30 Days of Gratitude: Day 10

Where Words Fail, Music Speaks

I have been struggling lately with feeling connected to many things. Music even lost purpose and meaning in my life, which is so odd because it makes up much of my younger years. Last night, on my drive home, I put on holiday music. Something about it hit differently. I love music, even with my recent disconnect. Music has always found a way to speak for me when I couldn't put what I wanted to say into words. There is a way music can give voice to any and all emotions and help us connect to our feelings in a way we sometimes struggle with.

One thing I notice about music is how it can help navigate you to a new emotional state. I have found myself listening to music that fits the emotion I am in, then get a feeling (the Holy Spirit working) that I need to change the style of music. I can go from sadder to upbeat songs, which helps make processing the feelings easier. Not staying in the more complex feelings but processing through them and moving into something more content and pleasant.

The relationship between music and memory is powerful. Music presents powerful emotions that bring back memories. When we listen to a piece of music from years ago, we seem to travel to that moment and relive it in our minds. We can feel everything as if we were there. In fact, it is one of the reasons that caregivers working with dementia patients use music. Even with current memory loss, music allows them to retain memories from their childhood.

Music is a universal language. Speaking a language every person can understand becomes irrelevant when you have music. Each culture can present itself in a way that anyone can understand. It speaks to the heart of where you are from and who you are as a people. Any person from any spot in the world can react to rhythms and beats, no matter where they are from.

Pay attention to the music you may hear today. Let it take you back to memories and enjoy reconnecting.