Using Music to Nourish Your Soul

I Love Music... it's an essential part of my life and my being. It creates comfort, boosts my energy, calms me down, brings me joy, soothes my sorrows, sparks memories, takes me back in time... Like many of us, I subscribe to a streaming service that allows me to access all kinds of music, explore new artists, and create my own playlists of favorites that I can go back to. All of this is amazing!

​But I was reminded recently (by Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead in an interview with Terry Gross) of how music is experienced differently when we’re listening to the same piece repeatedly – how we notice different nuances each time – the depth of the music is revealed a little more as we continue to listen, because so much of our experience with music is based on our mood in that moment, what activity we’re engaged in, and how much attention we’re paying to the song.

Since then, I’ve been taking some time to look back over my old archives of music… you know… the stuff I bought on cassette, record or CD. I was reflecting that when music wasn’t digital, we digested it very differently than we do today. I would listen to an album over and over again, learn the songs intimately, and know exactly what to put in the music player depending on what I needed from my music in that moment of time.

These days, I’m much more apt to head on over to my streaming service and pick a compilation of songs, many of whom I may never have heard before. And even if something sparks my interest, if I don’t stop in the moment and make note of the song (which I usually don’t) then it’s gone, and I may or may not hear it again.
 
Now I’m not saying one way of experiencing music is better than the other. I think they both have their amazing attributes and both have drawbacks as the user. But it’s been fun to notice over the last couple of weeks as I go back and forth between these modes of my experience and how it’s enhanced or not.
 
Ok… so you may be thinking, “Kia, this is great, but seriously… random conversation here!” And yes, it is. But I couldn’t help it. Today I was searching through my albums of old and came across something I hadn’t listened to in decades! And I’ll be honest… I’ve been rocking out at my desk ever since (seriously… I’m currently on song #13 of the album). What is it you ask? Arrested Development: 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of… And guess what!? The songs are still awesome! Plus, it makes me feel like I’m back in college again (ok… maybe not quite… you get what I’m saying).

Do you have a favorite way you like to use music in your life? An album or artist of old that you haven’t experienced in a while? Drop yours in the comments… let’s make a music thread and revive some old favorites!