I am not sure when I fell in love with music. As a child, I remember listening to my uncle play his guitar and singing. My grandparents and parents had organs with numbered keys that I played. My aunt played the piano as did my cousins. I loved all of it. In fourth grade, I took guitar lessons and in fifth grade I started my band education with the clarinet. After that, I played bass clarinet, oboe, trumpet, baritone, and piano. I sang in the choir for school and for church. I love attending concerts and listening to my iPod at various levels of sound.
When I am in a bad mood, the best thing to do is to put on my music and sing like I am a rock star! All my life I have had a theme song. The song changes with the years, but there is usually one. I have been wondering what it is at the moment. It is a bit fuzzy. I think it is a combo of Abba’s “I Have a Dream” and Francesca Battistelli’s “This is the Stuff.” When I doubt my writing, I listen to Abba and if things are going wrong, I listen to Francesca. I mean really, how can you be in a bad mood if words are pouring out of you, your head is bopping, and your body is swaying? I definitely can’t.
Music helps me through my pain from fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. I am working on a writing project about how to persevere while suffering either from mental or physical pain. Music doesn’t take away pain, but it can distract you to give you blissful moments of peace. I haven’t done any research yet, but I have come across articles about music helping the elderly and using it for therapy. I love the idea.
Last night as I was reading about King David for a writing project, I came across an exciting section. King Saul hadn’t been listening to God so “The spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and he was tormented by an evil spirit sent by the Lord” 1 Samuel 16:14. Saul was going through some serious self-induced suffering. One of Saul’s servants recommended he send for a harpist. He took the suggestion. “Whenever the spirit from God seized Saul, David would take the harp and play, and Saul would be relieved and feel better, for the evil spirit would leave him” 1 Samuel 16:23.
I do have to mention that it is a bit disturbing that God sent the evil spirit which really is a topic for a different blog. But for thousands of years, people have used music to heal. Before King David became King, he healed King Saul with his music. Today I know I will have a great day even with my daughter going into surgery (simple tooth stuff). I have listened to my music and this evening I get the pleasure of attending a concert at our local high school. Of course, my son will be my favorite of all the musicians playing. He plays a wicked (I mean this in the good sense) tenor and baritone saxophones. So go out and listen to some music. Right now I have Toby Mac playing.
Blessings to you all.
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