"Musick has charms to sooth a savage breast,
To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak."...William Congreve, in The Mourning Bride, 1697

Music has also helped give me a boost of confidence or make me feel stronger.

Lyrics that have done this are:

Whistle a happy tune (from The King and I)

Whenever I feel afraid
I hold my head erect
And whistle a happy tune
So no one will suspect I'm afraid

The result of this deception
Is very strange to tell
For when I fool the people
I fear I fool myself as well

Kind of like 'fake it till you make it'. I have often pretended to be brave or confident and in doing so I have found confidence where I thought there was none.

I am Woman (Helen Reddy)

I am woman, hear me roar....

If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman!

You can bend but never break me
'cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
'cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul

I remind myself often of this song. Particularly the 'you can bend but never break me' part. I remember a number of years ago one of my children came home crying. He told me that someone said that I was fat. It made him sad that someone called me a name. 

I held my little boys face in my hands and looked him in the eye. I told him that it was OK. Though his friend said those things to hurt my son and possibly me, we choose not to give those words power because HELLO! I AM fat . In accepting this, those words may bend me but they can't break me.

Firework (Katy Perry)

You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July

'Cause, baby, you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth

ROAR (Katy Perry)

I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
'Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
'Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar

Brave (Sara Bareilles)


Show me how big your brave is


Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave

What you have to say is important. Don't ever be afraid to say what's on your mind. Maybe you need to take some time beforehand to just whistle (scroll back up to the first song choice if you need a refresher).


What doesn't kill you (Kelly Clarkson)


What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter


Yes the song is about breaking up with someone but the chorus can be sung (preferably loudly) about any difficult situation. 


What is your go to 'feel strong' song? You know the one. The one you turn the volume way up for.

I really enjoyed watching this video for a number of reasons. First of all I have a tender heart towards all those with special needs, their family and carers. Secondly I love that Katy Perry sang her hit song with Jodi letting Jodi take the lead. And then I LOVE this song,  It's one of my favourite songs at the moment.

I love this song because at times I have felt "...so paper thin
Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?" I also know there are many of you out there who feel the same.

For all you who are feeling like you're "buried deep six feet under?
Scream but no one seems to hear a thing" I want to look you right in the eyes and tell you "After a hurricane comes a rainbow.......baby, you're a firework Come on, show 'em what you're worth......It's always been inside of you.....And now it's time to let it through."

You ROCK! Let's do lunch.  xoxoxox

As I left a building today the wind had really picked up. I saw this tree and noticed there was only two leaves left attached and they were blowing in the breeze.

I thought about how we can be thrown about by the winds of trials and sorrows.  It's hard to do at times but HANG ON. Hang on like these two little leaves were on this blustery, windy day.

"You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." A.A.Milne