....to many of the problems that so very many of us have been experiencing for the past year+. When I listen to the voices around me, whether it be stories and reports on NPR, people I overhear talking or people that I know, I usually don't like what I'm hearing. Don't get me wrong, I've also heard my fair share of positively charged stories, but the overall vibe most of the time has a more negative tone. As we all know, much of what I am referring to is a direct result or effect of the pandemic. Whether you believe in the pandemic or not, the impact has been felt by all of us in one way or another. That being said, we have all had to make certain "life adjustments" to accommodate such impacts. Ok, ok.....that's about enough of a summary about the things we ALL already know.
The main reason I'm posting this is to share with the community the one thing that has helped me the most in these uncertain times. That one thing is MUSIC. Now I know that this might seem like a superficial solution to some, or maybe even no solution at all. Try to keep an open mind and also know that I am only sharing in an effort to help the people who this may resonate with. I am certainly not trying to proclaim that I have an answer to homelessness or hunger or joblessness. I just want to remind people that we can often find some comfort, even if only for a moment, in some of the simpler things this life has to offer. For me, that simpler thing is MUSIC. My brain hurts just a little now after providing as many reassurances as I could in an effort to avoid offending anyone who ends up reading this. From here on out I will be sticking to my initial purpose.
I was lucky enough to to have the 80s as my most memorable intro to the world of music. It was the decade of wonder(in my opinion) and the decade of pioneering brave, new sounds. It was also truly the decade of the "one hit wonder." Anyway, you get the idea....I love 80s music! I have fond memories of being driven around in my mom's car learning the words to all the songs on the radio. But it wasn't all 80s, there was plenty of 60s and 70s in the mix too. What I'm getting at is that I have always had an affinity for MUSIC. My mom used to always tell me I should dance cuz it makes you feel good. I first discovered she was right about the dancing thing later on in my late teen years when I started going to Grateful Dead shows, and soon after that Phish shows. Then when I was 20 years old I went to my first rave....I know, kind of a hard right turn there, but I might as well give you the full run down. I used to think ravers were just idiot kids listening to pounding techno music, wearing giant clothes and sucking on candy all the time. But after my first rave it all made sense. I had to experience it for myself before I truly appreciated what it was all about. Six years later I taught myself how to spin records and still do to this day. I still go to Phish shows too....as many as I possibly can!
Now that I've got my music history pretty much covered, let me get back to point I am trying to make. As I'm sure you can see, music plays an integral part in my life. It always has, in varying degrees at different times of course, but it has always been there. Now even though you may not think of music the same way I do, hell, maybe you've never even been to a concert; I'll bet you that you have at least one song that you know and love, and maybe even sing every time you hear it. Think about how it makes you feel. Do you try to sing it just as good as the artist? Do you put your own little spin on it? Whatever the case may be, would you say that it makes you happy? Hopefully the answer is yes, because I know that is what music does for me.
As I mentioned earlier, I'm not claiming to have the answer to everyone's problems here. Fact of the matter is, times are hard right now for most of us. It's been a looooong year, hasn't it? It feels like it's never going to end sometimes. I feel very blessed to say only a few people that I know of personally have died due to Covid related illness, but that's not the case for many. I used to work in the Event Industry as an Audio/Video/Lighting Technician and Sound Engineer. I don't know if that industry will ever return to what it once was, but I strongly doubt it. We have all had to spend a lot more time alone, without the company of friends and family. That has taken a toll on too many of us and even led to an increase in depression and suicides around the world. Humans need to connect with one another, at least in some capacity. It is vital for our survival. Let music be the bridge, just try it. If life is getting the best of you and you just feel like you can't take anymore, put on one of your favorite songs and even sing along to it. Let that be your human connection and let the MUSIC heal your soul. You may think it sounds cheesy or that it won't even work. That is only true if you are determined to be miserable.
We live in a time of uncertainty. Sometimes we don't know if we're coming or going. It never hurts to leave the moment and choose to enter into a different, better moment....even if only for a moment. HA! MUSIC is the perfect companion for whatever mood shift you might require in any given moment. Just try it for yourself and see what you think. I am eager to read any replies to this post once you have tried it for yourself. I wish you all the best, and remember, it's always the right time to let the MUSIC play!
