt. We decided to make things a little more interesting than a direct route. We headed north. Our circuitous route is winding us through Newfoundland, Portugal, and North Carolina. When one would think to take the southerly route from the Carolina’s to Arizona in the winter months, we will make Bugs Bunny’s famous right turn at Albuquerque to get to Bozeman, Montana. Then, we’ll drive to Arizona.

“I can almost see it, that dream I’m dreaming
But there’s a voice inside my head saying you’ll never reach it
Every step I’m taking, every move I make feels lost with no direction
My faith is shaking, but I, I gotta keep trying, gotta keep my head held high” - The Climb, Miley Cyrus

In the northern hemisphere, spring is coming on; to the south of the globe, it is autumn. Both of those are seasons of change, and seasons of resilience. Seasons in which noticing and exploring changes in nature can help one’s perspective on changing and shifting times.

Music to go along with these ideas:

On Hollywood’s biggest night, as one of the creators of the Oscar-winning movie Everything Everywhere All At Once accepted his golden statue, he mentioned that his “imposter syndrome was at an all-time high.” Seriously, this guy is part of the team that swept seven awards that night—and he still didn’t feel like he fully deserved to be there. If this doesn’t say how strong our thoughts are and how much weight we give them, I don’t know what does. 

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