I’m doing this for our friend “Reality Doug”. He seems to be quite angry all the time. That’s no way to live! I think Doug just needs a hug! And some uplifting music for the soul.

“The Prayer” by Celine Dion Featuring Andrea Bocelli

We all need a little guidance to be the kindest version of ourselves. Praying for the strength to see the best in people and to be guided by the light is sometimes necessary. The church-like music and lyrics are profoundly moving.

“I pray you’ll be our eyes
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don’t know
Let this be our prayer
When we lose our way”

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“Thank You” by Johnny Reid

One of the nicest things you can ever do for someone is to simply say “Thank You“. King Solomon said, “A joyful heart is good medicine.” This incredibly moving song reflects the life of a couple lived to it’s fullest. Her husband has recently passed away and the video shows her reflecting the special moments of their life together. Every one of us are headed towards this kind of reflection. The thank you is for the life lived together, and for being there for each other. It’s both gracious and powerful. You might need a tissue.

“Thank you for the life you’ve given me.
Thank you for sharin’ all your love and your peace.
Thank you, for every tear of happiness I’ve cried”

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“Humble and Kind” by Tim McGraw

Indeed, this is a miserable crappy world we live in right now. But, it’s not ALL misery and crap! McGraw’s lyrics remind us about the beauty in gentleness and giving. How we treat each other lasts a lifetime. It’s the one aspect of life over which we have control. The song reminds us that we can choose to be nice people. When they lower our bodies in the grave, we’ll be remembered in large part by how we made others feel.

“Hold the door say please say thank you
Don’t steal, don’t cheat, and don’t lie
I know you got mountains to climb but
Always stay humble and kind
When those dreams you’re dreamin’ come to you
When the work you put in is realized
Let yourself feel the pride but
Always stay humble and kind”

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“Somebody’s Daughter” by Tenille Townes

Townes said — “I hope it inspires people to notice others around them, and to think about how much a wave and a smile can really mean to somebody”.

True story. When I exited the convenience store this morning I was “greeted” by an old guy in really ratty clothes asking me if I could give him fifty cents. I just looked at him, and he quickly added, “or even a quarter“. I looked at him because my first thought was (honestly) — “This was someone’s son.” And I wondered what his dreams were when he was just a boy … if he ever imagined he would be begging for a quarter when he was an old man. After my purchase I did indeed have about sixty cents in my pocket, and a $5 dollar bill. I gave him the five … and he kept saying “God bless you man, God bless you!“. Huh!! A (probably) homeless guy asking God to bless ME(!!), I thought on the way home. And it almost made me cry that I wasn’t more thankful for God’s blessings in my own life … that I focus so much on the crap, instead.

Anyway …. this song serves as a reminder that we all matter. The lost soul featured in the video was ‘Somebody’s Daughter‘ … and it could be anyone you know.

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“Bet she was somebody’s best friend laughing
Back when she was somebody’s sister
Countin’ change at the lemonade stand
Probably somebody’s high school first kiss
Dancin’ in a gym where the kids all talk about someday plans
Now this light’ll turn green and I’ll hand her a couple dollars
Oh, and I’ll wonder how she felt when no one caught her
She’s somebody’s daughter”

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“Anyway” by Martina McBride

This song is based on a wonderful short poem Paradoxical Commandments written by Kent M. Keith in 1968. Mother Theresa kept a copy of this somewhat famous poem on the wall of her children’s orphanage in India until the day she passed. The powerful lyrics remind us of what kindness and goodness truly means. It’s might not be between “us” and ‘them’ but, rather ….. between ourselves and our higher power.

“You can love someone with all your heart
For all the right reasons
In a moment they can choose to walk away
Love ’em anyway”

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“One Voice” by Billy Gilman

The words of child sing to heaven asking for help down here on earth. The kindness of this song is the hopeful prayer of a youngster recognizing the way things ought to be, but are not yet. Never lose hope. Little Billy Gilman reminds us that through darkness there is light.

“We need some help
Down here on earth
A thousand prayers, a million words
But one voice was heard”

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“Try a Little Kindness” by Glen Campbell

I close this out with the great and awesome Glen Campbell, RIP. This simple song is a Forever Song … one that will resonate forever. It doesn’t matter which generation hears this song, the message will always apply. Hey, if you see someone who needs a helping hand, or a shoulder, we should just try a little kindness!! The smallest gestures are often the most remembered. The Apostle Paul wrote — “And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another ...” — a message as relevant today, perhaps even more so, as it was 2,000 years ago.

“You got to try a little kindness, yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness, then you’ll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets”

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BONUS VIDEO for The Music Mafia.

Hey guys, you might want to include this child prodigy for this Sunday’s selection. Brigitte Xie, of Ridgefield, Conn. became the youngest person ever to win a prestigious international music competition — earning her a performance spot at Carnegie Hall. SHE IS JUST THREE YEARS OLD!! She started playing just one year ago … to pass time while stuck mostly inside during the Corona lock down. Unbelievable.

https://youtu.be/rV7raoa7FWU