Listen to the Song in the Audio ↑

The Story & Science Behind the Song ↓

Preface (for those who are new to my songs and stories):

I admit that my songwriting is really nerdy, but it’s not without purpose. Nature’s metaphors and symbols give me compassion for the human condition, and remind of life’s resilience. As such, every nature-nerdy song is written to keep my heart and hope alive as I find my way through these trying times.

To that end, this is post is divided into three sections:

1. In The Story Behind the Song I share about the challenge that the song is addressing.

2. In The Science Behind the Song I share the nerdy details of the nature-metaphor (or symbol) that speaks to the challenge.

3. In The Gift of the Song I share how the nature-metaphor (or symbol) supports the challenge, and how my art amplifies its benefit.

Now let’s get into it:

The Presents of Colors in Cuts & Cracks

The Story Behind the Song

My boobie had just been bitten by a bug when I arrived at the shore on my birthday —so I was a little itchy and irritated. But, right at the moment that I pulled up, a fish jumped right in front of me (about 7 times consecutively), each time reaching about a foot in the air and a couple feet in distance. I’d never seen anything like it.

Amazed and astonished by this birthday gift from the ocean, my itchy boobie was no longer in focus as I slipped into my bathing suit and gathered my belongings.

“You’re not going swimming, are you?” I suddenly heard over the car door of my impromptu dressing room.

I looked up to find a sweet older woman looking at me. “You’re just going into the pools, right? You wouldn’t actually go in, would you? I wouldn’t want to worry about you” she said, sounding very much like my own grandmother would have (had she been a worrier).

“No worries at all.” I responded, with a smile. “Thanks for caring.”

It was the truth: I’d only been planning on dipping in. Still, I wondered why she worried about me going for a swim (but I didn’t ask her that).

“Did you see the fish?” I asked, instead. “Did you see it jumping?”

She hadn’t. So, I pointed to where it’d flown, just in case it soared again.

It was a sweet exchange in for my birthday:
strangers helping each other to find their way.

Still, the day was gray as I walked to my special place.

Happy to find it unoccupied, I unloaded my gear and went straight into the water. The tide was high and the rocks were covered, slippery beneath my bare feet. With careful steps, I didn’t hesitate to walk into the waves, slowly submerging into the pools that have always offered me grace.

Immediately the boobie-bite burned, but I wasn’t bothered. The itch would soon be soothed by the saltwater.

Neck-deep in the sea, I watched the ocean from eye level as it reached out and retreated to the same rhythm of my own gratitude and longing. Somewhere out there the moon was waning, but all I could see was the muted light of the cloud-covered sun, who was, in fact, still shining.

As if my skin was thirsty, I soaked just long enough for the sea to seep into my soul, but not so long that my bones would cool.

Still, I was marinated perfectly as I stepped out of the pool—and slipped slightly. It was just a quick sting, but it bled brightly. Maybe the ocean was also thirsty for me.

I didn’t mind. I could still walk easily.

Even so, I returned to the sand to examine my injury. The cut was deep, but not worthy of worry. The day was still young, and the rain was still holding.

There was art to be made. The waves were singing.

It was then that I saw the pink poke out of the sand, like a kiss being blown from under the land. Black and white and grey all over, I was delighted to be sent a splash of color.

It was confirmed: there were still more presents to be discovered.

Giddily, I started searching for treasure, sinking my hands into the sand and letting it slip through my fingers, like water made of land. There was more color in these broken shells than it seemed from afar: the discreet beauty found by telescopes to the stars.

Scouring the cracks of the shoreline, I picked up every piece of pink I could find, like a heart that’d shattered but was ready to be mine. Under the surface and inside the cracks, each precious piece had something to add.

Bit by bit my hands became full with just enough pieces to remake the puzzle: to find a new form and make a new shape; to start a new chapter and reform my fate.

Me and the sea shells, and the crashing of waves.

It was more than I could’ve asked for when a pink frame formed from the broken shells, with sturdy lines and solid color. It’s one thing to be given a picture, but to be framed in love is a true wonder.

Tickled by the gesture, I looked to the horizon where blue began adding to the surprises: the crest of the waves, the cracks in the clouds, the color that light brings when it wants to be found.

It all reminded me of the cosmos that I’d seen this summer, defiantly giving the asphalt some color. Brilliantly boasting straight from the street, I admired the audacity to bloom where it’s bleak.

All in all, the gray of my day affirmed the colors that do come through when I look at life from a closer view. From far away, what looks dismal actually contains tiny sprinkles—spots of shimmering and pockets of light, all waiting to be found by loving eyes.

For years I’d dreaded this daunting day as if the sky were set to fall. So, it would’ve been easy to lose myself in all that had gone wrong. But though there were plenty of reasons to complain, still the gift remained. Like a hand that guides me to the presents, this Love reveals the gifts of the moment.

So, instead of disintegrating into a wrinkled heap of sad and sagging skin, instead I was grateful for all I’d been given. In fact, I was so overflowing that started to sing.

In an improv love-song to all life brings, this song spoke of sky and sea,

of all the darkness and all the hope,
and all the colors when I look close. 

The Colors of Life

The Science Behind the Song

After a sweet day of surprise colors, I couldn’t help but to wonder:

Why’s there more color when I look closer, and why does it bring me so much joy?

Unable to curb my curiosity, I went searching for answers. Thanks to modern technology and the many scientists who share my wonder, I did discover some fun facts about color. Though, at times, it feels daunting to over-explain my songs and stories, the science behind the song does offer an extra dose of meaning. So let’s nerd-out with some of these discoveries:

To start, for color-seeing species (like humans), color and light go together; the more light, the more color. In fact, color is light. This is because all light contains a spectrum of wavelengths, which are perceived as different colors. When the light hits an object, some of those wavelengths are absorbed by the object, while others are reflected. Different objects absorb and reflect different wavelengths, which we perceive as different colors1.

Evolutionarily speaking, life has developed colors as a form of communication and an aid in understanding2. Colors warn of poison. They entice in mating. They help distinguish between young fruit, rotten fruit, and fruit that’s ripening. Even the colors of our faces express when we’re sick or angry. Every color has evolved purposefully.

That being said, color is perceived subjectively. Different species perceive colors uniquely. Dogs, for example, are dichromatic (which means that they see in only two colors: blue and yellow)3. Their limited vision, however, doesn’t inhibit their lives because they’ve also got superhero scent4 to guide.

Bees also see colors differently. Though, like humans, they’re trichromatic (meaning that they see in combinations of three colors), their sight is made of blue, green and ultraviolet light5 (rather than the good ‘ole red, blue, and green of human sight). But, again, the difference is purposeful. For example, many flower petals have ultraviolet “landing strips” to that have evolved to help bees find their pollen (so it doesn’t matter that humans can’t see them).

Psychologically, color has also been found to impact our mood, though the context always matters. Blue, for example, has been found to have an overall calming effect (but on meat,6 it’s not so reassuring). Red, has been found to increase attention and performance, but can also be associated with failure and over-aggressiveness7. Yellow has been found to increase serotonin (the hormone connected to happiness and motivation8 ), but when it’s on a sick face, it’s not very positive.

All that to say: for humans (and other color-seers), color is not only a sign of life, but a uniquely designed compass for navigating it.

Still, color (like life) is light dependent. When there’s less light, less color can be reflected. For example, when clouds scatter the sun, the light is weaker, which creates grey, or muted colors. Or, when light is blocked, there’s much less color in the shadows.

That being said, dim light is not completely colorless (at least not from close-up). This is due to the “inverse square law9” which (plainly put) confirms that we can, indeed, see more light (and color) as we get closer. There’s even a mathematical equation to prove it. (If you wanna see something really neat about color and focus, check this out).

So there you have it. Though I could go on and on about the true nature of black10, or why the sky is blue11, I think this Young Sheldon has said enough for the metaphor to feel true.

The Reflective Colors & Craft of Peace

The Gift of the Song

Metaphorically, finding colors in the cracks has been a very purposeful and creative commitment that’s helped my mental health immensely. In my life, making art has been my primary path of making peace.

It’s a craft that I’ve taken to heart: to find the colors in the dark.

Thank you to all the artists who’ve inspired me-

With all your heart, awe and wonder,

your unyielding commitment to care and discover,

even the darkest cracks have color.

Read more about the peace-power of creativity:

Creating Love & Peace with Creativity

Check Out More of My Nature-Nerdy Songs & Stories:

Musical Diary

It’s not always easy being human, but it sure does help to sing through it! In a mix of music, metaphor, and ecology, every song and story affirms the heart of our nature through all of life’s weather and wonders.

Musical Diary

Little Ditties

In trying times, I look to the world around me for reflections to keep my heart going, then I anchor them in little ditties. Check it out:

Little Ditties

Let’s Stay in Touch!

Subscribe now