Music

As I mentioned the other day, I get some of my best, wonkiest, silliest, or strangest blog posts while walking {not running} then I come home and jot them down. Well a couple of weeks ago I had this thought, idea, personal opinion, or philosophy {call it what you will} enter my thoughts.  I started to write this blog that day, but somehow lots of other crazy stuff has come up and I've not had the time to finish it. I guess that's just the way life goes for me. But I've had a few moments lately, where all I do is sit and wait, which gave me time to work on this. So it's been a while coming, and you're gonna wanna pull up a comfy chair, cuz here it is and it's a long one…

I've come to the conclusion that, what is wrong with the world these days, is people have lost their passion for the arts, the arts, in general, but more specifically, music, and therefore lost touch with their souls.

 I'm sure you have all realized by now, how strongly I personally relate to music, so for the purpose of this blog post, I'm going to speak about music specifically. But the basic point relates to all art.  I do honestly believe that people have lost touch with music, in turn losing touch with part of their souls. I know this may sound a bit dramatic but I truly believe in the power of music.  Maybe that's just cuz I'm crazy in the head, my head is a very crazy and strange place to live!!  But for now, let's just pretend that I'm a perfectly normal person with a perfectly valid point.

"Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul." ~Unknown

"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent" ~Victor Hugo

{I've read this one both ways and I'm not sure which is correct but you get the meaning}

"Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent"   ~Victor Hugo

"Music gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything" ~Plato

"Music is well said to be the speech of angels, in fact, nothing among utterances allowed to man is felt to be so devine. It brings us near the infinite" ~Thomas Carlyle

"Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness "   ~Maya Angelou

If all those big thinkers believed that strongly in music, I can't be far off on my opinion!! People do not seem to have the appreciation or love of music they once did.  I believe very strongly in the power of music and that it can change the world, if we allow it too.  I feel like people used to have a greater love and respect for music, and that they've forgotten what it can do.  I don't care what your personal choice in music genre is, music of any type can give you what you need.  It is the greatest therapist there will ever be.  I know there are a lot of people out there who will debate that certain types of music, is "of the devil, or bad" I will not debate religion with anyone.  Believe what you choose and I will believe what I choose. {I'm a live and let live kind of girl}  But, what I believe is that music is a gift from the universe and that certain people have been blessed with the ability to create music. Whatever style of music they were gifted the ability to create, it's all good stuff.  I may not personally enjoy all styles of music, but I do wish everyone could find the music that moves them, and be moved by it.  Feel the music, let the music fill you, let the music speak to you, let it heal you, let it empty you of your anger, your hate, your rage, your sadness, let it heal you, and bring you joy, let it soothe your mind and give you rest, or give your mind wings. Let the music connect you to the infinite, {whatever your "infitine" might be} or help you say what you cannot say.  Music can do that, music can do ALL of that!!

Now, I know some people might say, but I'm not a good singer, I can't sing. I can't create music.  First of all, you don't have to create it, someone else already did that part for you. Be happy for them, because they were given this ability and they created something awesome to share with you.  Embrace the gift they were given, because their gift is only great, if they have someone to share it with, US!! I mean really, how great is that, they were given a gift and we all get to benefit from their abilities.  So, I say don’t let their universe given rights go to waste!!! And Secondly, who the heck cares if you can sing or not??? Let it rip anyway!! One day when my son was younger, we were driving down the road and of course the music was on and there was singing going on.  He said to me "Mommy, when you sing, you sound like Elmo!!" Seriously, Elmo from Sesame Street, some moms might have had hurt feelings over that comparison , not me, that is a compliment to my singing skills!!! YES, I am serious. I am a horrible singer!!! My husband can sing, my daughter can sing, and my son, well, he has an awesome voice, but me, I got NO skills! BUT, that does not stop me from wailing out a great song, driving down the road in the car, or in the shower!!! Singing sets your soul free, so sing it out loud!!!

The next time you are feeling angry, find some good old angry, pissed off music, pop your head phones on and embrace it.  Feel the anger, let it boil up in you, celebrate it, and then let it wash away.  Emotions are innate and harmless, it's what we do with them that can be bad.  If you embrace how you feel, really feel it, let it resonate within you, understand it, and then let it go. You will feel so much better. The same goes for sadness. Listen to some sad music, feel sad, accept that you are sad, and then let it go.  Sometimes a person just needs a good old fashion cry, or happy dance, or a fist pumping angry moment.  Whatever you emotion, music can provide an outlet for you.  If everyone could do this, think about how much better we'd all feel, and that's bound to change the world.

Music has become disposable.  People download it for free, put it on their computers or iPods for a few weeks, and then get tired of it and delete it.  This makes me sad!! There is a lot of great music of there, look for it.  Find something you love, and let it move you.  Embrace it. Listen to it loud, or quiet. Just listen, really listen, and hey maybe even go to a good show once in a while!!

I'm gonna keep sharing my goofy perspective and how the music moves me, but in the meantime, here are some pictures of the last few rock show I went to. 

Tallon, guitarist and back ground vocals for Nervz End

Ryan, lead singer for Nervz End
This is St. Patrick's Day, my husband does not usually dress like a pimp!!!
At the Ghost Town Saloon 

Tallon actually built this guitar in wood shop, his senior year in high school

Tallon does an acoustic set, with Jake Thrush, formerly the drummer for Memphis Whip

Now look closely at this picture...
This is the perfect example of people feeling the music.
They don't have a care in the world right now,
 {sure some of it could be related to green beer but not for all of them!}

More people feeling the music!!!

The band, the fans, every single soul in this building,
ALL passionate about the music
ALL left this show feeling good about life

On the right, my daughter Maddy. On the left, her friend Orion.
Beautiful girls, enjoying the show!!!

This is Tallon, Bass player for Your Favorite Saturday
yes, he is in two different bands!!

Show is at Hamilton St. Pub
Saginaw, Michigan

Yeah, he's feelin' the music!!!

Now, this is one of my ALL time favorite Rock show Pics ~even though it sucks, quality wise!!!
That crazy hair flying, suspender wearing rockin' out chick in front of me,
is my daughter, Maddy. Her and Tallon are both feelin' the music tonight!!
Now, the best part is that I'm not really a fan of this bands music, Maddy is not really a huge fan of their music, heck Tallon is not really a big fan of this style of music either.  But he loves music so much, is open minded about all styles of music, and wants to be involved in music so badly, he plays bass guitar for a band whose style he doesn't LOVE, and you'd NEVER know it!!! This picture is a perfect example of letting the music move you, letting the music free you!!!

"Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul." ~Unknown