Road trips are not just about getting to the final destination. They’re about enjoying the journey along the way. Similarly, life is not just about reaching goals but also about enjoying the process of getting there. Sometimes, we can become so fixated on achieving our objectives that we forget to enjoy the journey, the small moments, and the people around us.
Stage 3: Enjoy The Journey
As a family, we like to take road trips and make the journey just as enjoyable as the destination. So, we intentionally look for things to keep us busy and happy whilst on the road. Especially when our little ones were, well, little, we knew that a long car ride could quickly turn into a disaster if we didn’t have some tricks up our sleeves. So we played all the classic car games like “I Spy” and “Twenty Questions,” but let’s be real, even those get old after a while. We needed to get creative and find new ways to kill time or risk becoming the next victims of the “Are We NearlyThere Yet?” syndrome.
That’s when we turned the music on. Music truly has the power to change the entire mood of a car ride, and there’s nothing quite like cruising down the highway with the whole family belting out the lyrics to our favorite songs. Thankfully, we all have similar tastes in music (no fighting over the aux cord here), and we tend to stick to upbeat, happy tunes to keep our spirits high. You could say that music has become our trusty sidekick on all of our road trip adventures.
Our Travel Playlist
Our playlist will always include the following songs or artists:
- “Great Heart”, “African Sky Blue,” and “Woza Friday” by the great Johnny Clegg with Juluka and Savuka. No trip is complete without a song or ten from this South African legend.
- “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey. Not only does this song play at every party, but it’s also got a great message about always believing in yourself. Not to mention that iconic keyboard section …
- “Viva La Vida,” “Hymn For The Weekend,” and “A Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay. Ah, Coldplay – the band that has the power to turn any car ride into a full-blown concert. Coldplay’s music is meant to be experienced, not just heard – so we turn up the volume and let the music take us away!
- “Somebody to Love” and “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen. You can’t help but join in and belt these songs out. Don’t Stop Me Now” is a total jam – a high-energy anthem that’s perfect for getting pumped up and feeling invincible. The lyrics are all about living life to the fullest and not letting anything get in your way. From the opening piano riff to the infectious chorus, everything about this song is designed to get you moving and feeling good.
- “Don’t Stop” and “Go Your Own Way” and others by Fleetwood Mac. Fleetwood Mac definitely mastered the art of infectious guitar riffs and catchy choruses.
- “Jireh” by Maverick City. As Christians, we enjoy a whole lot of Christian Contemporary Music too. “Jireh” is a powerful and uplifting song by Maverick City that features Chandler Moore, Naomi Raine, and their choir. The song is named after the Hebrew word “Jireh,” which means “The Lord Will Provide.” The lyrics express the group’s trust in God’s provision and faithfulness, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. It’s a song of joy, and we sing this song loudly and proudly too.
- Anything by ABBA! No comment is needed.
- “Beautiful Day” by U2. Its upbeat tempo, uplifting lyrics, and catchy chorus, together with a positive message of hope and renewal, make this an ideal soundtrack for hitting the open road and exploring new horizons.
There are, of course, other songs we can add, but these songs do it for us.
Life Is To Be Enjoyed
In all of living, have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.
Gordon B. Hinckley
Road trips can remind us to appreciate the present moment and enjoy the journey of life. Just as we savor the songs we love on a road trip, we can learn to appreciate the people and experiences we encounter in our daily lives. We can learn to be more present, more grateful, and more mindful of the joys and beauty that surround us.
Furthermore, we can find inspiration in the lyrics of our favorite songs and use them to motivate ourselves to keep pushing forward.
A playlist can also remind us of the power of connection and community. Music has a way of bringing people together, and when we sing along with our friends and family on a road trip, we feel a sense of unity and belonging. In life, too, we can learn to connect with others and build strong relationships by sharing our passions and interests. Whether it’s through music, art, sports, or any other activity, we can find common ground with others and build a sense of shared purpose and camaraderie.
Everyone deserves a playlist that serves as a reminder of all the wonderful aspects of life. It doesn’t matter if your music preference leans towards rock or classical, don’t hesitate to explore songs that evoke deep emotions within you. Life is fleeting, so why not make the most of it by listening to the very best music that resonates with you?
Live life to the full. Enjoy the journey.
