A Trip Down Melody Lane
Some people enjoy music and some people don’t. I can say for certain that I am among those who do. Music has had a strong presence in my life for a very long time. I grew up in a church with a big worship band, that of which included both of my parents. My mom is a singer and my dad is a guitar player. The band got smaller as the years went by, but I eventually joined in as a singer with my mom, making it a family affair!
Aside from church, I have always enjoyed music on my own as well. If someone were to ask me what my favorite genre or song was, there would be no way for me to answer. I love almost everything, from gospel, to rock, to disco, to country, to soul, and to a mix of it all. I listen to music basically whenever I can – in the car, while I’m getting ready, and even when I’m studying. Some people need to have complete silence to study or do homework, but I am one of those people who fits the scenario that some studies suggest is true – that music improves cognitive performance. And I truly believe it does.
Whenever I am doing Math, I like to listen to oldies rock, all thanks to my awesome high school math teacher, Mark Lowther, who would always play everything from Queen to The Beatles while we were in class. When doing English, I like to listen to classical piano or jitterbug. For science, it’s violin, specifically by artist Lindsey Stirling.
Discovering how these different genres fit into my studying has helped tremendously. Plus, listening to music while studying simply relives the stress a bit as well. Music just has so many benefits, there’s too many to list. Music provides an escape for those who need one, it uplifts the mood of those feeling down, it connects us, relates to us, and so much more.
When I was a part of the Grants High School golf team, I used to get really terrible anxiety and even what seemed like panic attacks while on the way to my golf tournaments. After I started to play, everything was fine. But that buildup before the tournament was just awful. The only thing that could calm my nerves was to listen to music on the bus on the way there. Specifically, the song “I Need You More” by Kim Walker-Smith would really help. I even once asked my coaches if it would be okay for me to bring my MP3 Player along with me on the course and I would just put one headphone in. They were all for it but unfortunately, there were rules against it. After graduating though, I did notice that playing golf was a lot more enjoyable with music.
Music also has the ability to encompass some of our most treasured memories. Some songs remind us of our loved ones that passed, our first dance, our wedding, a happy time in our lives, et cetera. For example, the “Macarena” brings back joyful memories of my big sister’s wedding. “Here Comes The Sun” by The Beatles reminds me of when I was a kid and used to watch The Parent Trap on road trips. “Happy Day” by Tim Hughes brings to mind car rides where my mom, sister, and I would sing together. So many joyful memories and feelings are elicited just by hearing these songs again.
If you think about it, us music lovers have our own plentiful source of dopamine, the “happy hormone”, right at our fingertips and with the press of a button. So when you’re feeling down, play one of your favorite songs and just try to bring to mind what made that song special to you in the first place. If you feel misunderstood, listen to a song that talks about how you feel. If you’re missing a loved one that has passed on, listen to a song that reminds you of them. When you’re going through a mental battle, pull out your favorite uplifting/worship song. “Raise A Hallelujah” by Bethel Music says it best: “My weapon is a melody.” A melody full of memories, full of power, and full of whatever you need it to be.
God bless, Cibola!