Redemption Song…
Ayesha G. Shenk, M.A.
Live Meaningfully – By Ayesha G. Shenk, M.A.
As many of you know, I am married to a musician. He’s in the midst of recording some new songs for release and it has been the ‘soundtrack’ of our home recently. He’s incredibly talented and the kids and I relish the rare times that we actually get to hear him record from the studio. Music is a pretty profound piece of our life and it is the subconscious touchstone to which we all return.
Which got me thinking and noticing something today…
I cannot tell you how often music plays a part in my (and I dare say, ‘our’ collective) lives. In the last 48 hours alone: I have had a client reference a song that brought her pain, another client reference a song with which he was able to soothe himself, a third client describe the music she wanted at her wedding, a friend discuss the music that was so important that her mother requested it be played at her memorial while she was on her deathbed, another friend who sent me a video of her dancing with her children to their current favorite song… and on and on.
Music punctuates the most important moments of our lives. It brings back a feeling or harbors a memory. It swells an emotion already in us or offers a bridge to finding one. It creates gateways to our past and milestones in our present… But, no matter what, it always – always – gives us a feeling. Minor chords make us sad, major chords offer joy, from Mozart to The Stones, Frank Sinatra to Metallica, there is an unending river of options. There is something for everyone and the right something has a way of finding us.
So in a rather unprecedented and rather esoteric offering – I’ll say this.
Imagine if you were sitting on the dock of the bay just trying to figure out life with a little help from your friends. Hopefully, Like a Rolling Stone, you would gather no moss, but instead find within yourself the One true and important part of life. Love, love, love, love, crazy love…
People get ready to Imagine the possibilities of Somewhere Over the Rainbow where Mr. Blue Sky and Bohemian Rhapsody unite. We could live with only Good Vibrations and, Hallelujah, what a relief it would be to allow ourselves the time and space to be true and free. Whether for you, music is Like a Prayer or it offers a Bridge Over Troubled Water, take the time and space to listen – really notice the lyrics you’re writing in your story and the music you’re playing in the background. Are you living a life in which the soundtrack would rise and swell or slowly play out the scene with the despair of strings. Yesterday may have felt hard to lose and Somedays may feel like you’re searching all along the watchtower, but if you find your Stairway to Heaven, you you’ll feel compelled to be Dancing in the Streets. Whether you feel Born to Run or are on your own Escapade, the meaning of it all is connection and finding Your Song.
Find it, write it, sing it, dance to it, send it to a friend, punctuate the big moments… but allow it entry to make an impact on you the way only art can.
Till the next time,
Be Well; Live Meaningfully.
Ayesha
Ayesha G. Shenk, M.A. practices at 2150 Park Avenue North as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and can be reached at www.livemeaningfully.net or 407-796-2959.
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