This installment of Songs That Saved My Life is dedicated to those moments where you are redefining yourself and need an anthem playing as you emerge from your cacoon. Change is sometimes difficult for yourself and others to digest however if you feel that a change is necessary, I personally believe that you have to move forward. Committing to a change no matter how small or drastic takes a certain amount of commitment and bravery. As you go through that journey you may feel alone at times, and that is normal. Sometimes the time away from the influence of society is exactly what you need in order to process your decision. Here are the songs that helped me to survive change.

Brand New Me - Alicia Keys Listen Here | Girl On Fire [2012]

One of the largest obstacles of making a change (especially one that in unpopular) is blocking out the opinions of those who do not agree with you,do not support you, and do not understand your vision. Often times these can be the people that mean the most to us.  As painful as it may feel to separate yourself from the negative or opposing voices, in order for you to get where you need to be, you have to take charge of your transformation. And once you make the change, they may not be in love with the brand new you. That's ok, just sing this to yourself...

Notable Lyrics:

I don't need your opinion
I'm not waiting for your okay
I'll never be perfect, but at least now I'm brave
Now, my heart is open
And I can finally breathe
Don't be mad, it's just the brand new kind of free
That ain't bad, I found a brand new kind of me
Don't be mad, it's just a brand new time for me

I Didn't Know My Own Strength - Whitney Houston Listen Here | I Look To You [2009]

Doubt is an emotion that will probably haunt you as you begin to make changes in your life. As you go through the various stages of change you may find yourself asking questions such as " Did I make the right decision?"  or  "Can I handle this?".  The late Whitney Houston is here to remind us that we have to be confident in the strength that we possess. We are enough and we can do it! We were not built to break.

Notable Lyrics

I thought I'd never find my way
I thought I'd never lift that weight
I thought I would break

I didn't know my own strength
And I crashed down, and I tumbled
But I did not crumble
I got through all the pain

Am I Wrong - Nico and Vinz Listen Here | Black Star Elephant [2013]

It is so easy to look around you and compare your life to others. And more often than not, we use those comparisons to gauge if our intuitions are valuable. It is so imperative that we learn to trust our own voice. That internal voice that is often times muffled due to various external influences. Trust your gut.

Notable Lyrics

Am I wrong for thinking out the box from where I stay?
Am I wrong for saying that I'll choose another way?
I ain't trying to do what everybody else doing
Just cause everybody doing what they all do
If one thing I know, how far would I grow?
I'm walking down this road of mine, this road that I call home

So am I wrong for thinking that we could be something for real?
Now am I wrong for trying to reach the things that I can't see?
But that's just how I feel, that's just how I feel
That's just how I feel trying to reach the things that I can't see

Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield Listen Here | Unwritten [2004]

We are all works in progress, don't allow the pressure of not having it all figured out keep you from moving forward. You will learn and gain resources along the way that will help you complete your task. All you need to start is a desire to change and the confidence to take the first step. The universe will guide the way after that.

Notable Lyrics

No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

Headed In The Right Direction - India.Arie Listen Here | Voyage To India [2002]

Sometimes all you need when you are feeling lost in your transition is reassurance that you are headed in the right direction. And just like the voice of your GPS, India let's us know that with love and intuition on our side, we are in fact going the right way.

Notable Lyrics

Headed in the right direction
I can see the light of day
I've got love as my protection
There's no need for me to be afraid