Say What You Need to Say

I was driving to the store this morning when the song by John Mayer, Say What You Need to Say, came on the radio. I’ve heard the song before and never paid much attention to it, but today was different. I was listening to the world around me. At first I thought, “how redundant” and as I continued listening I pictured all the people this song was inspiring and I thought, “brilliant lyrics, simple but profound!”

I was still singing the song softly as I walked into the grocery and greeted an older woman dressed in pink. I thought to myself, “My she looks pretty!” and the lyrics spoke to my heart, “Say what you need to say.” So I spoke up and told her how pretty she looked in pink this morning. Her face brightened and we had a genuine moment of connection. It felt so yummy! Reminding me how easy it is to use my words to encourage others. We were both examining the oranges and I saw her struggling to find the perfect orange to fill her sack. The lyrics played softly in my head, “Say what you need to say.” So I shared my knowledge of picking the perfect citrus by looking for the heavier pieces that indicate a juicy piece of fruit. She was pleased with her new found knowledge and I was reminded that life has gifted me with knowledge and wisdom and I am expected to share it freely with others, and that holding back my wisdom is being selfish.

When I arrived home I heard from a friend in the midst of a challenging divorce and she was questioning me how she was going to move out of her house without stress, with her soon to be ex-husband still at home. The song lyrics still fresh in my memory spoke loudly “Say what you need to say”, and gave me an answer. I reminded her that her thoughts about this situation where overwhelming her with fear and causing the anxiousness she was feeling. I suggested she replace the negative self talk and say, “In a relaxed and easy manner and with God’s Divine Grace I peacefully move into my new home.” She asked me to repeat it again so she could write it down. The words were like balm to her troubled heart, reminding me that the way we talk about a situation will not only effect our moods but our outcome.

A few hours later I was meeting with a friend and she was editing some of my work and made a comment about my poetic writing and it threw water on my flame. As I was driving home the lyrics came to my rescue, “say what you need to say” and I immediately smiled at myself for allowing doubt to enter my heart and stated with great fervor for the Universe to hear, “I am an original and I am following my heart and it is stirred by a noble theme. My pen has been anointed with grace and I will ride forth victorious for God has blessed me forever!” (Psalm 45:1) amen, amen and amen!!! (a big happy sigh!) My smile broadened as I said what I needed to say to calm my fears and put me back in the flow of grace. Thank you John Mayer for inspiring me today by saying what you need to say!

~Colleen Laukka