During these Difficult Days…Don’t Forget Your Music!
Heal, Stay Centered and Even Inspire Your Self!
Amidst the chaos of these crazy and even unbelievable days, I often forget music. I can go for days without attending to listening to music for the pure joy and comfort of it. I completely forget how music has so many healing properties. No other sensory thing can concurrently fill your heart, ignite memory, spark your aesthetic senses, move your body or expand your consciousness to a higher level. Music – whatever you love and moves you. Lately, I have really been delving into so much music, and I find it's making a huge difference in how I feel and get through my days. My heart is lighter and hopeful.
I have always collected and created music playlists when I was a child – as soon as there were such things as cassettes and recorders. Before that, I had favorite records and I’d lie on my back listening not only to the stories but to their soundtracks. On my parents’ records, I’d pay attention to the lilt and nuance in voices and orchestral harmonies. I would start “feeling” and then I could be transported and my imagination would take flight. When I came into contact with bossa nova (Sergio Mendes, to be exact), I felt as though the sun was shining only on me. The day actually felt free and breezy. Music from Broadway shows, like West Side Story, or The King and I, had me dancing, waltzing or jumping.
As a shy, introverted kid, I swam in the oceans of music. In addition to R&B and Pop, I also loved “straight-up” jazz, jazz vocalists, the easy listening genre and soundtrack music. Lush, orchestral harmonies spoke to my soul. Anything that was beautiful and stirred my heart, I loved. I was dumbfounded and hurt that despite the many piano lessons and countless hours of practice, I did not have a talent for making music. So listening and absorbing music became my mainstay.
Music is literally in my blood. My maternal grandparents were blues and jazz recording and performance artists and music business entrepreneurs. My mother was a musical stage singer and actress. My father also loved music, especially jazz, and during my high school years (after my mother died suddenly) and beyond, we would share new music and record together. Whenever he’d visit me in college, law school, and during his trips to visit me when I was a working lawyer, he would hand me a few cassettes with a knowing grin. I, in turn, would offer mine, or we would play my music, and he would select and ask for a recording. Music was a key part of our bond. So I can play his music and re-experience his presence.
Music was always playing soundtracks for me as I journeyed into phase after phase of my life. You know how it is. One song replayed can transport you back into exactly where you were and how you were feeling. Your cells remember everything and can replay those memories on demand. The way the music touches you – a tiny lilt or shift in melody or tone, or even the lyrics that accompany the music can speak your life to you. You can call in any emotion just by playing a tune.
Music is, scientifically, a healing property. You can do your research, but I’ve learned that it can:
Synchronize brain waves, producing alpha brainwaves associated with relaxation.
Increases dopamine, which can help relieve feelings of anxiety and depression.
Decreases cortisol, a hormone associated with stress.
Activate endorphins, which are natural pain relievers.
Calming, pleasing music is a coping mechanism which help
mental well-being
to significantly lower stress levels and improve overall mental well-being.
to create a sense of peace and tranquility
to cope with difficult emotions
you cope with difficult emotions or situations
So, when the world feels like it’s crashing in, in addition to getting quiet, taking walks and meditating, let’s not forget the Music! Get those playlists you already have or create some new ones – anything that can calm, soothe, center, transport, inspire and ignite new feelings of joy and hope. Explore new music too. For every song or artist you love, there are breadcrumbs to many others – to surprise and delight you. For those of you who are visual, look at live or recorded musical performances! They abound on YouTube.
And yes, when you feel you just have to let loose and cry, I know you have those songs that reach into your heart and inspire your tears of release.
Just trust this –there is gold within you and music can call it out. And don’t forget the music that makes you dance!
Start compiling your Playlists for Comfort, Release, Joy and Upliftment!
As for me, at this moment, I am in the mood for beautiful joy and will go off and listen to the music of Joe Hisaishi, who scores those wonderful Ghibli movies!
Beautiful reminder that makes me what to start playing something right now!