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| Link to my new Imagine Dragon's fav song "Bleeding Out" |
(their hit song "Radioactive" was featured on the
soundtrack
of the film "The Host"). I loved the band's sound,
and my
husband bought me the album, Night Visions, the next day.
In researching them online, I discovered their lead singer-
Dan Reynolds-has struggled with depression and anxiety his
entire life. This struck me as intriguing due to a quote I heard from
Flagstaff-native author Mary Sojourner a few years back: "I wonder how
many women and men who have been labeled depressives are artists starving for
their work."
In 2 different interviews, Reynolds shared:
“It’s an ongoing battle for me; I don’t think anyone who
struggles with it can ever kick it fully. I don’t want it to be some sob story.
It’s just dealing with life, and life isn’t always unicorns and green
fields," and "For some people, it's in their blood to be happy.
Other people have to work for it...it's definitely something I struggle
with." But he added, " Music has been my way out; it's the light at
the end of the tunnel. That's why I chose to pursue it."
He also shared:
"I always leaned more toward the creative side...I’m
probably an overly emotional person and write from an
emotional place. At the end of the day, I hope to leave a
message that betters (a listener's) life in some way
rather than detracts from it, and that it uplifts them. Or,
a darker, sad song that they connect with so they don’t feel so alone.”
I really related to his comments and have found myself in a
similar place of needing and wanting to create to
deal with what's going on in myself, in my life, and to help
others. In essence, I've been experiencing an ache to create.
I think we depressives could learn from Reynolds' experience
and enjoy more fulfillment, joy, and success in
our lives if we too listened to our hearts and pursued our
dreams with more faith in ourselves and our abilities...if we stop letting fear
be our guide and let faith in God and ourselves move us forward.
"I was too afraid of my heart being broken if my dreams
didn't come true," Reynolds shared, "so I never said anything (about
his musical desires). I tried to do the best I could with what I had; what
would come, would
come. So to be here now (performing to sold-out audiences)
it's a crazy thing."
Check out more of his story at: www.imaginedragonssmusic.com
Today's Goal: Create! Use my emotional energy-positive or
negative-to create something to help myself and
others.
