The Sound Of A Mix Tape

This morning I experienced the most delightful sound. It was the sound of a mix tape. And no, it was not the actual song awkwardly making its way through the sound waves and no I didn’t even have a tape cassette or actual tape near by. It was a song that echoed in my heart and in my mind. Some might call it nostalgia or a memory, I like to think of it as a simple gift from the heart. 

Do you remember what it sounded like and felt like to get that tape ready to play? Popping it out of the case while trying to make sense of the song list squished on the lines and pressing eject at the same time? Sometimes that button was soft. You know the one on the yellow Sony tape player? Or, it was a differently variety and the edges of the tiny rectangles would poke into your pointer finger as you joyfully pressed down. Next came the sound of the tape slipping into the player and the satisfaction of it being tucked into place like a baby nestled in her crib for the night (fingers crossed that the music played perfectly and the baby slept soundly). Perhaps you wanted to press fast forward or rewind to get to that perfect spot. If you have the space to do so, close your eyes and invite those sounds into your heart.

I share this story for a few reasons. First, I want to give thanks to that old ritual. It was a gift to be completely and utterly present in order to experience music, love and joy. I also share it as a loving reminder to practice presence. While so much of this time has stretched us and shaped us in ways we never thought possible, it has also invited us to slow down. I once had a teacher share with me that she meditated while doing laundry. My initial reaction was “What! Laundry is the worst! That doesn’t bring me peace.” And now, I kind of get it. Be in-joy during tasks we used to rush through.

Next time you hit play on Spotify, give homage to those sounds of the 80s. Remember the gift of presence. And finally… my song was “Pictures of You” by The Cure. What was yours?