In the words of Bob Marley, one good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. That is one good thing- but music is everything. In fact, when people say, I’m not a music person, I don’t exactly understand the kind of person they are at all.
Have you no soul?!
Do you ever wake up on the wrong side of the bed, get into your car to drive to work, and playing on the radio is your jam? Your day just got instantaneously better. That’s the power of music. In that way, music for me is transformative.
Music is the nostalgia of your first love- it’s your first song, or the song that was playing gently in the background as you were breaking up in the car parked outside of your childhood home. Music is a holder of memories and it can be the source of both happiness and in some cases, moments we wish to forget.
When I was diagnosed with lupus I drowned myself in music. At that time I had just discovered Modest Mouse and I could listen to their CD, Good News for People who Love Bad News, on repeat. I was a wallowing teenager who wanted to be swallowed by the unidentifiable sounds and instruments of a band that told me we’ll all float on, alright when I needed to hear it the most.
When I’m feeling as though, today, I just can’t _______, I give myself a simple reminder…
One good song will give you one good cry. Three good songs may even make you forget, even if temporary.
Maybe you need to cleanse your mind so you listen to Jack Johnson.
You want to go harder? Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Empowered? Beyonce.
Feel good and fun? Matt & Kim.
Music is limitless. At times, it has consumed my whole being, and I swear can feel the sensation reverberating off of my bones and become absorbed into my soul. I believe that’s what Bob Marley meant when he said that it hits you. While the pain doesn’t dissipate, it quiets.