I love music.  Today is my daughter’s birthday, so naturally, Happy Birthday to You is playing in my mind.  Did you know this song is the most recognized song in the English language?  But, I digress. Let’s talk about music.

Music affects our physiology, our emotions, and our spiritual being.  Different genres of music can affect us differently.  For example, what do you experience when you listen to classical music versus hard rock, smooth jazz, or hip-hop?  

Do you know about the profession of music therapy?  Music therapists are highly trained practitioners that utilize music to help manage pain, reduce stress, express emotion, enhance memory, improve communication, and promote physical rehabilitation.  Wow, just look at the power of music!

One of my mentors taught me to use music to ‘anchor’ an experience.  I am betting you have experienced this, you hear a song and wham, it takes you right back to a specific time and event.  Even as I write this, the song Oh Playmate, Come Out and Play with Me plays in my mind. My mother used to sing this song to me when I was a child, and on the day of her death I sang it to her. As I replay this song in my mind now, my tears flow, and I am in the room with my mother as she dies.  Switching moods, I vividly remember listening to Best Day of My Life while dancing in my hallway at home, knowing my youngest grandchild was about to enter my life on my birthday!

Many of us use music when we need to change our mood, for example here are a few songs I listen to when I want to create a specific mood or energy.

• Best Day of My Life sung by American Authors

• Can’t Stop the Feeling sung by Justin Timberlake.

• The River sung by Garth Brooks

• Amazing Grace sung by Andrea Bocelli

• I Got a Feeling sung by Black Eyed Peas

• I Feel Good sung by James Brown

• I’ve Gotta Be Me sung by Sammy Davis Junior

• Nessun dorma sung by  Luciano Pavarotti 

I could go on and on, but you get the feeling!

Now, I invite you to share:

What song that lifts you up when you are down? 

What song that gets you moving. 

What song reminds you to be grateful?

And, hey it’s OK to sing along and even do a little dance.

Here’s to the music in you!