Be careful—watch out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart.Stand firm when he attacks. Trust the Lord; and remember that other Christians all around the world are going through these sufferings too.
After you have suffered a little while, our God, who is full of kindness through Christ, will give you his eternal glory. He personally will come and pick you up, and set you firmly in place, and make you stronger than ever. (1 Peter 5:8-10 TLB)
Influence is the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.
The Power of Influence
The power of influence lives in your words.
We have the ability to build someone up or tear someone down with our words.
Our words carry power and may live long beyond the moment that they are said.
Other people can either accept or reject our words – regardless if they are true or not.
Sometimes people say words over us that we accept as true when they are false.
We become what we believe.
The words we say over ourselves have the same influence – to build us up, or tear us down.
I have heard it said that the brain takes the shape of what it rests upon. They call this plasticity in psychology. It means you get to choose what you believe and that choice changes the functioning of your brain and the relationships between you and yourself and you and the world. Remember the story of the Eagle who was caught in the hen house? (Read it here: The Eagle and the Chickens)
I had a recent experience that really opened up my eyes to how our words have influence. Sometimes I go listen to live music at the local coffee shops and stuff. Not only here, but other places too. And this time I just listened – to the words of the singers and watched the crowd’s reaction to their songs.
Some songs were just downright depressing. Can I tell you I used to do that? When I first started playing out I did all my ‘dark’ songs. Ugggh. I can’t believe I did that. I think I just wanted to get it out and get on with it. No wonder the crowd was speechless afterwards. Forgive me for being so selfish.
Other songs that the musicians sang were positive and had the crowd smiling and singing along. And I finally got it. It’s not about our songs – it’s about their song – their story. As songwriters we should help them to remember something and then minister to them right there. Music Ministers bringing health and healing and song – now that’s what I want to sing about. I am not going to leave them sitting in the pain. From now on, I will use my words to minister to them and bring light into their darkness. Enough about my darkness, I don’t live there anymore. Be the Light.
I am learning a few cover songs to play out and about now. There is something about getting the audience to laugh and sing a long. It’s like I’m not the only one who ever felt that way or did that thing. And I am changing the ‘tone’ of my songs to a positive outcome. Enough whining and crying – no more tears in my beer!
I think it’s time to write a power anthem girls rock song, lol!
For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9 AMP)
As many of you know, I am also a musician and many of my poems eventually find their way into a song. This past few days God has impressed on me to stop writing and singing about all the bad things I went through and start writing and singing about the good things – like love. I have to laugh. Seriously, I am on marriage #4 and this is it for me. I have found true love. The kind you read about in fairy tales, and in the Bible. And truthfully, neither one of us ever want to go through a divorce again – ever. We’ll either work it out or shoot each other, but were going up and down together! Thank God Jesus is in the boat!
I have a lot of bad relationships. Maybe you have too. So. Write about the good huh? The girl who got dumped, cheated on, lied to, left, abused…writing a love song? God cracks me up sometimes. Ok, here we go…
One of the classes I went to at a Music Workshop taught us about Song Writing. The Teacher was an actual English Teacher who has a pretty big following in the Singer/Songwriter scene. But I had to review my English class. She spoke about metaphors. I kind of forgot what that was. Her simple answer was something that represents something else. For example. You could pick a dress. You could write a happy song about a wedding dress, or a sad song about a black dress, or a tear jerker about finding someone else’s dress, etc. People will take the object you sing about and transfer their feelings to the object. Then you have a song that appeals to many people at the same time. For example I have written about Shoelaces, Garbage bags, Cold Tile Floors, Street signs, etc.
Ok, back to the ideas. She said to pick an object. Now write down a bunch of words that describe that object. For me, today I chose the ocean. I also used words like waves – tidal – Etc. And also use expressive adjectives. Then the fun part. Pick something opposite or unrelated. I picked flame, and connect them. I used love.
Osmosis was the name of the song my friend wants lyrics too. I had to look that word up again too, lol! Funny how much you forget!
OSMOSIS
1.BIOLOGY-CHEMISTRY
a process by which molecules of a solvent tend to pass through a semipermeable membrane from a less concentrated solution into a more concentrated one, thus equalizing the concentrations on each side of the membrane.
Or
2.the process of gradual or unconscious assimilation of ideas, knowledge, etc.
Now as far as rhyming schemes and syllable count, that varies depending in who you talk to. I went with a simple A-A-B-A for the verses. The chorus and bridge can be different. Some people start with lyrics, some with music, some with melody lines. I’m a word girl so I started with lyrics. Actually, I wrote this to go to a friends tune.
So, here’s a rough idea of a love song I wrote today. This is just a first cut. I always have to be open to change when I do this. (And no t, I haven’t matched my syllables yet, lol! T is an amazing songwriter too)
Picture yourself and your beloved at the ocean. A bit of a change for me – very out of the box. (For you Bob!)
Ocean (Photo credit: ouistitis)
Osmosis
Copyright 2014 Diana Rasmussen
Love in motion
Tidal emotions
Heartbeat pulses
Rythmic oceans
Increase the concentration
Excitement can’t contain
Passion permeates
It’s flowing through our veins
Come a little closer
We’re going over
Beloved Wave
Osmosis flame
Yep. I am calling all Singers. Do you need a music track? Are you looking for a Composer? Someone who will treat your music with the love and respect it deserves? Today I am promoting one of my friends from Broadjam, Peter Olach. He is an accomplished musician and composer with many more gifts. And he is a friend in need. I was bragging on all of you this weekend. Yep, I told him I have met the most wonderful community of compassionate and caring people here at WordPress. I would not be where I am today without all of your encouraging words, blogs, comments, and conversations.
Peter has begun his own media company called PGO Media Services. He also makes videos with music if you are looking for a special gift or remembrance video. Here is one he did for Diane McAdam called “Hold On”
PGO Media Services is offering fully produced and mastered song beds for lyricists, singers and songwriters. The first offering includes a baker’s dozen collection of fully mastered contemporary Country song beds. Our Competitive Pricing begins @ $200. And, if you’re looking for a vocalist to complete your song, we can help you locate the perfect male or female vocalist.
And here is why Peter needs our help today. I asked him to share a few words about his struggle. We all have struggles. We all need each other.
There are angels amongst us. You can find them washing dishes and folding laundry while tending to a family meal. They might be volunteers at the local soup kitchen or a teacher’s aide at your local school. Perhaps they sing in the choir or teach a Bible class before Sunday Service. Most important, and no matter the distance or time, they are your neighbor, your friend, family member, possibly mentor and quite often a caregiver. And, they do all this to the best of their ability and life’s station, with little fail.
WHY? Because it is their God Given Nature. A living gift from Him to us. They are the earth-bound angels who are given the desire to reach out and remind us: Help is there when we truly need; but only if we ask and are willing to seek that Blessing.
My challenge is not unlike yours and thousands of others. Yet my dear friend and earthly neighbor (perhaps angel), Diana, responded with honest concern, kindness and a suggestion for healing, “share a story or what you feel comfortable sharing about your struggle.”
Diana I am not comfortable with reaching out like this yet I do struggle. I, like too many, struggle with just the basic needs for health and shelter. My calamity is so small in comparison to so many others. I am seeking to raise $2000 in the next few weeks to normalize my life, to pay what I owe for services provided by others. And, to post a small surplus of $500 savings against “future surprises” whether health or finance.
To that end I am selling my work assets. Studio microphones and one mastering headset have already been sold and applied. I will post my guitar on Ebay and Craigslist this coming morning to further the cause. I have some memorabilia that a friend will photograph so I can add that to the generation of dollars.
I do this because I have a hiatal hernia combined with acid reflux and gastritis. On the upside; no, I am not dying, (at least not anytime soon.) The endoscopy procedure and biopsy sample showed that in due time I will continue to heal. No cancer, no ulcers, nor infections. God made me a tough old bird.
Downside – the meds, (while they work their prescribed miracles) make proximity to the bathroom an absolute must. So far, no employer wants to grant me bathroom breaks every 15 to 30 minutes. And, music continues to be my trusty companion. With 40 years of love and experience as my guide, I recently produced a series of music beds for singer/songwriters to make their own. The project is called PGO Media Services. So, far I have sold three song beds including mixing and “final” mastering services. Diana has offered to embed a link that might afford you a listen to the remaining twelve music beds in this series.
I welcome your comments and participation. In closing, I am reminded of a secular appraisal of where musicians fit in the “Plan”. From the work of Kahil Gibran, this one explanation has always warmed my heart.
“God respects me when I work. And, He loves me when I sing.”
God Bless and thank you, Diana, for allowing me to express myself.
~ Peter G. Olach of PGO Media Services
Here are the Music Tracks Peter has for sale. Get yours today!
