I
Believe...
Music has power over our lives, our decisions, our
emotions. This I believe. We’re obsessed with
music. Our world is almost never silent, and the music
playing in the background of our lives ties in strongly to our
memories.
Picture this. You’re in your room, listening to the
radio. An old favorite comes on, and your head floods with
memories. Suddenly, you’re thinking of old friends
from summer camp, or that one time when everything was
good. Music can take you back to past lives you’ve
lived, whether for better or for worse. You can be reminded
of family or heartbreak, happiness or sorrow. Music can
give you the power to remember, or to forget.
About a year ago, I had a great friend, who I’ll call
A. I don’t know the exact circumstances, but I know
A’s dad died in the army a few years ago. One night,
at church, we were talking about heartbreak and loss. A is
very strong and always tries to see the best in life, but it was
too much to handle, and she started crying. I was riding
home with her, trying to help her feel better, but not really
doing anything. Then, “Shut Up and Dance” came
on the radio. Almost immediately, she perks up, and starts
laughing and singing along. I watched her turn back into
the amazingly strong girl she usually is simply from hearing
music. Since then, remembering this reminds me of the
influence music has in our lives.
I’m the girl that’s always humming a song under their
breath, and sings obnoxiously loud at home. I turn to music
to fill up the empty spaces in my day. I love the way music
can fill a room and make everything feel better. I’ve
done piano lessons for no less than eight years in an attempt to
become one of those people that I admired who could make the
world come to life. I take every opportunity I can when it
comes to music because it makes me feel amazing when I
play. I do two band classes a day just so I can be a part
of the music. I don’t do all that I do just for
applause or recognition. In fact, I still get stage fright
sometimes, but I keep playing even when I’m scared because
I know how much of an impact my music can have on other
people’s lives. I’ve learned to play gentle
music that can make an audience tear up (in a good way) and music
that makes everyone want to get up and dance and clap
along. I can play music that will give you peace in the
middle of your busy day, or music that will give you energy to
make it through whatever life throws your way. Being
musician gives me incredible power over others’
emotions.
Throughout the last few years, I’ve learned a lot about how
everyone has their own stories that are all connected through the
power of music. I’ve learned a lot about the world
around me through the music I hear. I make an effort to
hear the background music in our lives because I believe in the
power of music.
~all mine