Music is a miracle. In fact, when I hear there are 1,000 names for God, I believe “Music” is one of them. Music has the power to take you on journeys new and old. Songs hold important memories from our past, sweet spots and hints of the flavor of times in our lives at many different ages and stages. It does not surprise me that there is such a thing as Music Therapy. To me, every time I listen to it, I feel like it is my own personal therapy session. Do you know what I mean?
I am fortunate to have grown up in what I truly believe was the golden age of music. I grew up listening to Motown and Disco, to bands like the Spinners, Earth Wind and Fire, Soft Rock like ELO and Supertramp, Hall and Oates, and hard rock, like Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Journey and so many others. I enjoyed the balladeers like Elton John, James Taylor and Carly Simon. These bands and musicians had the power to make me smile, to think deeply, to laugh, dance, cry and quite literally made my childhood, teens and twenties. They brought such richness that to this day they help me retrieve past memories of times that can once again feel like they are at my fingertips. I cannot imagine going through those years without them.
Because we all have this amazing thing called the Internet, having access to music couldn’t be easier. I wonder if we use it to our full advantage when it comes to music? Are you listening to your old and new favorites? Exploring in ways that help you find even more that speak to you, move you or makes you feel something? In my most difficult times, I admit to feeling so “heard” when I find just the right song that says exactly how I feel. No talking necessary. What a gift to not have to try and put feelings to words, but just to simply hear them sung to me while an inner door opens, letting feelings flood out in ways that are both healing and therapeutic. These songs whether we listen to them, or play them ourselves, tell the stories of our lives in a way that is soothing or gritty; we hear our truths in the lyrics, and may even feel as if they were written for us. Any music lover knows EXACTLY what I mean.
Why am I telling you all this? Consider it a reminder to get out of your head and into your heart. If you are a thinker and tend to churn your troubles, I do not know of a better and easier way to start those feelings moving then listening to some really great music. What a gift to be able to have access to an “understanding” voice put to a melody to help guide you through tough times. You can just let go. The lyrics are truly the poetry of life—the challenges and joys we all experience put to a musical background fitting for the richness of our own life experience.
So let your ears and your hearts open wide, and release whatever is trapped inside. This is a beautiful way to flush out what needs to move. Feelings do us no good when they stay stuck. They cause a kind of necrotic numbness when we ignore them or feel frozen in time. Our feelings are tools and were made to move and flow. Let them! Music is one easy and very lovely way to do just that. The next time you feel frustrated, sad, angry, filled with joy or grief, why not reach for music? It is a most inexpensive, powerful, supportive and therapeutic tonic for all of us. Sit down in a comfortable chair, close your eyes or get up and dance like no one is watching. Sip something lovely or just cozy up to the Kleenex box. No matter, for each one is time well spent.
Be happy, bust a move and feel the music.
Always for YOU,
Karen