The past few years have been a bit heavy—well, a lot heavy—for everyone. From no toilet paper or cleaning supplies on store shelves to being on lockdown in our homes for months on end, it has been a different and difficult time. It still is. But we are, prayerfully, heading toward better days. I take comfort in that.

One of the things that has always brought me comfort is music. Music can transport us instantly to a time or place where life was “Free”, “Golden” or “Happy.” As you can see, “I Love Music.”  The healing properties of music have been studied and proven to have profound effects on people. I know it certainly has healing effects for me.

Music helped me a great deal during the height of the pandemic. I found myself making a playlist for just about everything: an empowerment playlist, a relaxation playlist, a productivity playlist. . . creating an environment where I could get a dose of what I needed when I needed it—on demand.  Music became a warm blanket that wrapped me in a smooth, familiar beat.  I found myself listening to music while working from home, while cleaning the house, and even at times when I was feeling frustrated or upset.

It was a form of therapy for me during the pandemic, and if I’m honest, music has always been a go-to, to make me feel better. You would be surprised at the number of people that have used music therapy as a healing practice.

As we head into the tail end of the pandemic (prayerfully), I find myself getting “Back in Stride.” Not only that, but I’m also enjoying getting back to having more “Happy Feelings.” Maybe not the same stride I had pre-pandemic or the same happy feelings, but a stride and happy feelings, nonetheless. It’s time to create some new normalcy and get into a rhythm that works for me. I encourage you to do the same. Find a stride, a plan, a routine that works for you and embrace all that life has to offer. Find your happy feelings.

I choose a guiding word for the year—every year.  It’s a practice I started about 5 years ago and one that I continue to this day. This year was no exception. I decided that my word for 2022 is stride. So, while being cautious, I am getting back into being out and about. From Drag Brunch on a Sunday to the Margarita Festival to going to a professional basketball game, I am creating experiences and finding my footing. My experiences have helped me to regain my stride.

My post-COVID stride may not be the same as my pre-COVID stride (I have masks in my purse, hand sanitizer and wipes everywhere, and my own supply of Clorox and Lysol wipes in the house), but I realize that getting back in stride is a vital part of my healing and recovery process. I know that life will never be exactly the way it was before the pandemic, but I look forward to better and greater. I continue daily to “Encourage Myself,” and on the days when I am feeling “Good as Hell,” I embrace it.

I believe that the worst is behind us, and now is the time to find some things to look forward to! I encourage you to get your stride back and know that music can help.  Create some playlists with your favorite songs, make some time during the day to enjoy your favorite musical artists, and know that “Brighter Days” are on the horizon.