Creating Our Soundtrack

Immediately when I got into my electric blue 1974 Plymouth Duster after my last final exam of my first semester in college, I put a Jackson Browne cassette into the tape player. I was exhausted--depleted both physically and mentally. The journey home necessitated me hearing Running on Empty.

The night before Briana took her SAT, I meticulously put a Doors CD into the audio player of my car. I designed it such that when I started up the engine on the morning of her exam, Briana would be inspired to hear Jim Morrison croon Keep your eyes on the road and your hand upon the wheel.

And the other day as I watched the pope on television in his helicopter flying away from the Vatican to Castel Gondolfo, I could not help but wonder What was on his ipod—what songs did he chose to listen to on his flight?

I have no doubt that his playlist began with The Eagles’ song Desperado-- then Take it Easy; and finally Already Gone.

Because either consciously or subconsciously, we all use lyrics and melodies as the soundtrack of our lives.

Songs alter our disposition; they uplift or affirm our repose; they often inspire or spark courage.

Every time we chose or reject a song we are writing our own personal musical.

And what I remember most about my 45 minute drive home from college on that December day in 1978 was that I do not remember it at all. It was one of those rare times spent behind the wheel where you remember getting in the car, and you remember pulling into the driveway, but you remember nothing in between.

I was completely on autopilot.

Somehow Jackson Browne looked out on the road rushing under my wheels and guided me home--just as Jim Morrison let Briana roll during her SATs, and The Eagles encouraged the pope to sing his victory song. Because so often times it happens that we live our lives in chains and we never even know we have the key.