Desert Songs
This Lent, @musicandmission introduced a 40 day songwriting “challenge” (I know that’s not the right word for this, but I don’t know what else to say). Basically, for each day of Lent you come up with at least one line of a song and share it with a designated group of two other people for the entirety of Lent.
If I’m honest, I saw the post about this challenge, remember thinking it was really cool, and automatically deciding I wouldn’t be able to commit to 40 days of songwriting. I could go on about different reasons why I’ve been reluctant to write songs, but I think the biggest two are 1) I’m lazy/lack motivation and 2) To me, songwriting requires introspection and willingness to learn - whether that be from the world around me, life events, God, whatever. And sitting with my thoughts can be intimidating, and is sometimes easier to just avoid.
It wasn’t until I last minute got asked to fill the final spot in a group that I just decided to attempt it. I came in already with the mindset that I wouldn’t be able to do all 40 days, and I was right (maybe I should’ve thought more optimistically and things would have been different). Update I just checked, and counted that I did 13/40 of the days - LOL. Regardless of all the missed days, I learned a lot from my experience.
The main things I’ve learned/strengthened
I can create incomplete work that I am proud of. I’m a pretty impatient person, and I also like to complete requirements. Generally my personal requirements want to be to complete whatever I’m working on as soon as possible - get a full draft and then refine. But this challenge and its one line minimum got me more comfortable with celebrating that any attempt is progress. It gave me more confidence in my ability to create, and a healthier outlook towards songwriting.
I shouldn’t be afraid to sit with myself or in prayer more. While this seems obvious, I promise it’s a lot harder when I’m sitting on my couch with my pen and paper in silence. Despite any anxiety or impatience before/during, there is a certain catharsis towards getting my thoughts down on paper in a way that can be consumed by others more easily than just paragraphs (like this - oops).
Collaboration is important, and it takes many forms. In the past, I thought collaboration meant a direct working together with someone - a fusion of ideas. But it can also just mean sharing snippets with each other, and affirming each other in our own progress (shoutout to Bella and Jonessa if you’re reading this!!)
In a few weeks, I hope to have one full song down below this text. For now, you’ll have to deal with a few of my fave snippets. I am trying to figure out the chords, but I’m lazy/slow at doing that so for now just deal with acapella - I’ve had this post on hold for two weeks to force myself to figure out the chords but I just have to make do for now and publish this!
Feb 24 - No Title
I try to be better but it's never enough
Oh and I know I'm the only thing in my own way
And You see me and love me in spite of it all
And that's something I may never understand
It's not broken, but the wall is cracking slowly
And you know that, so you come and patch it all up
Kitsungi a cup
You make the broken whole
You make the mess beautiful
March 16 - No Title
Find me in the morning light
Find me in the rain
Find me in the constant hum of a heart that's longing
I've always been, just seek to find me
I'll always be, I'll never leave, I walk beside you