Follow your heart. Your mind will thank you later.: Hope Return

I LOVE music. I LOVED making and receiving mixed tapes and now even with all of the technology out there I still enjoy making a mixed CD(some of my techie friends laugh at me for this).

Hope Return or Return Hope (Got Barrack?) is a mixed CD I put together to help my emotional fragility deal with the sadness in the world. Over the last few weeks there have been heart wrenching tragedies (massive school shooting, suicides, murderers) take place. I don't kid myself and understand there are plenty of random acts of unspeakable cruelty happening all of the time. I tried to compile a series of songs that combat that cruelty and return hope to my heart. This mix explores: innocence, beauty and those mystical moments when time dissolves, death (it's only a matter of time for each of us), and finally hope returning through realization.

We are all in the same boat called LIFE. Why not be kind? A little LOVE and kindness can go a long way! I hope you enjoy the mix :)

“My God, a moment of bliss. Why, isn't that enough for a whole lifetime?” Dostoevsky

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

Hope Return or Return Hope

Old Pine – Ben Howard

“Memories are the best thing you will ever have...free as the birds that fly with weightless souls….so happy hearted….” HNW Commentary: God this entire song is just beautiful.

Wildflowers – Tom Petty

“ …Far away from your trouble and worry …you belong somewhere you feel free”

Old Dirt Hill – Dave Matthews

“I hear scream and shout out loud of innocence..days when all we did would never end..that’s just a kid..that’s what I miss…”

That Summer Feeling – Jonathan Richman
“When there are things to do not because you gotta…When you run for love not because you oughta ..When you trust your friends with no reason notta…The joy I've named shall not be tamed”

And it Stoned Me – Van Morrison

“On the way back home we sang a song…But our throats were getting dry..Then we saw the man from across the road..With the sunshine in his eyes”

The Indie Queens are Waiting-Dan Mangan

“because my days are numbered too”

Bridge Over Troubled Water –Simon and Garfunkel (Cover by Johnny Cash and Fiona Apple)

“I will ease your mind”

Through my Prayers – Avett Brothers

“If you have love in your heart let it show why you can…now I understand but now my only chance to talk to you is through my prayers…“I only wanted to tell you I cared….”

Who by Fire – Leonard Cohen

“Who by very slow decay…and who shall I say is calling..”

Naked as We Came – Iron and Wine

“One will spread our ashes around the yard”

I Will Follow you into the Dark – Death Cab for Cutie

“There is nothing to cry about. ..We will hold each other soon”

Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.) – Monsters of Folk

“Dear God I know you have you reasons…I know I am thinking aloud… but if your love is still around why do we suffer?”

Only if For a Night – Florence + Machine

“And although I was burning..You're the only light…Only if for a night.”

If I had a Boat – James Vincent McMorrow

“Once I had a dream, it died long before…Now I'm pointed north, hoping for the shore”

One Red Thread – Blind Pilot

“I had to say there was a mile or two…I had the itch to fly so I flew”

Sounds like Hallelujah – The Head and the Heart

“For the first time singing Hallelujah..”

Simple Song – Shins

“I know that things can really get rough, When you go in alone. Don't go thinking you gotta be tough,And bleed like a stone.Could be there's nothing else in our lives so critical, As this little home.”