89. A Christmas Song for Weary Hearts: Snow by Sleeping at Last

Merry Christmas! No interview today. No monologue either. Just a simple, short and sweet song I wanted to give as a gift to anyone whose heart is hurting this holiday.Why I'm sharing this song with you:Since Christmas has fallen on a Monday this year, and I always release new episodes on Monday, I faced a dilemma. I thought it would be a disservice to any guest to ask them to do an episode that would air on a day that the average listener can be expected to have other priorities, and I didn't want to interrupt anyone's holiday with a silly request to listen to an interview instead of celebrating traditions with their loved ones. At the same time, I didn't want to lose the consistency of releasing one episode per week, which I've been doing since the podcast launched in May of 2022. A few weeks before Christmas, this beloved song came to me and said, "hey! Share me with your listeners for Christmas! I'm the perfect gift for your audience!" And I thought, that's perfect. So I reached out to the artist, got in touch with his licensing company, and shelled out the dollars for the rights to share this song with you as my way of saying thank you for supporting the show. As you may have noticed, one of the things I like to do on this podcast is to highlight people of exceptional character and virtue. Ryan O'Neal, who goes by the artist name Sleeping at Last, is one such individual, and I simply adore him. His thoughtfully composed, exquisite music has gotten me through hard times, inspired and soothed me. Beyond mere auditory pleasure, though, his virtuous character shines through everything he touches. For example, this series he did on the Enneagram shows the tremendous amount of effort he puts in to empathizing with the human experience, taking perspectives and telling stories through sound. As an Enneagram One myself - as I discussed with Kim O in episode 80 - it's crucial to my own mental health that I surround myself with examples of virtuous character, good deeds, exquisitely crafted art, and things just generally being done really well. It helps me feel less alone in the universe, less uniquely burdened with the impossible task of bringing out the best in everyone and everything. Ryan is one of those people who seems to be well along his path of self-actualization, who strives to manifest his character and virtue through everything he touches. It seems clear that he is a well-rounded person, a loving husband, father, and friend to many. His music is heartfelt, therapeutic, soulful, and deeply empathic. May this song touch your heart as it touches mine, and bring comfort to the darkness of the winter season. Lyrics to Snow, by Sleeping at Lastthe branches have traded their leaves for white sleeves all warm-blooded creatures make ghosts as they breathe scarves are wrapped tightly like gifts under trees christmas lights tangle in knots annuallyour families huddle closely betting warmth against the cold but our bruises seem to surface like mud beneath the snowso we sing carols softly, as sweet as we know a prayer that our burdens will lift as we go like young love still waiting under mistletoe we’ll welcome december with tireless hopelet our bells keep on ringing making angels in the snow may the melody disarm us when the cracks begin to showlike the petals in our pockets may we remember who we are unconditionally cared for by those who share our broken heartsthe table is set and our glasses are full though pieces go missing, may we still feel whole we’ll build new traditions in place of the old ‘cause life without revision will silence our soulsso let the bells keep on ringing making angels in the snow may the melody surround us when the cracks begin to showlike the petals in our pockets may we remember who we are unconditionally cared for by those who share our broken heartsas gentle as feathers, the snow piles high our world gets rewritten and retraced every time like fresh plates and clean slates, our future is white new year’s resolutions will reset tonight“Snow”Written by Ryan O’NealPublished by Asteroid B-612 (BMI) / Wine And Song Music (BMI)Performed by Sleeping At LastCourtesy of Asteroid B-612By arrangement with Music Alternatives, LLCFollow Sleeping at Last on SpotifyFollow The Sleeping at Last Podcast on SpotifyLearn about how the artist was inspired to create this song. Read what he wrote in 2011, or listen to episode 8 of The Sleeping at Last Podcast, which Ryan recorded in 2017, in which he elaborates on his songwriting process for Snow.  To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my