Try Again by Aaliyah

It's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you without a dope beat to step to.

SONGS THAT HELP BY SOUL MOTIVATION RECORDS

I have always loved this song.  Mainly because it's just a dope song with a dope Timbaland beat.  But as I grow older and wiser, I've been looking more at the message in the songs I like.  This is a great, classic message.  If at first you don't succeed, brush yourself off and try again.  Yes, this song is talking about a relationship because, you know, all popular songs have to talk about love.  But the hook and the message is still clear and can be applied to whatever you are trying to achieve.  Success takes hard work.  Everybody fails.  But the people who win are the ones who never give up.  So if you ever have a day where you are thinking about giving up, just hit play and listen.

Dust yourself off and try again.

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How To Find True Joy

Name your vice.  We all have at least one.  And while some are cute and innocent, others create a huge burden and destroy lives.  And most vices keep us from experiencing true joy.  They steal it away and leave us feeling empty and drained.  There is only one way to find our way back to feeling true joy.

You get to a certain point in life where you have to weigh what's really important.  You need to take good care of yourself but at the same time not torture yourself.  You need to have little things you can look forward to throughout your day.  Some of these can be good for us like going for a walk, talking to a friend, reading a good book, etc.  But sometimes our little things can be unhealthy choices like smoking cigarettes, drinking to excess, or overeating.  All of which I have personally struggled with.  The "joy" that we get from these unhealthy vices is not real joy.  It's temporary comfort and it will only get us so far and then leave us with nothing.

When we spend all your time and energy focusing on these temporary comforts, they become our only source of happiness.  We've all experienced those days where all we want to do is have a cigarette or a drink or a Big Mac and it will make everything better.  We become so obsessed with obtaining our little comfort that we start to ignore all the things that could actually give us true joy.  What's worse, is these little vices usually steal away our energy to pursue the things that would bring us true joy.  For example, the things in my life that bring me true joy are achieving goals, getting in shape, spending time with family and friends and creating music.  When I sit at home and eat pizza and ice cream all day, this temporary comfort steals away my energy and motivation to do anything else.  I feel bloated, lethargic and gross.  Now, instead of pursuing those things that would bring me real joy, I only have the energy to watch Netflix and go to bed.

The real joy comes when we conquer our addictions and achieve our goals.  It comes from changing our bad behaviors and embracing new ones that will guide us to victory.  Losing 20 pounds, that's true joy.  Spending time with people who love you, that's true joy.  Pursuing your dream job, that's true joy.  I know when I start to feel miserable it's because I am spending all my energy on temporary comforts and I don't have enough things in my life that are feeding me real joy.

I know change is hard.  And breaking bad habits takes time.  But while you are working on that, make sure you have lots of "joy givers" in your life every day.  Go outside.  Go for a walk  See more sunsets and sunrises.  Go to more movies.  Go to more concerts and Broadway shows.  Get involved in community events.  Get a dog.  And give money to everyone who asks.  Give more.  Love more.  And go achieve your goals.  That’s where we find true joy.  And eventually, you will be so busy with these true joy giving activities, that you will eventually not have any time or energy left for the ones that steal it away.  And I don't know about you, but that would make me pretty darn happy!

Rainbow Connection by Kermit The Frog

Sometimes you just need to listen to a hopeful frog sing about rainbows.

SONGS THAT HELP BY SOUL MOTIVATION RECORDS

Rainbow Connection.  It's a classic song that we all know but I think we often forget about how great of a song it is.  It's cute and funny to watch Kermit The Frog sing, but if you really listen to the song, it has a great message and a beautiful melody.  This is a song I keep coming back to time and time again.  And although it seems like a song for kids, the older I get, the more I appreciate it.  Over the years there have been many great artists who have recorded it, but nothing beats the original.

Someday we'll find it.  The rainbow connection.

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Human Beat Vol. 1 Is Here!

It's here!  Our second 10 Song Music Bed Pack titled Human Beat Vol. 1!

Human Beat Vol. 1 is a digital pack of 10 music beds using hip-hop style beat production along with melodies and harmonies that evoke in us all the emotions that make us human. This collection comes with an unlimited, non-exclusive license agreement. What does that mean? It means you can use these songs on your next video, podcast episode, or anything else you want and you can use it as much, as often and as long as you want! No limitations! 

Click here to buy your copy now!

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Meet Bar Napoli: A Theme Song Success Story

Bar Napoli is one of the premier nightclubs in St. Louis!  And now they have their own custom-made theme song that matches the atmosphere and the clientele perfectly!  Every Friday and Saturday night, you are sure to hear the DJ's spin the song "Napoli" - a crowd favorite! 

Everybody's favorite bartender Han!

Bar Napoli was established in 2003 as an addition to Cafe Napoli by sons Ande and Kye Pietoso. Starting out as a place for their friends to gather, it quickly became the neighborhood hangout. Since then, Bar Napoli has become a staple in the night scene where people from all over come to hang out.  With great drinks and great atmosphere, it has become known as THE place to see and be seen.  Looking around the room at Bar Napoli is like looking at a whos-who of St. Louis movers and shakers! 

Bar owner Kye Pietoso approached Soul Motivation Records stating "I think Bar Napoli needs its own song!"  And he was right.  After giving a few details that he wanted to be included in the song, we went to work.  The result was a song called, what else, "Napoli."  It's a dancehall, hip-hop inspired jam that has been packing the dance floor at Napoli ever since!  Every weekend night, the DJs play "Napoli" as the first song of the night and also as the closer at the end of the night.  Patrons began hitting the dance floor just because they liked the groove.  But after hearing it a few times, they began to understand that "this song is about Bar Napoli!  The place we are at right now!"

Take a listen:  Just hit the play button ===>

The people have really been responding as Bar Napoli has now been getting a reputation as "That place that has its own dance song!"

A custom-made theme song has really set Napoli apart from the crowd.  It's created a lot of excitement as well as creating a stronger emotional bond with its customers.  Music has a way of touching us on a deeper level.  When you combine that with a great brand like Bar Napoli, you have a winning combination that will keep the people coming through the door!

If you think a custom-made theme song might be something you could use for your business, just click here and tell us what kind of song we can make for you!  You can also feel free to email us at cs@soulmotivationrecords.com for more information!

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Quicklook Preview: Human Beat Vol. 1

Human Beat Vol. 1 is our second 10 Song Music Bed Pack and its coming out March 1, 2018!  10 tracks using hip-hop style beat production along with melodies and harmonies that evoke all the emotions that make us human!  Simple, one-time licensing and these songs are yours to use forever!  Royalty free.  No renewal fees.  No limitations.

What is a music bed?

A music bed, simply put, is a song.  It is typically an instrumental song, meaning no vocals.  Its sole purpose is to add ambiance or emotion to a video, a podcast episode, a video game, or wherever someone may have a need for background music.  A good music bed will add just the right amount of flavor without taking the attention away from the main event.

Who uses music beds?

Music beds are a must for anyone creating any type of media content.  Videographers, photographers, video game developers, YouTube creators, Instagram influencers, motivational speakers, and the list goes on and on.

What do the tracks on Human Beat Vol. 1 sound like?

The tracks on Human Beat Vol. 1 were produced in a hip-hop production style.  What does this mean?  It means the focus is on the beat.  Every track has a groove to it.  On top of these head-bobbing beats, are melodies and harmonies that bring out certain emotions in us.  Some are pretty, some are romantic, some are fun and full of energy.  But don't take our word for it, take a listen for yourself to these samples!

Ok, so how does this work?

It couldn't be more simple to purchase and license Human Beat Vol. 1!  Upon its release on March 1, 2018, all you have to do is purchase Human Beat Vol. 1 from our online store for $99.  We then email you a very simple licensing contract.  The contract states that you have full use of all 10 music beds.  That means you can use them in any way you see fit.  No limitations.  You can use them in one YouTube video or you can use them in a national ad campaign.  Go nuts!  The music beds are yours to use as you want.  And they are yours to use forever.  You will never have to pay a renewal fee.  Just sign the contract (you can do it electronically with about 3 mouse clicks) and email it back to us and you are all set!

I can't wait for you to get your hands on these unique music beds!  And I can't wait to see how you use the songs in your next project!  So get ready for Human Beat Vol. 1 - coming March 1, 2018!

P.S. What do you think of the samples?  Be sure to let us know in the comments!

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5 Things To Look For When Licensing Music

Finding just the right music for your next YouTube video or podcast episode can be a super confusing undertaking.  From figuring out where to find the music to how the licensing works, it takes a lot of time and energy away from what you would probably rather be doing - working on your video or podcast!  I want to help make this process a little easier for you so I came up with 5 main things you want to look for when you are searching for music to license.

1.  Royalty Free

Make sure the music you license is royalty free.  What does this mean?  I wrote a blog post about it and you can read it here.  Basically, it means that you pay a licensing fee up front so that you don't have to pay royalties to the artists or songwriter every time someone plays your video and their song is played.  Most licensing websites are going to offer royalty free music, but it's something you need to double check before you purchase the use of a song.

2.  Simple Licensing

Music licensing can get super confusing.  Some licensing websites give you multiple options pending on how much you are going to use the song.  Sometimes it is hard to know this up front and so it's hard to know which option to choose.  Some sites make you renew your license every few years.  It is a lot of fine print to read through.  The best option is to go through a site that offers super, simple licensing that you can understand.  Ideally, you want to pay one time up front and that's it.

3.  Unique Music

Have you ever been watching a YouTube video and noticed you have heard lots of other YouTubers use the exact same music?  This happens all the time because most video creators use the same sites with the same songs.  If you want to stand out from the crowd, make sure you use a licensing site that offers unique music options that not everyone is using.

4.  No Credit Necessary

A lot of licensing sites will require you to credit the music somewhere in your video.  You will need to mention it at some point or at least put a credit in text at the end of your video.  This may not be a big deal for some, but your video time is valuable.  You shouldn't have to clutter or confuse things by adding a credit for the music.  The best licensing agreement will not require you to post any credits on your video.

5.  100% Satisfaction Guarantee

Any music licensing site worth anything will offer you a satisfaction guarantee.  This is just good business and something you should look for in any product or service you buy, especially online.  Whoever is providing you with music, should be confident enough in their work to offer you a 100% satisfaction guarantee.  And if they don't, be very cautious.  Many times this is a sign of a shady business.

So there you go - 5 things to look for when licensing music.  I hope this helps.  The biggest thing to remember is to be careful and do your homework.  Make sure you understand any licensing deal you are entering.  If you have any other questions about music licensing, feel free to leave a comment below.  I am always happy to help.  Happy musical hunting!

P.S.  Where do you find a licensing site that adheres to these standards?  Click Here!

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What Does "Royalty Free" Music Mean?

"Royalty free music" seems to be the buzz word these days for anyone who has ever tried to make a YouTube video or even other kinds of media creations.  I mean, a YouTube video is a million times better with a little music in the background, right?  But you can't just use any music you want.  If you just use your favorite song off the radio, the YouTube police will be on you like a moth to a flame.  That's why you need music that you can use in your videos and keep the YTP at bay.  That's why you need royalty free music.

Now, "royalty free" does not mean "free of charge."  It means that you don't have to pay royalties to the artist or songwriters every time their song is played like most TV and radio stations have to do.  What you do have to do, is pay up front for a license to use the music.  Once you pay an agreed upon licensing fee, you now have the right to use the song in your video and no one is going to get mad at you or come asking for money.

Imagine going through the following scenario with your next Facebook Live video.  You prepare your material and make sure you know what you are going to talk about.  You have your favorite song cued up the play in the background to give it some ambiance.  Then you do the video and it goes great.  You say everything the way you want to say it.  There are a bunch of people leaving comments and liking your video.  You are killing it!  But when you go to post the video permanently on your profile page, Facebook not only doesn't allow you to post it, but they delete the whole thing because you didn't have the right to use the music!  All your hard work is gone.  All the perfect words you said are gone.  You have to do the whole thing over again and this time without the music.  That has happened to people I know and as you can imagine, it is incredibly frustrating.  The solution is buying a license to use someone's music royalty free.

But where do you get this royalty free music, you ask?

There are a number of websites out there now that license music.    My personal favorite, however, is Soul Motivation Records!  Ok, yes, I own the company. :)  But we are doing some really cool things with music licensing that will help you keep your costs down while making amazing videos!

At Soul Motivation Records, we offer Music Bed Packs that are royalty free and give you 10 unique songs of varying styles to use in your upcoming videos.  You pay a one time fee up front of $99 and then you can use all 10 songs as much as you want with no limitations and no renewals fees.  Pretty cool, huh?

I hope this answers your questions about how royalty free music works.  I know it's kind of confusing, but the main thing to remember is if you want to use music in your videos, be sure to be proactive and find a good royalty free solution.  It will save you a lot of money and headaches down the road.  If you are still confused, feel free to reach out anytime.  I am happy to help you navigate these confusing waters in any way I can.

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Top 10 Positive Rappers

I love hip-hop.  The music.  The culture.  It has been such a big part of my life since I was a kid.  I don't know if you are like me, but I have grown really tired of hip-hop being painted in such a negative light all the time.  So many people don't understand the music.  It's incredibly frustrating.  

I know a big part of the problem is that so much popular hip-hop music is focused on money, drugs, violence, and strippers.  And although all those subjects may have their place in hip-hop, I'm tired of these things always being the focus.  Music should lift us up.  Encourage us.  Not continue to take us down a dead end path of self-destruction.

The good news is there are a lot of rap artists making positive music.  I am here to tell you that positivity is alive and well in rap music today.  And to get you started on your journey into the positive side of rap, here are my top 10 favorite positive rappers along with a few key tracks to check out ASAP!

**NOTE:   Most of these songs have clean lyrics, but some of them have explicit lyrics.  It's my belief that a song can be positive and empowering while still having cuss words in it.  In my own music, my goal is to keep it clean, but that is not every artists priority.  I have marked the artists that use explicit lyrics so you can skip those if explicit lyrics offend you.

#10
SHAD

Key Tracks:  Rose Garden, Keep Shining, I Get Down

#9
PROPAGANDA

Key Tracks:  I Ain't Gave Up On You Yet, Daywalkers, Excellent

#8
TRIP LEE

Key Tracks:  Manolo, Clouds, Too Cold

#7
BROTHER ALI

**WARNING:  Explicit Lyrics**

Key Tracks:  Truth Is, Own Light, Forest Whitaker

#6
ANDY MINEO

Key Tracks:  You Can't Stop Me, Uncomfortable, KIDZ

#5
NF

Key Tracks:  Let You Down, Wake Up, Therapy Session

#4
K'NAAN

**WARNING:  Explicit Lyrics**

Key Tracks:  Immigrants, Dreamer, I Come Prepared

#3
CHANCE THE RAPPER

**WARNING:  Explicit Lyrics**

Key Tracks:  No Problem, Blessings, Juice

#2
COMMON

**WARNING:  Explicit Lyrics**

Key Tracks:  The Light, Glory, GO!

#1
LECRAE

Key Tracks:  Blessings, I'll Find You, Can't Stop Me Now

What do you think of the list?  Who are some of your favorite positive rappers?  Let me know in the comments!

#soultimecheckin 2.14.18 - Music Bed Packs

Hey did you know we made music beds at Soul Motivation Records?  We actually sell Music Bed Packs.  These are packs of 10 original, unique music beds that you can use in any of your video or other media productions.  Plus our licensing is super simple! 

You can listen to samples of the tracks from each of our Music Bed Packs on our website.  If you like what you hear, you can purchase all 10 music beds for only $99!  Once you do, you have full access to all ten songs.  You can use them as much or as little as you want.  There is no need to ever renew.  They are yours forever!

Hit the button below to check out all the Music Bed Packs we have available!

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This Is Me from The Greatest Showman

Oh man.

SONGS THAT HELP BY SOUL MOTIVATION RECORDS

Have you seen it yet?  I'm sure it will go down as one of the greatest movies of 2018.  It's The Greatest Showman and it is definitely great!  Inspiring, hopeful, beautiful, funny, really entertaining, this movie does not disappoint.  And today's Song That Helps is the standout track from that soundtrack "This Is Me."  This song is the epitome of what a great song can be.  Musically dynamic with great production and powerhouse vocals on top.  All screaming a message of being proud of who you are and that everyone deserves success.  I mean, how great is that?  Have you left to go see the movie yet?!  Well, if not, take a listen to the song first!

Look out 'cause here I come.  This is me.

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The City Jazz Sessions Podcast

Got a chance to hang with some cool cats on the City Jazz Sessions Podcast.  We walk music, motivation and even play a couple tunes live!  Click below to check out the Facebook Live video!

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Knowing. Feeling. Doing

There is an invisible line.  It's a really big line.  Ok, it's more like a chasm that we must crossover to achieve greatness.  Not just greatness, but peace and joy.  It's a barrier.  A wall that keeps us from feeling the joy and success that we deserve.  I am talking about the great divide between knowing and feeling.

How many times have you found yourself in this situation?  You want to lose a few pounds.  It is no mystery how to do it.  We all know what to do.  Cut back on calories and increase your activity.  Stop drinking soda and start drinking more water.  It is not rocket science.  Ok, so we know what we need to do.  All we need to do now is do it.  That's the easy part, right?  Fast forward a month, and you are still right where you started because you can't get yourself to do the things you know you need to do.  What is that?  What is stopping you from doing what you need to do?

The Great Divide

There is a huge gap between what we know and what we feel.  The knowing is the easy part.  We can learn anything.  Just pick up a book, turn on your computer or ask a friend and you can learn anything you want.  Need to know the best way to take down your Christmas lights?  YouTube has a video for that.  But YouTube can't come over to your house and make you do it.  That is the first problem that creates The Great Divide:  a lack of accountability.  We love telling other people what to do, but we have a harder time listening to ourselves.  And when there is no one else around to keep us accountable, we can do whatever we want.  Or not do whatever we want.  But if we want to achieve greatness, if we want to achieve true joy, then we have to start keeping ourselves accountable.  Just as a friend would check in with you from time to time, you need to check in with yourself.  Is there anything you are letting slip by in your life?  It's time to keep yourself in check.

The second problem that creates The Great Divide is excuses.  We love to come up with reasons that our life is unfair.  We love to come up with facts and statistics that back up our claim that we just can't do something.  "I would really love to lose 30 lbs, but my whole family is overweight.  I just can't do it."  Ever heard yourself say that one before?  The truth is there is almost nothing we can't achieve with time and effort (maybe short of flying on our own or not paying our taxes).  Anything we tell ourselves to the contrary is a lie.  It's an excuse we use to let ourselves off the hook.  "If I believe I can't do something, then it's not my fault and I can stop trying and go back to eating cookies."  The answer to this one is simple:  stop making excuses.

The final problem that creates The Great Divide is a lack of commitment.  We say we want to do things all the time, but we never truly commit ourselves to it.  How many times have you seen a movie and you were inspired to do something great.  "I am going to go skydiving next week!"  But then by the time you leave the movie theater and get to your car, you've totally forgotten about your big goal.  This happens to all of us.  The thing that separates the doers from the wanna-doers, is commitment.  Those who make a promise to themselves and to those around them, tend to actually follow through.  And I'm talking big commitment here.  Set a specific goal and write it down.  Then make a specific plan of action and write it down.  Then do it!  Work your plan and follow through.  Hold tight to your commitment.  Make that commitment mean something.  Make it clear to the world and to yourself that when you say you are going to do something, you do it.  It doesn't matter how many times you failed.  It doesn't matter how many times you started and you gave up.  This time is different.  Because you have a goal, a plan and a commitment to yourself that you will not break. 

This chasm called The Great Divide has taken so many out and has killed so many dreams.  Don't let it do the same to you.  You have the knowledge you need.  Now is the time to cross over that big gap from knowing to feeling.  By keeping yourself accountable, not making any more excuses and making a real commitment to yourself and to the world, you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.  And as you start to accomplish your goals, that is when you will start feeling it.  Once you start seeing success, your emotional side will start to take hold and your journey across The Great Divide will be complete!  Just remember to enjoy the other side once you get there.

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#soultimecheckin 2.7.18 - The Power Of A Mastermind

You don't have to go it alone.  Surround yourself with awesome people who can help you along the way.  It has been a game changer for me.  I think it would be for you too!

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Dreamer by K'NAAN

It's ok to feel good!

SONGS THAT HELP BY SOUL MOTIVATION RECORDS

There is power in hip-hop.  This song uses that power to remind us "it's ok to feel good."  I'm not sure if you know who K'NAAN is, but he is an amazing rapper/songwriter who grew up in Somalia, one of the harshest places in the world!  Yet growing up in the chaos over there, seeing awful things every day, he still chose to pursue his dreams.  To not give up and make excuses, but to find his way out of the chaos into the success of a career in music.  He is such a great example of what you can accomplish if you choose positivity every day, get up and get to work.  No matter where you are from, you were created to succeed!

So fight through the chaos.  Dream big dreams.  And go make them true.

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Can Hip-hop Be Positive?

When I use the term "positive hip-hop," I get some funny looks.  First of all, there are the hip-hop haters who still believe nothing good can come from hip-hop.  These are the people who heard a 2 Live Crew song in the 90's and think that that song represents everything that rap is.  And as much as 2 Live Crew has its place in the rap history books, hip-hop is so much more than "Me So Horny" and those of us who are real fans, know that.  But I also get funny looks from hip-hop heads when I use the term "positive hip-hop."  I think a lot of the heads think that hip-hop can't say anything meaningful if it's positive.  Like putting the term "positive" on something makes it corny and therefore meaningless. 

Can you be positive and still keep it real?

Hip-hop began as a way to get the party started.  It was music that was used to put us in a good mood.  That's why a lot of old-school hip-hop is so corny.  It was just a bunch of dudes (and, yes, a few girls too) having fun, partying, trying to out-do each other with words as they began to figure this new style of music out.  It was a good time.  One might even say it was "positive."  But then that style became cheesy.  It wasn't cool enough anymore and hip-hop had to fight back to remain relevant.  Hip-hop had to grow up and be cool again.  Hip-hop had to get real.  And it did.  This music told us stories that some of us lived every day and some of us couldn't believe were true.  Hip-hop showed the world what was really going on.  All the violence.  All the injustice.  All the ugly.  Hip-hop turned on the spotlight and pointed it right at the things we didn't want to think about.  It made us face it.  It made us deal with it.  It made us talk about it.

Hip-hop had to tell these stories.  Music needs to be real.  Music needs to speak to our hearts and minds and so hip-hop can't just be a party all the time.  It needs to have all of its voices heard.  But somewhere along the way, we forgot that hip-hop can still be a positive force.  It can show us the problems, but it can also show us the solutions.

The music we love should not just be lost in a sea of frustration and anger.  It should not just be a tool to exploit our sins and give us an excuse to give up.  There is so much power in music and we can't forget to use that power for good too.  HIp-hop can show the world the way to freedom.  It can open up our minds and create a dialogue between all people.  It can be used to remind us of all the amazing things that happen in this world every day.  It can show us the possibility in our lives.  That's why hip-hop needs a positive voice.  We shouldn't look down on "positive hip-hop" as being a subpar form of music.  It should be lifted up as a hopeful resource that can bring the changes into our world that we really need. 

Hip-hop can save the world.

There is a place for all voices to be heard in the world of music.  If you are a hip-hop hater, take a second to remember the millions of people this music speaks to daily.  You don't have to like it, but you have to respect it and believe it is a crucial instrument of hope for a lot of people.  If you are a hip-hop head who thinks all positive music is corny, remember, the world is a harsh place.  And even if you don't feel like you need it today, the day will come that you will need a positive voice in your life.  And that voice would best be delivered through the music you love.  You don't have to like it, but you have to respect it.  Because somewhere right now positive hip-hop is changing someone's life, and it may just change yours someday too. 

#soultimecheckin 1.31.18 - Guilty Pleasure Songs

We all have them.  Those guilty pleasure songs we love but we think are too cheesy to admit we love them.  We think we will never hear the end of it if our friends find out we like Katy Perry.  Well, fear no more.  I say embrace your guilty pleasure songs.  Be proud of them.  Because sometimes it is a simple, "cheesy" song that has the simple message that we need to hear.  Guilty pleasure songs have their place, have their purpose, and shape our lives just as much as Led Zepplin or whatever it is you have ordained as "cool."  Music is music.  Love what you love cuz "baby you're a firework!"

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Try by Pink

OK, it's time for another guilty pleasure song....

SONGS THAT HELP BY SOUL MOTIVATION RECORDS

Some people love pop music.  Some people think it is all cheesy and elementary.  I am somewhere in the middle but I definitely think simple pop songs have their place in the world.  As a matter of fact, sometimes it is the simple pop songs that speak the most truth into our lives.  Sometimes it is that simple song with simple words that you need to hear right at a certain moment.  This is one of those songs for me.  Sometimes we just need to hear Pink tell us to "get up and try."

Where there is desire, there is going to be a flame.  Where there is a flame someone's bound to get burned.  But just because it burns doesn't mean you're going to die.  You gotta get up and try and try and try.

Pink is a wise woman.

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How To Get Out Of A Rut

I have been struggling lately.  I have been feeling frustrated, annoyed and agitated.  I feel like all the joy has been sucked out of my life.  Don't get me wrong, I know that I have an amazing life.  I am truly blessed with so many great relationships as well as opportunities, both personal and business.  I get a lot of satisfaction from the work I do with Soul Motivation Records.  But some of the other things in my life have become such a chore devoid of any real reward.  I feel like I am stuck in a rut.  Stuck in a cycle that I can't get out of.  Things I use to love have become things that I "have" to do instead of things that I "get" to do.  What happened?  What changed?  When did everyday life become so mundane?  I've been thinking a lot about this as well as confiding in a few close friends, and I have widdled the problem down to two things I need more of in my life.

Balance

I am a workaholic and I definitely have an obsessive personality.  When I get focused on something, I spend all of my time on that thing.  And that's not always bad.  That is how I became an accomplished musician.  It took years of obsession, sitting at a piano, listening to a song over and over again, and learning it note by note.  Or hours and hours of listening to great piano players and then figuring out how to play what they played.  This same drive then turned into an obsession with Soul Motivation Records.  I am on a mission to reach the world with a  message of positivity and possibility.  I want my business to thrive as well as to help other people thrive.  It is my new obsession and I love it.  It takes extreme focus to develop any skill, so I'm thankful that I have this quality.

But the bad part about obsession is we tend to focus all of our energy on one thing and let a whole lot of other things lack.  We become unbalanced and not very well-rounded human beings.  By focusing on music and business, I have let some other very important parts of my life get away from me.  Mainly my physical health, my spiritual health, and my social life.  I have not been spending enough time exercising or getting outside.  I have not been going to church or having enough spiritual conversations with people.  I have not been doing anything just for fun.  I can't tell you the last time I even went out and saw a movie.  And I have so many amazing people in my life that I just don't spend enough time with.  This is a big part of the reason I have been so frustrated lately.  My life is out of balance and the only way to fix that is to be sure to pay attention to the things that are lacking and make it a point to improve in these areas.  According to Zig Ziglar's "Wheel Of Life," there are the seven areas of life we all need to be focusing on.  Take a look at these seven areas and ask yourself if you truly putting enough time into all seven.

Career
Financial
Spiritual
Physical
Intellectual
Family
Social

Change

When we start to feel agitated and frustrated, this is often a sign that we need to make a change in our life.  And I'm talking big change.  Leap of faith change.  Sink the ship change.  I think we all get to a point in our lives where things get stagnant and we know we cannot continue on the same path.  And the angst and frustration is God's way, or our mind's way, of telling us it is time to change.  We can fight it as long as we want, but that nagging feeling will never leave until we finally make a change. 

Change is hard.  As much as we need it sometimes, we spend our whole life fighting it.  It is way easier to continue to go to a job that you hate, then it is to go into your boss's office and quit, gather up your things, say goodbye to everyone, go home and explain what you did to your family, start searching for another job, write your resume, go to interviews, etc.  The change part just sounds like so much work so we make excuses to let ourselves off the hook like "Oh my job isn't that bad," or "Nobody would ever hire me anyway."  With the help of our excuses, we just accept our fate and continue down our miserable path.  But what a waste of a life.  If you feel the pull to make a change, you owe it to yourself and the world to see it through!  Yes, change is hard, but amazing things await on the other side.  You truly can be happy.  You can have joy in your life.  You can have a job that makes you feel fulfilled.  Not only CAN you have these things but you DESERVE these things.  So don't run from change, embrace it.  Dream about the life you want to live and then make the changes necessary to make your dreams a reality.

You don't have to just accept that life is unfair and we are meant to be miserable.  This is a lie that you or possibly those around you are telling you.  If you are feeling frustrated or agitated, there is a reason.  And I'd be willing to bet it is one of these two things.  Take a serious look at your life.  Do you have balance in your life?  Is there something you really need to change but have been avoiding?  Now is the time to face these things.  That is exactly what I am doing and I am seeing hope.  There are some big changes on the horizon for me.  It is time to find some balance and to call up the courage to make some big decisions in my life.  It may get a little crazy but I am ready.  And I will keep you posted on all the changes as they come.  I know there is a way out of this frustrating rut I have been in.  And that is truly exciting!  Come join me and let's break out of this rut together.  Amazing things await us both!

#soultimecheckin 1.24.18 - Custom Made Music

Just a quick hello from Soul Motivation Studios as I work on a custom made song for a client.  If you are interested in custom made music for your business or as a gift to someone special, contact me at:  chris@soulmotivationrecords.com or see our "Licensing" page for more info!

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