Singing into the Light: A Summer Invitation to Truth, Balance, and Joy
Join me in the lavender patch for a short Summer Solstice reflection on singing, listening, and blooming into your true voice.
As the sun stands still at the height of the year, we, too, are invited into stillness—not of inactivity, but of radiant presence.
Summer Solstice marks a threshold. A moment when light is most abundant and nature is fully alive. And just as the earth ripens under the sun, so too does something within us long to awaken.
This is a perfect time to soften, listen, and return to the truth that lives within your own voice.
Singing as a Supple Practice
At A Supple Voice, we cultivate the conditions for singing with a supple voice—one that listens, responds, and reveals the truth of who we are.
Singing, when done with conscious presence, becomes a practice of alignment.
Not with rules or ideals, but with what is real, loving, and alive in the moment.
You don’t need to be a performer. You don’t need to sound “perfect.” You only need to be present.
“There is no perfect sound. Only free sound. A sound full of wisdom and love.”
The moment you choose to sing—freely, honestly, and lovingly—you are choosing to meet yourself with courage and kindness.
That is the gesture of righteousness in singing: to bring tone into the world that is in balance with your own soul.
Bringing the Life Force into Balance
Singing, like any meaningful change, doesn’t start with technique.
It starts with the habit-body—what some call the life force body—which resists not out of stubbornness, but strength.
Every singer, whether beginner or experienced, must meet this body with patience. One day it flows, the next it resists. This is natural.
The voice reveals where you are, not where you “should” be.
The short exercises lessons below are offered not to correct you, but to gently attune you—to help you be with what is, and allow it to move.
Two Songs to Harmonize With the Season
To support this moment of inner tuning, scroll down below where we’ll explore two familiar melodies together—Lavender’s Blue and Here Comes the Sun.
We’ll begin with a little breathing practice first and then practice each song as an exercise—not jumping straight to the words, but first meeting the melody as pure tone using the NG [ning ning]. This gives your life force body time to integrate the shape and flow of the music, allowing the song to live in you before you try to express it outwardly.
From there, you’re invited to have fun with it:
Use the karaoke tracks to play with your voice.
Try out the new seasonal lyrics created just for this solstice moment, and enjoy the images I curated for the songs.
Explore and enjoy a few classic recordings and fun trivia about these beloved songs.
Whether you’re an experienced singer or just beginning, this is a chance to connect with joy, not judgment—to let your voice move with the rhythm of the summer light.
Sing-a-Long and Reflect
Once you’ve warmed up with the exercises above, sing along with the tracks and enjoy the curated images.
Reflecting in the Light
As we sing into the light of summer, we’re invited not to strive—but to notice. To soften. To awaken. To bloom.
You don’t need to analyze or fix anything—just take a moment to wonder:
What feels like it’s blooming in you right now?
How did your voice respond to the lightness of Lavender’s Blue or the warmth of Here Comes the Sun?
What happens when you let the melody lead, instead of trying to control it?
Did you notice a shift in your breath, your body, or your mood after singing?
What do you long to sing more freely?
You’re welcome to share your reflections in the comments below—or simply let them ripen quietly inside. Either way, I’m so grateful you’re here, and I’m singing with you in spirit.
🌞 Bonus Listening: Lavender Blue & Here Comes the Sun
As we conclude this Solstice Reflection, I’m delighted to share a few musical treasures to deepen your experience of light, joy, and timeless song.
💜 Lavender’s Blue
We’re revisiting the nostalgic charm of Lavender’s Blue with this classic 1949 recording by Burl Ives. Featured in the Walt Disney film So Dear to My Heart, it was nominated for an Academy Award and helped spark renewed love for this centuries-old tune.
Fun Fact: Lavender’s Blue traces back to a 17th-century English folk song originally titled Diddle Diddle or The Kind Country Lovers. The earliest versions were far earthier—some would even say shocking! With verses about courtship and country playfulness, the lyrics have evolved over time from flirtatious ballad to gentle nursery rhyme.
💡 Want to learn more? Explore these resources:
Historical connections to Twelfth Night and old English festival traditions
And finally, enjoy a tender version by Molly Elizabeth Gibson, whose voice carries the sweetness of summer and the purity of a folk lullaby.
🎶 Here Comes the Sun
First, enjoy the original 1969 Beatles recording of Here Comes the Sun, written by George Harrison and beloved around the world as a hymn of hope and renewal. It’s simple, profound, and somehow always feels like the light is returning just for you.
Then, bask in the warm harmonies of The Petersens Bluegrass Band: a family ensemble from Branson, Missouri, whose gentle acoustic version brings new life to the melody. Their sound—rooted in love, family, and natural beauty—echoes the spirit of this Solstice offering.
Want to go deeper? Read the Wikipedia article on Here Comes the Sun or explore this charming mini-documentary on the song’s origin, significance, and enduring cultural impact.
Closing Reflections
As the sun lingers a little longer in the sky, and the air fills with lavender and birdsong, may you find moments to pause… to breathe… and to sing.
The Summer Solstice reminds us that light always returns. That what we’ve been tending in stillness can now bloom. And that our voices—like the sun—can rise gently, generously, and without strain.
Whether you’ve joined in song, reflection, or quiet listening, I’m so glad you’re here. May your days ahead be filled with warmth, inner alignment, and the courage to let your voice meet the world just as it is: open, honest, and alive.
With love and a supple voice,
Shannon
