Tune in, set the tone

One of my favorite shows right now is Glee. Of course being a former show choir alum I adore the music, but I also love the fact that each week has a different theme. Whether it be centered around an artist or an idea, the show sticks with a general tone or message each time. Having a central theme keeps me zeroed in on what I am supposed to focus on and what the writers are trying to express. I also enjoy the twists and tweeks they interject – things I wouldn’t expect to fit in with the chosen theme. It keeps me on my toes and opens my mind to new thoughts and interpretations.

My friend Ellen used to pick on me because she said all my outfits had to have a theme.  I dressed in the morning wondering what I was “going for” that day – preppy, grungy, hippie -whatever. I still dress this way, and each aspect of my outfit has to resonate the particular genre that I’m feeling. I often think that what I wear sets the tone my entire day. It’s no wonder I seem to always wear black on Mondays, silently mourning the demise of the weekend. Whatever I wear on the outside often seems to reflect what I’ve got going on inside. After all, the desire to express ourselves and our respective emotions is the primary objective of fashion and personal style.

Without a theme for the day, I’m wandering a bit haphazardly wondering what I am “going for.”  Sure we’ve all got work, kids, and life in general to deal with but when we wake up and after we get our caffeine fix, do we set a tone for the day? Some people pray or meditate at home. Many people set a plan or agenda at the office. I’ve got a mix on my ipod labeled “Up and Out” that I play while I’m getting ready in the morning; it’s filled with bright peppy tunes that ease me into day. Since I normally wake up pretty grumpy (oh no, morning AGAIN??) I need a little pick-me-up to take the edge off and prepare me to meet the challenges of the day with a smile on my face.

If every day is a new beginning, a fresh chance to make something positive happen in our lives, how do we set the theme for the day? Do we even bother to set the tone? Or are we just aimless and disorganized, hoping that it will all fall into place once we get the day going? From the clothes we put on, to the music we put on, to the attitude we put on, we’ve established what we are “going for” whether we are conscious of it or not. It’s up to you to take the reins and decide your theme for the day – lest you allow life to decide for you.