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Coldplay and MockingJay

(Minor spoiler alert, but I won't reveal much detail)

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the latest Hunger Games movie with my daughter this week. Of course, as a nervous snacker, I always eat way too much popcorn, and find myself in desperate need of Excedrin, Alka-Seltzer and a massage afterwards...the price of being drawn in!

I can't help being enthralled by the courage and tenacity of Katniss--though she struggled with emotions, her ultimate decision was always to stay true to her values, even in the face of death. It is easy to draw parallels to our own situations. Though the threats are less extreme, we can easily identify with the fear, loneliness and loss that come with the sacrifices of leadership.

At the time, I was particularly moved by the scene where Katniss and her comrades are sitting next to a beautiful river, splitting rations and enjoying the peaceful scene. While the Mockingjays whistled through the lush cavern, her friends asked her to sing--in a way she couldn't refuse. She acquiesced, and in those few moments, in an oasis of green and sweet song, in the middle of a war-torn district, they found a collective comfort in the music and the moment was truly beautiful, refreshing the soul, calming the mind, and energizing the body. Later, it was this song that became the anthem to ignite the rebels as they rose up against the Capitol. Music can be so powerful!

This morning, perusing my iTunes library, I found and played a song by Coldplay that wound up in my list years ago at time when I was "in the trenches" of a cubicle wasteland. A young co-worker and I shared some musical tastes (mine are extremely eclectic) and, one particularly challenging day, when President Snow--um, I mean, the boss--was out, we were playing music aloud in that corner of the office to pass the time a little easier through a brutal deadline.

"Do you have 'The Scientist???'" asked Samantha, wheeling back her chair so that she could see me across the aisle.  Now, Samantha was adorable, just finishing college, still fresh, eager and optimistic. When I looked at her that day, I saw in her bright expression all the excitement and anticipation of a little girl asking if Santa had brought her a pony. She asked me for a song, in a way, like Katniss, I could not refuse. So, I purchased it, played it---over and over again, as I recall--and we forged through the rest of our respective projects that day---Sam, almost bouncing in her chair, cheered and invigorated by her favorite song, and I, refreshed and deeply tranquilized by the sense of her pure bliss.

Music is powerful, but what is more powerful is taking time to connect with the women who are down in the trenches with you.  There are moments we miss--every day--that could be calming or invigorating, alternately, as we need it...if only we would take the effort to notice when someone needs something from us. They won't always ask out loud--usually, it's up to us to see our chance to cheer, comfort, or distract them into a happier state of mind.  Today, look for that moment to lead, instead of follow, to give, instead of getting, to turn the tide, instead of going with the flow. Look for a chance to give your song.

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of loveand good works.
--Hebrews 10:24


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