Music, Memories, Motivation

Posted on by Victoria

I had a fantastic dream two nights ago – so much so that it’s turned into a post. 😉 Almost an auto-pilot-post.  I can usually discern the trigger for a dream that’s detailed – so detailed that it sparkles with definition.  No cloudy images or subtlety. This particular dream? I can see the connecting threads and it started in a spin class…

I’ve been having trouble with my right heel.  The podiatrist pronounced it a ‘pump bump’, otherwise known as Haglund’s Deformity.  You can search for images if you’re curious…I’m not gonna snip one in here.  It’s basically a big stodgy outcropping on my heel.  Just enough to make shoes uncomfortable, whilst tweaking the Achilles tendon.  For the girl who’s enjoyed her slow jogs for years, running – at any pace – became an injurious act. 

Sigh. I’ve been mourning my morning meditation of intense exercise as I lamented my dumb heel, trying as I might to figure out how to run anyway.  The outcome? For about five months I was more landlocked than ever because trying to run made a tricky Haglund’s bump even more troublesome. I gave in/gave up and began exploring alternatives to work up a good sweat.

Now? I spin. I got a bike…I like the classes on demand and one instructor in particular suits me.  I think it’s because she tosses in a few (which is key) self-help mantra-ish ‘bon mots’ into the class but more than that, I like her choice of music.

I’ve learned after sampling a few classes that I spin/bike/groove more…and complain less (meaning I actually finish each class) if the music is drawn from my youth.  I figured I’d dig the 70’s theme classes most of all, but it turns out the 60’s rewinds…playlists with songs that I remember as a tot…are my spin cycle jam.

Still with me? For years, I’ve recommended to clients the well-regarded advice to find music that’s mood lifting.  Studies show that tunes from our childhood…bordering on teenager years…can be potent pockets of sunshine, also known as “reminiscence bumps” by researchers.  Not to be confused with my aforementioned ‘pump bump’. 😉

Maybe that’s why the 60’s tunes are so blissful to me?  I’m not going to dissect that too much, but the point of this ramble is the joy I felt when the Mamas and the Papas tune “California Dreamin” came up in my spin class.  I’d forgotten how much I loved the song and my delight in the music kept me moving…injecting me with some resolve and resilience to keep pushing when I really wanted to unclip and tap out.  I didn’t quit, thanks to the fabulous (and forgotten) flute solo, courtesy of jazz musician Bud Shank. 

Here comes the fun about the dream I mentioned. That night, I had a vivid dream about our dear friend Elizabeth Wickham who shared recently, in a beautiful post, that she’s picked up the flute again.  In our latest HoTM podcast, Elizabeth shares wonderful examples of the creative life she lives – including her return to her beloved flute.  Maybe all of that was percolating while I slept?  I’m not sure, but in my lovely dream – Wynne and I were listening to “California Dreamin” with Elizabeth as the solo flautist.  Just the three of us sitting outside under a starlight sky as Elizabeth played.  Beautifully.  And that was it. 

I woke up and my dream recall was crisp and clear, so much so that I needed to shake myself a little to reconnoiter and discern the difference between an actual experience…or a fun subconscious interlude. I’m fairly certain it was a dream, but I’m going to reserve judgment.  Maybe it was a premonition?  I’d be okay with that! For now, I’m more motivated than ever to sweat and spin, especially if magical goodness is a periodic outcome.

Vicki ❤

P.S. Good music might move me – literally – to get to the finish line of an exercise slog, or it might prompt a fun REM-state dream.  I’ll take either – or both – whenever the opportunities arise.  What’s more?  Sometimes a rewind tune will make me smile, remembering a moment long forgotten.  My sweet sister Lisa provided one of those moments recently and I wrote about it this morning on Victoria Ponders.  Thanks for clicking over to check it out.  Lisa’s smiling face is waiting for you to say hello!

34 thoughts on “Music, Memories, Motivation”

  1. Pingback: Loving Lisa: Raindrops & Teardrops – Victoria Ponders

  2. Music just makes everything better. I can be motivated to work out harder and longer if the music is awesome.

    I heard somewhere that listening to music from the year you turned 18 can help keep your mind young. I made a Spotify playlist of songs from 1982, the year I turned 18. I love listening to it in the car and singing along. I don’t know if it’s working, but it sure is fun.

    Have a wonderful Sunday, Vicki.

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    1. Cheers to that. I could’ve everyone a long read of my post and just said that — your words, “Music just makes everything better.” 😎 Yep. And you’re right — I’ve seen research about music being most impactful at a few different ages/stages in our ‘growing up’ and ‘becoming’ years…10 years old…14…18. I figure it’s all good because it speaks to what you offered…music = magic. xo, Michelle — and Happy Sunday to you as well! 🥰

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  3. I love those dreams that are so real that it’s difficult to discern whether they were, in fact, dreams. They send me off into my great “What is reality, really?” questionings and make me aware of a cosmos so profound that it is beyond human understanding. Once in a while, I have no idea whether something actually happened, or if I dreamed it. Uh oh. Reality confusion! How little we know . . .

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    1. Thank you, dear, Julia for sharing that! Me, too, me, too! I’m glad to know I’m not alone and your point — what’s reality, anyhow??? It’s what we make it…right? I’m with you! Dream on, sister friend! xoxo! 🥰

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  4. Yes, it’s what we make it for sure! Have you ever noticed how the “real” world totally disappears when we are asleep and dreaming, and how our nighttime dreams become “real” but totally vanish when we wake up? Daytime dreams and nighttime dreams—both seem so real while we are dreaming them, so I cannot help but wonder—What is reality, really? LOL Keep on keeping your beautiful dreams, Vicki—both the waking and sleeping kind!

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    1. Yes, yes, yes…I love the blurring you described so perfectly, Julia! Thank you for giving me opportunities to wonder. Love that…and for you, dear one, I hope your Sunday is special in every way. xo! 🥰

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  6. My 70’s playlist on Spotify is jammed full for this very reason Vicki! Years ago before I moved to walking outside there was a treadmill in the old walk in closet. Talk about sweating in an airless space, but I loved the music loud and every song was so specific to a memory of my tween, teen and even young adult years!

    What fun to have EA show up in your dream and yes, wouldn’t that be amazing if it was the foreshadowing to a real event 🙂

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    1. Wowza…sweating in a closet. I mean, it was probably an excellent workout…but the music must’ve kept you moving! I bet you’re happy to be outside now, enjoying those potent memories. And yes — it was fun/funny/crazy to have Wynne and Elizabeth pop up together in a silly dream…maybe I was channeling the fun I know you had with Wynne, Mr. D and Miss O? What a delight to meet blogging friends in person. xo, Deb! 🥰

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      1. I wouldn’t have been in there without the music on my little ipod shuffle 😉 Wynne is the second blogger I’ve met IRL so maybe there’s a trend coming on? Wouldn’t that be fun!!

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  7. What an interesting dream (or premonition?!) – it’s so hard to know what to think of those dreams that feel so real, but there really are a gift nonetheless. Happy Sunday, Vicki!

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    1. I know…I love Julia’s thoughts about what’s ‘real’ in ‘real-ity’. However these fun morsels occur, I’ll take them! But yeah…a premonition of good things to come — massive blogging buddy get-togethers? Fun to dream about! 🥰

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  8. One of my spin teachers throws in classic rock. Big fan. The classes are filled with younger kids though, so I don’t always get music I like

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    1. I’m with you, LA…I can handle the current music pretty well and enjoy the variety but there’s something about finding my ‘afterburner’ when a tune from ‘my time’ surfaces. It’s the best…helps me get to the end of class! 😜

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  9. This sentence is wonderful, ” For now, I’m more motivated than ever to sweat and spin, especially if magical goodness is a periodic outcome.” I love that you shared this magical goodness in this beautiful and fun post!

    Let’s call it a premonition!! You spun a beautiful vision – in dreams and in words. Thanks for sharing your workout resilience with us!! XOXO my friend!

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    1. Wow…wow…wow. You “bring it”, EW. I have never heard that quote before. That one packs a punch. I don’t know how you do it…but yes…how perfectly that describes how Lisa’s brain sometimes works. xoxox! 🥰

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    1. I am a terrible, awful runner…more like a sloooooowwww jogger…but not even that at the moment unless this stupid heel thing clears up. And liner notes? I love them! And although I have zero musical talent, I’m a fan of a good solo. Maybe you’ll treat us to a post with a musical gem in it again (yours or one of your featured musicians)? I miss those! 😎😘😎

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      1. Thanks Victoria! 😎 I’m an album cover away from being ready to release some music we’ve been working on. Hopefully we can put it out this summer.
        One thing I learned from other runners is that if you run at all in any way, you’re a runner. 🙂 🏃‍♂️💪🏻😎🤩💚

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