Music for My Moods

"Music is a moral law. It gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, gaiety and life to everything. It is the essence of order, and leads to all that is good and just and beautiful."

Plato

Yaass, Plato, Yaass! These are my sentiments exactly.

Music evokes emotions in us in a way that no other art form does. Well, at least it does for me. Music helps me connect to the human condition, to empathize. It's also a way in which I communicate my feelings when I don't have the words myself. I used to tell my ex-husband, "If you ever want to know how I'm feeling, just listen to the words of the music I'm playing."

It makes sense that as a writer my passion for words set to a melody would be so intense. My love for and appreciation of music came from my mother. My mom, Geraldine, listened to every genre of music you could imagine. It wasn't uncommon to start a listening session with R&B, move into jazz, and finish off with rock.

In that way, my mom and I are a lot alike. We're also alike because she too used music to express her feelings. I always knew what mood she was in based on the song she was playing. I have my signature songs also.

1. Let It Flow - Toni Braxton Confirmation that letting go was the right thing to do

2. Best Part - H.E.R. feat. Daniel Caesar Hope for love again

3. Landslide - Fleetwood Mac A reminder that everything changes

4. Great Is Thy Faithfulness God loves me so much!

5. It Is Well With My Soul No matter what happens, God is control and I'll be just fine

6. Bruised But Not Broken - Joss Stone It may hurt now, but I'll be okay

7. For All We Know - Donny Hathaway Live and love in the moment

8. Forever, for Always, for Love - Lalah Hathaway If I had a second chance with him

9. Lollipop - Lil' Wayne & Static Major When I'm feeling extra sexy

10. Sal a Bailar - Victor Manuelle I just want to dance!

11. Wake Up Alone - Amy Winehouse When I'm feeling a little lonely