I'd like to die with the songs I love stuck in my head.

At any given point, on any given day, I've got music playing. If I'm in a place where this isn't feasible (like class, or a meeting), then I have a song in my mind. It's likely one of the most recent songs I've heard, but I am occasionally surprised by what I find myself mentally karaoke-ing.

I've often marveled at my attachment to music. I don't just enjoy it... I rarely do anything without it. It's almost a physical need I have in my life like air, water, and food. It's a form of sustenance to me. I don't know why this is, though I am certainly not alone in my love of music and language arts in my family. I say language arts because my attachment to music, though instrumentals can certainly move my heart, lies primarily in the lyrics. I'm fascinated by the metaphors of life illustrated in song. A pretty melody and some outstanding accompaniment is certainly important... but it's the lyrics that usually truly get to me.

I find myself looking for ways to get and hear more and more music, of many varieties. My taste is described most accurately as eclectic. Old, new, fast, slow, loud, soft, it doesn't matter. I can usually find something to like about it. I just love the experience of it all.

I'd like to take that passion and desire to know the music, lyrics, and artists and apply that to people in general. What if everyone is just a different song, with lyrics and instrumentals that sing of passions and experiences? I'm certain there is at least one thing to if not LIKE about everyone, at least to appreciate.

Back in high school, my best friend and I used to have a rule where if we caught ourselves speaking negatively about someone, we would stop and think of 3 positive aspects of that person. Sometimes it was a stretch, and sometimes our motivations weren't necessarily pure, but I still found it helpful. That might be something to reconsider doing again. Lately I've been making snap judgments in my head, which I believe to be harmful to myself as well as how I treat others.

I espouse a lot of unconditional positive regard and acceptance, but inwardly I find that I don't always adhere to a value I claim to be so important. We're all hypocrites sometimes. If we can recognize that and work to counteract it, I can't help but believe that we'd all be a little happier.