Every now and then I dig into my favourite rock and roll playlists to restore my energy and take some emotional relief from the rough and tumble of life. It’s been a tough week for my family with my father-in-law, Harry, being taken critically ill and our beloved dog Shadow undergoing emergency surgery.

Yesterday was a long day, largely spent in anxious silence waiting for the phone to ring. At last, at the end of the day we heard news that Shadow at age 14 and a half had survived surgery, and that Harry had improved slightly. Neither are out of the woods, but it was good enough news for me to break the silence, put on a Bon Jovi album and play it as loud as I could bear.

The raw energy of Have a Nice Day has for some reason always held me in good stead when I’m feeling down – maybe because it captures so brilliantly a sense of hopeful defiance and living life on your own terms. For me, it’s a great anthem for life and career as well:

…. if there’s one thing I hang onto,

That gets me through the night.

I ain’t gonna do what I don’t want to,

I’m gonna live my life.

Shining like a diamond, rolling with the dice,

Standing on the ledge, I show the wind how to fly.

When the world gets in my face

I say, Have a Nice Day.

Source: azlyrics.com

I hope that during this past week you have shone brightly – there is a lot to be said for navigating your life and career on your own terms and for turning your music up really loudly when you need to. As for Shadow and Harry – I know they will always shine like diamonds, no matter what.

Until next time, go well …

Carole