I love getting new music to listen to. I listen to the radio for new hits, and find some old favorites. Some from when I was growing up and listening to 90s music, some from my parent's generation. Music always brings out so many emotions for me.
When I'm in a happy mood, or I want to dance and move and workout, I usually listen to recent songs from college time-now. Rap, hip-hop, pop, rock... you name it, I listen to it. When I'm a bit down, I like to listen to soothing music, sometimes classical; anything with a piano and stringed instruments, I'm game for. When I do yoga, I again put some soothing music on, but a little more upbeat, with some good drums in it.
When I just need to think, and I need some music to just have in the background, there are a few artists and albums that are my go-to music choice. Any album by Mae (though I usually skip Singularity), Everything in Transit by Jack's Mannequin, Leaving Through the Window and North by Something Corporate, Never Take Friendship Personal by Anberlin, Chroma by Cartel, Dog Problems and Interventions and Lullabies by The Format, and Science and Faith by The Script, to name a few (okay, a lot). Most of these (minus The Script, and the (M)orning, (A)fternoon and (E)vening albums from Mae) are from around 2006 (either before or just after)... which means most of these came out when I was in high school or just starting college. Crazy to think about, right?
But I can listen to these albums over and over again. I remember what I first felt when listening to these songs. I remember going to concerts and hearing them live, and remember loving every song, every note, all the people around me, singing the same words that were coming out of my mouth. Listening to them over and over, remembering the happiness, sometimes the sadness that accompanied a listen... you think back about what was going on then. What your biggest fears were, who your best friends were, what you were doing at that point in your life.
It's funny how these songs, that had special meaning to you in the past, these songs can have a special meaning to you now. Maybe it's just the same feeling reiterated, maybe it's a new feeling. Who you are, what you're doing, etc... all that can change in a second. But these songs don't change; they stay the same. They represent a moment in time that you can control.
That's one of the hardest things to comprehend: not being able to control things. It scares me, I know that. I thrive in trying to be in control. But most things I cannot control: I can't control what I'm working on, whether it's supposed to work like a protocol says or how it's supposed to work theoretically. I can't control my relationships with people; things will happen, and I just have to learn to adapt and change around them. I can't control the weather, as much as I would like to (sunny, 80 degrees all day, everyday). Sometimes, I can't control my emotions. There are so many things I know I cannot be in control of.
But I can be in control what I felt when I first listened to a song. And just that little bit of control is all that we should need. (Or that's what I tell myself. lol)
Think of a song, an album, an artist that you can listen to over and over again. Think of how you felt when you first heard it. What emotions come to mind? What events were going on?
For me, music helps reflect my mood, it helps me think. Is there something that does that for you? Whatever it is, don't lose it; perhaps it can keep you somewhat sane in an otherwise crazy world.
Go put on your favorite song or album, and just let yourself go in the music. I think you'll be glad you did. Be in control for a moment in time. Or a few, if it's on repeat. Lose yourself, and then bring yourself back, hopefully re-energized and ready to take what life throws at you.
I'm going back to listening to my music. Until next time. Remember to try to stay positive, life is a much more beautiful place that way.
