Music is one of the many things that my mom and I share a great passion for. We love hearing a new song on the radio and finding ways to identify with each. This is such a fun part of our relationship, with the minor exceptions of the not-so-fun texts I receive from her with links to a song and a comment that usually is something like this: "Hey Lex, this song reminds me of you and (ex-boyfriend's name who will be left anonymous)!!" I roll my eyes and laugh, but like most moms she is usually spot on with her observations (you're welcome for this, Mom).

But really, it is so cool to be in the front seat of her car singing along to the newest female-empowering breakup song. She hasn't gone through a break up in years but it's cute and sweet when she does what she can to relate to my dramatic college life.

Music and my mom have always gone hand-in-hand when it comes to how I live my life. My teenage years were and still are pretty tricky and I have definitely lost myself quite a few times. Luckily, I stumbled upon this sassy country song a few years back that put every idea of the life that my mom has encouraged me to live into a short three minutes and thirty-three seconds.

This song has led me through every single moment of my journey. It is such an easy way to understand one's emotions and actions at any given moment and has definitely allowed me to make my own decisions without sweating over the thoughts of others. You truly are always "damned if you do, and damned in you don't."

I think everyone should try using music as therapy and treating songs as life-lessons. All you have to do is google, "songs about ____" and millions of options come up. It will help you realize you are never alone in your feelings. Or it will give you the best music to listen while you get ready to go out for the night. Either way, it works.

Oh and before I forget, thank you, Mom, for sharing this love for music and life with me. And thank you Kacey Musgraves for giving us a song to live by. I will forever be reminded to "Follow [my] arrow, wherever it points."