How Music Influences our Lives

You are what you listen to.

Harmony … it’s not lasting or permanent it is about individual voices coming together for a moment and that moment lasts the length of a breath …

House of Cards, S1 Ep8

This particular quote struck me, and I wanted to include it somewhere within my posts. And I thought, why not here; what a perfect spot!?!

Now, please don’t judge my TV watching. It is simply a time to numb out the world where no thinking is required. Still, you have to admit that Frances Underwood has a good point with this profound statement.

Many opportunities are purely a fleeting moment in time. Whatever it is that you are feeling, that you are experiencing in that singular instant, you need to hold on to that before it disappears and is gone. And, then, somehow – remember it, forever.

For me, music does just that. Music can bring back memories like the smell of rain on a warm spring day. A particular song will bring strong memories flying to the front of my mind as if I am right there in that very moment.

Music may also help Alzheimer patients and I believe that without a doubt.

Scientists remain hopeful that music could help patients suffering from the ravaging effects of Alzheimer’s disease one day. Researchers have found that playing meaningful music may alleviate anxiety associated with dementia.

The study was published in The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, April 2018.

Memories and Moments in time.

These topics lead us to our first song that I would like to bring to light today – “Say” by John Mayer. The words are such a good life lesson, no matter the genre that is your natural “go-to.”

… Walking like a one-man army
Fighting with the shadows in your head
Living out the same old moment
Knowing you’d be better off instead,
If you could only
Say what you need to say …

John Mayer, “Say”

Oh yes, and the genres are indeed endless, from Bach to Screamo and everything in between! I am certainly not going to be able to put them all within this post, but that really isn’t the goal for today.

Not only is the style of music going to be specific for each person, but also to that specific moment. Whatever it is that you are going through and your mood. More importantly, how do you want to feel; even better, what do you need to feel?

Are you …

• Celebrating a Wedding?
• Crying at a Funeral?
• Angry over a break-up?
• Seeking to be Strong?
• Needing to be Sad?
• Yearning for Inner Quiet, Peace and Calm?

Finding Inner Peace

We chatted a few weeks ago that music is one way to center yourself.

So, when you are seeking that quiet time maybe you reach for your playlist that will drown out the chaos. The songs you select will help to stop that inner noise and calm your inner chatter.

The sounds you hear can let you forget the outside world and allow you just to breathe, and allow you to be isolated within that one moment in time.

Seek out different styles of Music.

Listen to it All! Enjoy and Embrace the wide variety of choices!

Exercise

Oh, music is our friend even more during exercise! It makes all of the “hard stuff” melt away!

Maybe you are going on an intense hike, walk, run, or workout at the gym. Select music with a BPM of 120 – 140; this will, sub-continuously, get your heart rate up. [Disclaimer: before starting an exercise routine, always check with your doctor first, please!]

Listening to music during exercise could lead to a better workout and release feel-good chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine. This may boost your mood, dull pain, and make you less tired. I say it just makes you forget about it all!

I’ll even put on a Hip-Hop station while cleaning the house! Dance around while cleaning? Why Not! Grab an opportunity to burn calories and have some fun!!

And never be afraid to dance like no one is looking!

Always believe in yourself and not be intimidated or influenced by someone who may judge you. Perhaps they are insecure about doing something different, outrageous, or courageous?

Listen to this next song, and see how prevalent it still is – 51 years later!

Hopefully, we scratched the surface just a bit for you and showed how music could be such a significant influence within our lives. Touching upon Memories, finding Peace, and even enhancing our Exercise routine.

Going further …

I want to expand more on this topic, being slightly selfish, as it is such a big part of my own life from both a spiritual perspective and even in my day to day work.

I listen to music almost all day – from the moment I wake until just before dinner and into the evening. My Pandora station usually changes throughout the day depending on what project or task I am working on, but it’s always there in the background.

Will you come along on this musical journey with me? I would appreciate that and I think you’d enjoy it too!

Life seems to go on without effort when I am filled with music.

George Eliot

Until next time … Peace and Blessings, Friends!