So the last time me, my sister Teresa and Ginger saw Kenny Chesney in concert, I got second degree burns from some bizarre chemical reaction to the sunscreen I applied. Granted, it didn’t help that we were out in the sun for two days straight, going from music festival to music festival between Philly and D.C. I’m not even sure if we slept in between, come to think of it, lol.

Since all my crazy antics actually predate iPhones, of course there’s no evidence to prove ANY of this. (Probably not a bad thing, haha.)

Anyhoo, I hadn’t listened to country music in some time. I swear it wasn’t because I got burned (insert cymbals here). I am a lover of all music to be quite honest so I have evvvvvverthing on rotation. Music has always played a very important role in my life. But recently my Apple Music recommended Kenny Chesney’s new album to me, Rivets & Rum page for recipes!)

Needless to say, I get to the last song on the album, and I keep hitting repeat. I felt like someone had looked into my soul.

“Now and then I let it go, I ride the waves I can’t control
I’m learnin’ how to build a better boat” – Kenny Chesney

I’ve loved song lyrics as long as I’ve been able to read. But these lyrics speak to me, and about me. There are no more appropriate words to be my soundtrack in 2018. I often wonder from what experiences certain songs are born. It’s so intertwined with my situation, that I almost began to believe I channeled these exact feelings to this brilliant songwriter I’ve never met and most likely never will, lol.

While I may have not inspired or written this song, it reassures me that I’m not alone. So many of us are learning how to build a better boat, whether by choice or due to circumstances beyond our control. (Visit Kenny Chesney’s charity, Love for Love City, to learn more about his charity that is helping to rebuild the lives of so many in the U.S. & British Virgin Islands. I saw first hand this past Spring, the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in the islands. But despite the less than perfect conditions, the people sing on and it’s still so inspiring to me.)

I’m so lucky to have a very close-knit support structure made up of a few true friends, remarkable family members from across the globe, my life’s passions and this little boy. Being a mom has always been my most important job. But it’s funny how business, especially bad business, can stand in its way and threaten the very well-being of everyone around you.

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Thanks Kenny for this beautiful song and an entire album that continues to speak to me on so many levels. Viva the barefoot life and #noshoesnation. And I hope to inspire and motivate you, my followers and readers moving forward. Never forget to @shineON.

And for any of you who haven’t listened to the song itself, here are the lyrics…

I’m Learning How to Build a Better Boat by Kenny Chesney

“I ain’t lonely, but I spend a lot of time alone
More than I’d like to, but I’m okay with stayin’ home
My how the last few months have changed
I’m smilin’ more despite the pain

I breathe in, I breathe out
Got friends to call who let me talk about
What ain’t workin’, what’s still hurtin’
All the things I feel like cussin’ out
Now and then I let it go, I ride the waves I can’t control
I’m learnin’ how to build a better boat

I hate waitin’, ain’t no patience in these hands
I’m not complainin’, sometimes it’s hard to change a man
I think I’m stronger than I was
I let God do what he does

I breathe in, I breathe out
Got friends to call who let me talk about
What ain’t workin’, what’s still hurtin’
All the things I feel like cussin’ out
Now and then I let it go, I ride the waves I can’t control
I’m learnin’ how to build a better boat

I breathe in, I breathe out
Got friends to call who let me talk about
What ain’t workin’, what’s still hurtin’
All the things I feel like cussin’ out
Now and then I let it go, I ride the waves I can’t control
If it’s workin’, I don’t know, when I get done the thing may not float
But I’m learnin’ how to build a better boat”