Music and the Soul

It’s late afternoon and I wandered out to the patio to write. The warm California sun is still doing its job. I listen to the rhythm of the waterfall tumbling to the pond below and from inside the house the uplifting sounds of flamenco guitar playing fill the rest of space around me.

What made me choose song titles in my book? I am not really a “music person”. I know a few artists from my own era and of course names of popular stars, or at least some of them today. I am not like others who can rattle off the names of songs and who sings them; that’s beyond me.

Emotionally my heart hurts for the people in Japan. It’s cold, grief is among them, lost children, lost homes, lost pets. Maybe I think of music because it fills the spirit. Maybe for me it lessens the heavy burden of worrying. When people are sad or feeling negative they may turn to music. Others will not, preferring silence. For some music will soothe. Or silence will be freedom, an escape of feeling for those who need quiet. Music can just sound like head noise.

Music can create scenarios in our minds, change a mood or intensify it. It makes driving more fun. Company coming…something bright, light and festive goes on. When it’s time to read for pleasure, classical or mystical flutes can conjure up images of wide open plains at sunset, mountain ranges in the far distance. On the way to have fun somewhere, a strong rock beat makes the drive go faster. Conversation with someone you love; the mood is set by instrumental music or the low, lulling voices of those who sing tenderly. Travelling somewhere new, music from other countries opens our senses and brings the excitement of an adventure with it. When the holidays arrive, how joyful it is to fill the air with music just for the season.

I smile to myself, thankful for life, grateful and appreciating that music brings joy, pleasure, soothing, healing and hope.

I wish I could play the piano. I wish I could make music.