song: ride your wave
- Jan 11, 2024
- 4 min read
let's keep on going, first song of the new year, and it happened to be a bit too timely
i've been riding my wave of sickness and losing my voice over the holidays
which meant I had doubts about being able to sing for this week
or sing properly, or do the song justice, sing my best, sing my optimal, etc etc.
the list kind of goes on.
I was scared that I would be unable to sing, and was thinking of alternatives.
Luckily, I was easing into practice and warm-ups this week, that I managed to regain enough of my voice to sing this song and really like my first take.
It was a ride though, I literally lost my voice to the point where I couldn't project nor speak, I was wheezing, it was literally my storm of the past two weeks.
Which is where this song comes in mind, ride your wave is about i guess, simply put, riding the waves of life that come at you, knowing that although you cannot control what is happening around you, you can control how and what is happening within you, how you are reacting.
Riding your wave can be as simple as acknowledging, noticing and seeing
for myself as example, I'm sick. I can't be pushing myself too hard
I want to be able to sing, how can I ease myself into singing
what kinds of things can I do so I don't feel pressured to be at the optimal of singing, and that however I show up in the recording, is more than enough
I did two takes, and now I'm having slight coughing fits while typing this out. So I'm assuming I'm not fully 100%. Halls has been my best friend for the past 3 weeks now.
Anyways, as I write these reflections, I actually loop the video on repeat. So, I really reflect on the lyrics and whether or not, anything else pops up in my feelings or thoughts.
This song was written by a lakeside in 2020. And as I recall the context of this time, this was post a year of health crises, a lot of food poisoning, a case of IBS, and navigating some nerve issues. I'm definitely better than before, just navigating through some physiotherapy and finding my flow for movement, energy and balance.
I just honestly really like this song. This song is rather simple, yet it moves in a way that goes from, being scared alone, being courageous with someone, and being courageous and proud alone and capable.
The coolest thing I noted when looking back and singing the lyrics is that for every ride ____ wave, it alternates possessive pronouns,
ride your wave
ride my wave
ride our waves
ride this wave
ride my wave
And honestly, how many times have I said honestly already. Haha
I am just very touched because this song validates a lot for me, like the journey I've had, been having and it will not always be clear waves but i know I can ride my wave
The opening chorus, is really a... like jab? a sarcastic jab or reference to how people just say ride it out, go with the wave, when things feel very big for you, and you don't want to be minimized in your experience. And at the same time, we acknowledge that this is all we have, and that where I'm at, it may not be the best.
Learning how to navigate low periods, or stressful storms, and asking for help, realizing that you might need a rescue line and that's okay. Yeah, I just really like this song, even though it is a mixture of hope and adversity, it honestly feels like triumph in its own way.
Perhaps, a song of strength, a song of seeing it through? A song of journey...
A song of perseverance, a song of resilience, trying again, belief. It's definitely a mixture and I think this is one of my more upbeat songs too, that has a little more variety and uses silence in between to really accentuate the lyrics. It's just catchy, or maybe I'm the only one vibing to it in its simple yet fun melody. I didn't get to perform it exactly as it was written due to not having full access to my falsetto and projection. Still very happy with how I rode my wave of sickness and got trough.
so my honest hope is that for anyone riding their waves, and they're a little hectic, that they settle, that you find the best way to navigate, that you reach out for a line, that you feel well-equipped and supported to ride your wave, to believe in yourself, to know you are capable, to know that every wave will descend, we will find calmer waters,
so in honour of riding our waves (whatever size it may be), I invite you to take a moment and reflect: when you feel like you've capsized (fallen off your boat, things starting to get out of control),
what are ways you can reach out for a line,
what are those things that can help you afloat? (even if they're the little things, or the big things)
Feel free to copy this prompt down on a piece of paper, sticky note, journal, or just ponder on it :)
Treat it as things that can help you out, things that you can do when things feel a little side ways, like a floaty noodle? floaty tube, or a duckie, whatever your imagination thinks,
a life jacket even if needed
MY ANSWER
i think with capsizing, at the time of the song, I considered it to be like bigger slumps, I don't think I've capsized in a while, to that low. to manage myself though, and maintain my balance, the flow, reaching for a line or things that help me afloat are - journaling whatever my thoughts are, to really say hey we're doing alot, and I've been feeling this way - my heating pad (some of you might know, this is my one chronic pain like comfort) - steeped tea or bubble tea haha, a little treat ya know - going to the lakeside and journaling
-stretching and movement -cleaning and organizing myself -massages I feel like I have a pretty good system and flow to maintain myself now, I definitely don't feel the apathy and numbness I used to have, and the need to be stuck in the past yet unsure of what is now. I've definitely learned how to ride my wave and still am :)
alrighty, beautiful, I just love the ending lyric, cause I know I will ride my wave
You are capable and I believe in you <3
next week, I will be sharing another creative prompt to feel where I'll take the reflection prompt and make a little art or journaling exercise out of it, that you could try yourself too!
I have done creative journaling prompts for all 4 posted songs, so check them out below or on the blog homepage ~ the posts start with feel:
this space is open for you to share what you thought and felt from the song or this reflection <3
if you have reached this far, thank you so much for reading and holding a space with me.
Take care always,
MAP2
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