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I enter into each new year with a guidance system of sorts. For the twelve month journey ahead I carry with me a word, a symbol and a song. Those may seem insignificant. After all, wouldn’t a map be better? Not for me. Those three tools lead me onward wonderfully well providing insight, awareness and direction.
My word for 2020 is curiosity. It is already leading me down exciting paths. The key, my symbol, represents how curiosity unlocks doors of adventure and opportunity. And my song “How Far I’ll Go” is from the Disney film, Moana.
Today I’m unpacking my song for the year. I’m sharing how this tune found me and why it is significant to me.
How Far I’ll Go
I first heard this song in 2017 while flying high above the earth. As the plane carried me back to the US from Italy, I tried to lull myself to sleep by watching the Disney film Moana for the first time. I did not sleep. Instead, Moana captivated me with her thirst for adventure and desire to explore the unknown. I liked the song “How Far I’ll Go” so much that I downloaded it on my iPhone.
Have a listen to the song. Does it stir something in you, like it does me?
Choosing a Song for 2020
As I’ve mentioned before, typically my word for the new year comes to me first, then the symbol and finally the song. This year followed that pattern. As the end of the year approached, I felt drawn to two songs: Jack Johnson’s “Upside Down” and Disney’s “How Far I’ll Go”, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
I think I leaned toward Jack’s song for two reasons. The lyrics contained my word, “curiosity”, and it wasn’t a Disney song. I’ve nothing against Disney at all…it’s just that a couple of my previous songs for the year came from their animations.
Those reasons proved not valid and because of my resistance, I came close to missing my true song for 2020. Fortunately, I decided to listen to both songs before declaring one the winner. I like “Upside Down”, from the Curious George film. It’s catchy and it’s about curiosity.
However, when I listened to “How Far I’ll Go” I immediately responded to it. My heart rate increased and tears filled my eyes. Those are strong indicators that I’ve learned to pay attention to. Once more I listened to both songs, with the same results. “How Far I’ll Go” is my song for this Year of Curiosity.
Unpacking My Song for the Year
That song inspires me…and here’s why.
In the movie, Moana is an island girl, the daughter of the tribe’s king. She’s in training as the next ruler. Moana wants to please her father and be the perfect daughter. Surely stepping into her role on the island is enough to create the life she longs for. Or is it?
For as long as she can remember, the ocean has called to her. A sense of adventure overflows her heart and soul, creating an intense desire to set sail and see where her curiosity takes her.
I’ve carried a similar longing all of my life. Moana’s familial duties initially kept her island bound. My fears waged war with my desires.
The words from the song that make my heart beat faster are these:
“See the line where the sky meets the sea? It calls me. And no one knows how far it goes. If the wind in my sail on the sea stays behind me, one day I’ll know. If I go there’s just no telling how far I’ll go.”
And these words brought the tears:
“See the light as it shines on the sea? It’s blinding. But no one knows, how deep it goes. And it seems like it’s calling out to me, ‘so come find me…'”.
So Come Find Me
As a child, I often heard my name called. That’s not an uncommon childhood experience, except the calling to me came when no one else was around. From a young age, I climbed to the tops of trees and onto the roof of my house, seeking solitude. In those moments of aloneness and reflection, the voice called my name.
No matter how much I searched for the source, I never found one. The voice seemed distant and yet right there next to my ear. I couldn’t even tell if the voice was masculine or feminine, but it knew my name and it called to me.
I’ve heard that calling throughout my life.
In 2016 my song for the year was “Just Around the River Bend”, from another Disney film, Pocahontas. A line in that song moved me as well:
“Should I choose the smoothest course, steady as the beating drum? Is all my dreaming at an end? Or do you still wait for me, Dream Giver, just around the river bend?”
Those dreams that are just around the river bend, that line where the sky meets the sea…they call to me. They whisper my name and say, “So come find me…”
I’ve slain my fears. Nothing binds me. My heart is whole and free, my spirit untethered.
My song for the year reminds me that an adventure calls to me. With the “wind” of courage and hope and anticipation filling my sails, I am discovering just how far I can go.
“Are you brave enough to leave the safety of the shore and set sail?” asks the Dream Giver.
“Yes,” I answer, “yes I am. Going beyond…this is what I am created for.”
“So….come find me.”
“I am on my way. Keep calling to me…”
I am a Dreamer t-shirt from Solgave Clothing
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