I began doing seasonal playlists once I settled into my life in Denver. There is a healthy rhythm to the seasons, and I was able to experience them in Denver during 2019-2020. I was also creating playlists at Denver Children’s home for the Midtown dorm, so there was plenty of music being discovered, analyzed, and consumed. Once I transitioned to graduate school in Portland, OR, I planned to continue these types of playlists to give a soundtrack to my years studying family therapy. Instead, I am using them as my own therapy after I was asked to leave graduate school for having a melt down in front of the faculty. I now work at Zoo Montana fulltime, healing my own trinity from all the tension, trauma, and twisted-ness (aka the “unholy trinity”) that I acquired during four decades in this reality.
The playlists have 99 to 123 songs, and after the first iteration, I no longer colored the playlist covers. Instead, I chose 4 songs that had album covers that spoke to me and represented the values and lyrics of the music. Try to see phrases talking about love, or needing somebody, as songs between your own mind and body (that connection might just be your soul). It’s my perspective when I listen, as well as hearing God’s love throughout all the music…
Fall in Denver
Sep – Nov 2019 – My playlist for the next 4 months. I’ve settled into life in Denver. I’m making friends, improving myself, gaining valuable work experience, and waiting for the chance to re-apply to grad school for counseling.
Winter Dreams
This playlist spans winter 2019 through February 2020 in Denver, CO. The first 4 tracks were chosen specifically to communicate ways I was being touched by the Holy Spirit. I was dreaming about stepping into the next phase of my life – Counseling grad school while I applied to 7 schools in 3 states.
Spring Arising
The topside half of my spring journeys which encompassed interviewing for grad school. I traveled to Oregon and around Colorado attempting to get into grad school. Only one school accepted me…Lewis & Clark college in Portland. Suddenly, my next 3 years had a trajectory and plan! Hallelujah!
The Wilderness
The backside to Spring Arising. Moving during a pandemic, helping my parents re-organize their basement, and having new roommates tests me in new ways. The Wilderness can be so good for us, if we can just see it as such. And so much resonance with the images…howling…less is more…eyes…
Summer Visions
My vision quest is my top priority during the summer of 2020. Will I have 20/20 vision by the end of the summer? Will I pass my OR Driver’s License test without needing glasses? I spend hours a day focusing on breathing, posture, and creating a temple (my body) that is worthy of the God I worship.
Autumn Term I
Fall 2020 – Graduate school begins. I’m becoming a Marriage, Couples, & Family Therapist, while also pursuing the larger truths of my Goddess in regards to the human body/mind/soul connection. My vision quest is ongoing, my breath is deep, I am prepared for whatever Life throws at me.
Winter Revelations
Winter 2020 – Instead of attending grad school, I spent 3 days in Cedar Hills Mental Hospital, worked 5 weeks in the Columbia Warehouse, and spent many days thinking, feeling, and believing I was more dead than alive. God spoke to me of her love and sacrifice, as I stumbled onward toward 20/20 sight
Born Again (for the 3rd time)
2020 belongs to God, it is in the past. Hallelujah! February 2021 started off with a road trip to Mardi Gras, and then back to Montana for a court appearance. All the while, shrugging my shoulders, grinning and bearing with it all, trying to see a little more clearly, admitting I know very little…
Loyal, Proud, & True
A whirlwind of crying, moving, & learning: living in 3 places during winter & spring, working at Zoo MT, and searching for balance in my personal trinity (body/mind/soul). What will the summer 2021 bring???
Autumnal Patience
Fall 2021 – Such a summer of memories as I worked at ZooMT and tried to slow down my life. I still haven’t quite mastered slowing down, which is why Fall’s playlist continues the theme of patience.