We often hear that old saying, "You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone." This week, I want to explore that very human experience through the lens of a song we've been journeying with, "I'll Be There For You" by Bon Jovi. We'll be looking specifically at how this painful realization can become a powerful, albeit harsh, teacher of gratitude and humility – two cornerstones of mental wellbeing.

Welcome back to the space where we unravel the threads between the music that moves us and the mental wellness journeys we navigate. Today, we take another look at a power ballad that, on the surface, might seem all about holding on, but I want to explore how it can surprisingly guide us toward the crucial practices of mindfulness, being present, and the art of letting go. The song on our minds (and in our ears) this week is Bon Jovi's epic 1989 hit, "I'll Be There For You."

Now, I know what some of you might be thinking. GNR? On a mental health blog? Aren't they just about partying and rebellion? And yeah, on the surface, that's part of their image. But trust me, if you dig even a little bit beneath the leather and bandanas, you find a story absolutely saturated with themes we talk about here all the time: addiction, trauma, anxiety, depression, the crushing weight of fame, fractured relationships, and the desperate search for some kind of parad

Music has an incredible way of tapping into the deepest parts of our emotional experience, sometimes reflecting feelings and struggles we can barely articulate. Today, I want to explore a connection that might seem unconventional at first glance: the swirling emotions and narrative within Guns N' Roses' epic rock ballad, "November Rain," and the lived experience of managing bipolar disorder.

Let's explore another layer of meaning in "November Rain", this time focusing on gratitude and humility. It's interesting how a song can speak to such different aspects of the human experience! sometimes for what was, It's easy to focus on the drama and heartbreak in "November Rain" (and there's plenty of that!), but underneath it all, there's a current of appreciation – sometimes for what is, and sometimes for the mere potential of connection.