I participated in a meditation group last week where the leader, in guiding participants, asked them to think about this question: What is your song?
That’s not an easy question to understand, but what I think she was getting at is for us to think more deeply about who we are, what is the special music within us, and what are the things we contribute to the world.
She said that our troubled world needs peoples’ songs more than ever to help heal the world and make things better.
I remember reading the poem, ”Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman in which he said:
”I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.”
So, the writing prompt for today is to write a song of yourself, the song that would say who you are and describe your specialness. As Whitman did, write about the things you celebrate in yourself — is it your sense of humor, your seriousness, your concern about other? Is it your ability to keep going on even when things are rough for you?
To help you a little, let me tell you some of the things that go into my own ”song.” When I think of myself, I think back to a little boy who wanted to better understand the world and try to find answers to his many questions. Maybe that is the reason why I ultimately became a journalist and writer of books. My song includes some sad notes that reflect the difficult family situation in which I was raised, but my song also has some beautiful and exciting sounds reflecting the family joy I have experienced with my wife and daughter. My song would also include words about my trying to muster my courage and find strength when I have felt frightened and weak. So, as you can see from my example, there are so many things that go into each of our songs.
Just try to do your best in writing or singing your song. Only you have this song. Please share yours with us.

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