The Soundtrack of Our Lives

     For each one of us, there are songs we associate with the most memorable times of our lives.  Sometimes, with just the mere mention of a song’s title, or upon hearing a few bars of its tune, we become overwhelmed with emotion.

     Music is a precious gift we share, when reminiscing about these events in our lives, and when living the moments, from day to day, and year-to-year.  Happy or sad, momentous or regrettable, when we hear the words, the melodies, or the music, we are, at once, transported to the places, feelings and experiences of these moments, if only in our hearts and minds. Perhaps, it was a popular tune from a certain year.  Perhaps, its words held a very special or personal significance at that time, in our lives.  Music is often the backdrop to events unfolding in our own lives, in the lives of those we love, and in the world, at large.

     Music speaks to the soul.  It can be rousing or oppressive.  It can stir great feelings deep inside us.  Music can take us soaring to the highest heights, or bring us down, to the depths of despair.  It can inspire us or bring us to our knees.  Memories come to life, anew, when we recall them to the soundtrack of our lives. It is a powerful metaphor for all we are experiencing, on this journey, called living. Music adds such dimension, much nuance and great meaning to our lives.  It enables us to think and feel more deeply, to connect with people, and to associate the words and feelings of others, with the words and feelings we have, for ourselves. Through music, we express our joy, our pain, our triumphs and our defeats.  We grow stronger, as human beings, through this compelling medium.  Music creates a bond that goes well beyond the familiar and the known.  It binds us to humanity, and cements our place in this world.  We need be still, just long enough, to let it strike a chord deep within us, and let the strings of our hearts play the most beautiful melody of all!