Inside the Song Series #6: We Can Be Magicians!
It was December 2023, and I was going through a dark time. Usually, I turn to art, song or meditation when I need to find my footing again. But this time, the despair felt so heavy that I couldn’t see a way through it. Friends and family were surprised, as I’m often the one helping others find hope and possibility. Yet there I was, driving Highway 140 to the Sierra Nevada foothills. Somewhere along the winding road, a sense of gratitude surfaced. Perhaps it was because I knew I was heading toward a place that might offer solace. Or perhaps it was simply because, in a happier season, I had signed up for something that now felt like a helping hand: a songwriting retreat in nature.
I settled into my room and then brought my guitar and notebook to meet our small group of songwriters and instructors. We gathered in a glorious setting west of Yosemite Valley. The rolling hills were tan, yellow and gold and peppered with pines, cottonwoods and willows. Clear rushing waters from the Merced river flowed through the canyon lifting my spirits. I soon forgot about the tightness in my heart and a budding joy stirred with each writing prompt and steaming hot mug of tea. As I listened to another songwriter share her story, I felt a spark of hope flicker in me, reminding me that creativity could still be a lifeline.
On the second day, our instructor gave us the BIG prompt of the weekend—to write a complete song in three hours. We began by writing one thing in our line of vision on a slip of paper (wood floor, socks, windowpane, etc.) and we each put our words into a bowl. Our instructor then selected one paper from the pile: “And, today’s songwriting topic is… Indian wall tapestry.” We all looked over at the studio wall covered by a grand lavender, purple and gold-stitched wall hanging embedded with tiny sparkly mirrors and intricate designs.
We were told to write stream of consciousness for 15 minutes about this stunning piece of art. As I stared at the tapestry, memories began to surface, transporting me back three decades to bustling markets in India. I reminisced visiting stalls where shopkeepers laid out elegant fabrics and pashminas. “Times up,” our instructor smiled. Then with a wink she said, “Come back in three hours ready to share your finished songs with the group.” A wave of nervous excitement flooded me, my mind raced with possibilities and doubts. Several people groaned.
I love a prompt with a time limit—no putting it aside for another day. But to write a song AND perform it within three hours, that was a big stretch. At the same time, I love that this kind of prompt can help you sidestep your inner critic. You simply must tune out the negative inner chatter and start creating immediately!
With my guitar and journal in hand, I walked down to the river and sat on a sun-warmed granite rock. Bundled in my fleece, I pondered the idea of how that gorgeous Indian wall tapestry came to be. Curious about the tapestry’s origins, I did some research and discovered it all begins with Himalayan goats. With this knowledge, I entered the flow state, tuned out all that had been ailing me, and got to work. Three hours later, a full song emerged, I titled it “Magicians.”
Later, I realized the song I had written was my remedy to heal my own heartache. I had arrived at the workshop carrying a heaviness, but as I wrote and sang about transformation, something shifted in me. The song tells the story of women turning goat fleece into vibrant shawls and tapestries, and in singing it, I found myself doing something similar. Just as they spin rough, tangled wool into something beautiful, soft and warm, I was finding a way to spin darkness into hope and love.
Have a listen to Magicians here:
Listen on Spotify:
Writing prompt for your journal:
Look around the space you are in right now. Make a list of five physical objects. Pick one and free write for 15 minutes…let your imagination take you to new places. Next, go back over your writing and circle words and phrases that you like the sound of…weave those bits into a poem or song. Listen to Magicians for inspiration.