Passionate Theme of the Day: Music

Avid readers of my blog or newsletter know I’m a music junkie. As a “coach” I suppose I shouldn’t have addictions, but music IS the one thing I can’t do without. It feeds me, gives me energy, speaks to my soul and can help me express myself in ways that words alone cannot.

I came across Duane Shinn’s article, Music Therapy: Can Music Really Soothe the Savage Beast? Loaded with interesting info on how music heals the heart, mind, body and spirit. Here’s a little nibble…

"More recently, scientists have been studying the effects of music therapy and have documented changes in respiratory rates, blood pressure, and pulse in response to musical stimuli. Likewise, researchers in the realm of music therapy have found that the use of music therapy can be effective in areas as diverse as IQ and recovery rates, pain management and weight loss."

Having a soundtrack for your life adds so much good juju! (I’m stealing your word KT & Jason). Why is it that a song can take you back in time within the first few bars of a familiar melody? Instantly transporting us back to the who, what, where, when, why and how it all went down.

Music IS energy. And everything IS energy. I was recently introduced to the work of Dr. David Hawkins, author of the book Power vs. Force (thanks to coach Mary in The Power of Inner Choice). Hawkins says “everything in the universe is made up of energy, including humans.” All things have an “energy pattern” or “energy vibration” that can be measured. That vibration carries a “distinct emotional aura or atmosphere”. Mary asks, if you’ve ever been emotionally moved by a photograph or picture? How about walking into someone’s home or a building? Have you every “felt” the energy? I do. ALL the time!

What’s this got to do with what you’re spinning in your iPod or blaring in your car? LOTS!! If everything is energy, than the vibration of the music you listen to has a more profound impact on you than you think. Example, I have this friend, his mood is often pretty melancholy. I realized - he listens to melancholy music - ALL the time! So which came first? His melancholy mood or is his music selection having an effect on his demeanor?

So if music is energy, then we are directly impacted by whatever energy the musician or musicians put into the piece as they created it! How amazing is that!? We are impacted each time we listen to a song. Think about how different you feel if you listen to a piece of Miles Davis or Billie Holliday vs. Zeppelin or the Stones. Check out the contrast between Coldplay and an acoustic Dave Matthews set. I remember the first time I took a ride on Moby’s Play or got swept away by the poetic singer/songwriter Martin Sexton. 

Think about how much music impacts you on a daily basis. Radio, TV commercials, the TV shows themselves all have soundtracks now. Hollywood uses music to move us through a film or an event. To evoke emotion and push our buttons. I write this as a reminder that you have a CHOICE in everything that you do. Listen to music that nurtures your spirit.

Be aware of what “soul food” you’re noshing on. Music is an experience. It can ehance everyday moments like cleaning your house, taking a walk, playing with your kids, road tripping across state lines, or making love.

Let’s LISTEN to music. Not just let it wash over us. Let’s not become so desensitized that we actually get attacked by musical energy vampires. Music is energy. Words are a delicacy. Remember...you are what you eat.

What kind of music fills you up? What sources of musical energy raise your vibration and inspire you?

Music soothes these savage beasts,
Kam