If Oprah Was A Musician

What Oprah is about — inspiring and empowering people to live their best lives — is what the Positive and New Thought Music Movement is about. This is music that's not just entertaining, but is used to create positive change in people's lives.

The music "motivated me to keep pursuing my goals," is a sentiment often heard. "It inspires me to stay in a place of gratitude and celebration," writes one woman. "It makes me feel connected with others, like we really are part of one human family," writes another.

Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, says "it's music to help your soul sing." Or as Oprah might say, it's music to inspire you "to live your best life."

This new movement in music — called Positive, or POS, by some, or New Thought by others — is music with positive, universal messages that speaks to what is good and what is possible in our lives. It's music that touches people of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds because it's the language of the soul which knows no boundaries.

From popular songs like Natasha Bedingfield's ubiquitous "Unwritten" and Jack Johnson's "Good People" to indie songs like "XtraOrdinary," "If I Were Brave," and "Thou Shall Enjoy," songs with positive messages are gaining popularity across the country.

With the tremendous popularity of TV shows like Oprah or movies and books like "The Secret," people are searching for more positive messages in the media and in the world around them. There's a growing understanding that what we focus on becomes our reality. Why not start with the kind of music we listen to. Why not create and listen to music that speaks to what's good in our lives, to what is possible, to what we all share as human beings.

Out of this trend, two organizations were formed several years ago — the Positive Music Association (www.PositiveMusicAssociation.com) and I-to-i Music (www.ItoiMusic.com) — to advance this emerging new movement in music. These two groups are helping to organize an upcoming music festival called "Harmonizing with Humanity" held at the Embassy Suites Phoenix North and Quintero Golf Club March 28-30, 2008. 

The event features 30 of the world's leading Poz and New Thought music artists, from Grammy and Emmy nominated songwriters to "Real Love" author Greg Baer. Musical styles range from pop and rock to country and folk. "Harmonizing with Humanity" is a fundraising event for I-to-i Music and the PMA to help bring this music into the mainstream, and is being presented by JourneyMates.net, Songs of Unity, and Quintero Golf Club.

For more information about the concerts, workshops and keynote addresses, or to register, go to www.JourneyMates.net or call 888-644-6961.

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Scott Johnson is executive director of the Positive Music Association. He can be reached at Scott@PositiveMusicAssociation.com or 303-581-9083.