There are many moments of joy in our lives. When we make an effort to be present each day we find more moments of pure joy. And, what is so amazing about being more present in life is that you find pure joy in the most simple moments: they way your child smiles at you, an “I love you”, a laugh, a hug, reading a book or simply playing.

For me and my family, some of these moments are in our car.

Driving to and from school is a part of our daily routine. Instead of sitting silently or watching movies we sing our hearts out. We don’t care about the cars beside us watching as we completely break it down singing at the top of our lungs. We embrace the music and let it prepare us for a tremendous day ahead. Pure joy is what we experience. We let everything go for about 15 minutes as we get through some of our favorite songs. I’m telling you, it is one of the best happiness workouts you could ever do. It starts my day (and I think theirs, too) on the best foot forward.

Music moves me and my family. It brings us together and give us that lift when we need it the most.

Turn off those movies and put away the video games, create a play list and let go. The kind of break-it-down, feel-the-music and sing-at-the-top-of-your-lungs let go. You’ll love it.

Just in case you want some inspiration, here are some songs from my list. I’d love some new recommendations so if you have them, please post below. And, the video above is my four-year-old singing her heart out in the car. This is pure joy my friends and as she says, it feels GOOD. I wasn’t driving, I promise.

Jessica’s fun-in-the-car playlist:

  • I Feel Good – James Brown
  • Shout – The Isley Brothers
  • Ob -La-Di, Ob-La-Da – The Beatles
  • Jump Rope – Blue October
  • I Gotta A Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
  • Yakety Yak – The Coasters
  • Jump – Kris Kross
  • I Like To Move It – Crazy Frog (my husband likes the Madagascar Afro Circus version)
  • Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
  • Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
  • Walkin’ on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves
  • We Are Young – Fun
  • Eye of the Tiger – Survivor