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You know in The Sound of Music when Julie Andrews runs up the hill, spins around, and emits the most beautiful sound from her mouth? In that famous movie moment, she exhibits the kind of joy I want in my life at all times. It's pure. It's unadulterated. And guess what? It involves singing!
I'm a singer, and I always have been. I've studied voice, I've trained for more than half my life, and my degree even involves music. But listen, I get it. Not everyone is like me. Not everyone is a singer. But everyone (with the exception of the truly tone-deaf) can sing.
I don't care what you think. You're wrong. You can sing. Someone somewhere along the way may have told you otherwise, but I'm here to tell you, those people are crazypants. In this article from The Atlantic, it mentions that only 5% of people, 1 in 20, are truly tone-deaf. The article suggests that the majority of people can discern notes and have decent vocal ranges.
There is a perception, though, that usually begins in middle school. As you start to lose control of your body - thanks, hormones! - you also lose control of your voice. The innate abilities you have in pre-puberty suddenly take more work, but this isn't widely explained to school children. The article also states that only one-third of school students take elective music classes. So, once someone told you you couldn't sing or you've decided it for yourself, you probably threw in the towel and barely opened your mouth again.
Here's the thing, folks. The Lord wants us to sing. Psalm 100 says, "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs." If God Himself is asking us to sing, then who are we to deny that? He certainly doesn't care what we sound like because He made us! It's so important that we raise our voices in thanksgiving to God for all He has done for us, for all He has brought us through, especially after last year. And while prayer is obviously a proper way to accomplish this, we shouldn't discount singing, too.
Hans Christian Andersen is quoted as saying, "When words fail, music speaks." Sometimes, prayers don't pack the same punch as a song. I think that's what Psalm 100 is saying. It's reminding us to not just merely pray but to do so fervently - to shout, to sing! So for this month's playlist, I encourage you to abandon your insecurities and sing along - out loud! - with the songs on this list. If it makes you feel better, get in your car and put it on full blast while you drive around the neighborhood. That way you won't hear yourself. It will be cathartic, and it will bring you joy!
What are some things you'll be shouting your praises for this month?
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Click HERE to listen on YouTube.
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