It All Began For Me At Age 4

It all began for me at age 4. 

I’ve always found solace in music. When I was young I quickly realized that the piano was non-judgemental. I got out of the piano exactly what I put into it. As a result I grew to trust the piano. Whatever emotional outlet I needed, it was always there… waiting for me.

I realize that my relationship with music may be considered unusual. However, after many years I came to understand that the way I felt when I played wasn’t about the piano. It was about how I interacted with the music (specifically the sound I was making). Music soothed my feelings if I was sad. Music was a way for me to share my joy. Above all, music was an avenue for me to feel connected with others. Music was my preferred method of sharing my most intimate thoughts and feelings without fear of being misunderstood or judged.

The great thing about music is that you don’t have to play or have talent to be able to use music as a tool to express yourself, lift your spirits or share common experiences. WIth the click of a mouse you can have access to most any music that has ever been recorded. 

Music as a resource

Understanding how music affects us transforms music from being purely an entertainment, or escape, into a tool we can use.

The trick is to: identify how you respond to different types of music and then use that knowledge to help guide your mood. It doesn’t matter what kind of music it is. The most important thing is to listen with intent. As an example: if I want to feel unbridled joy I might listen to Pharrell Williams’ “Happy”. Or a Chopin funeral march if I am grieving. The choices are limitless.

Moving to the next step

If you can identify and articulate your feelings, and trust your playlist or song to consistently deliver whatever emotion you wish to experience, music can become a non-judgmental friend who waits patiently for you to call.

For 65 years I have depended on music to help me through the bad times. There is no reason it can’t work for you too.