Music speaks when words fail us. How many times have we listened to a song (or songs, or in my case, a lot of songs) and felt it hit to the core? We may not know what the writer’s personal intent or meaning is behind the lyrics, but what we do know is the effect that it has on us.

I first heard the song “What Do You Gotta Lose?” by the band Islander about 6 months ago. My life had gone through many changes, especially within that past year (think March 2020 forward) that caused me to question a lot of things about myself, things that I believed, things about my relationships with other people and especially my health. Wasted time, what to do with the time you do have left, feeling alone and out of place, letting pride keep you from sharing your struggles and pain. It is all there. It is like the song was written for me. But then, how many of us have felt that way at least one time in our lives?

I don’t know why we tend to bury our pain and let our pride take over. It is almost as if it is easier to live with the pain than it is to be vulnerable. But that internalizing can lead to (more) depression, (more) anxiety, frustration, feeling overwhelmed, feeling hopeless and it can also affect our physical health.

We were created for relationships. Not to be out here on our own. Having a trusted friend, just one, can make a difference. Having a safe place, a community to share our struggles, for someone else to say – “yes, I know how you feel and I got your back” can make such a difference.

So, for those suffering in silence, you are more than your pain. There are resources out there that can help you to take the first step if you are hesitant or unsure of yourself. For those who have been through the fire, how can you use your testimony to be a trusted support/mentor/friend to someone else?

“‘What Do You Gotta Lose?’ is a song about hoping for a better tomorrow. Joy comes in the morning with every new sunrise. I just want to encourage people to continue opening their eyes each morning."….Mikey Carvajal, singer for Islander. To learn more about the message behind the song please visit:

https://loudwire.com/islander-what-do-you-gotta-lose-lyrics-video/