Don’t we all need to escape from life at times? Those times.. when we become too overwhelmed with the circumstances, situations, problems and just need to escape. Everyone has his own. Some smoke, some drink, some meditate, some go for a walk with nature, some bond with their pets, some day dream .. to each his own . My go to is – listening to music. Have you ever tried it ? Not when you are in the mood for it, or have the time to relax with music, but when you actually need to escape from an overwhelming situation, when the brain refuses to co-operate further, and simply needs a break.
I read somewhere – ‘Where words fail, music speaks’. Another one – ‘Music stays, when everyone leaves’. Music has become my soothing balm for all the stress in life. In the evening, with the mind still restless with the rush of different thoughts about the day at work going through it, when I sit on the back seat of my car to head home, after the first few minutes of restlessness, my attention goes to the music playing in the car. It is one of the yester year’s classics and slowly, my nerves are calmed and I find myself being transported to another world, the world of romance, longing, friendship, separation… all kinds of emotions tugging at my heart. Don't we all have songs that instantly bring us back to moments or memories when we hear them even years later? I roll down the window to take in the cool breeze, and see the beautiful play of colours in the sky as the sun is going down. I rest my head on the seat, eyes closed, listen to the beautiful songs on my playlist one after the other, my mind and body totally relaxed now, feeling all the tensions ebb away. This is what music does to me. It’s like therapy.
At other times too, music comes to my rescue. When I am very much excited or nervous about an upcoming presentation, or a difficult project, or something grand at home, and my heart seems to be beating faster than usual, I just put on the earphones and listen to some fast music at high volume. It puts everything off for a few moments. As my mind coordinates with the beats, my heart too follows the rhythm and slowly gets back to normal ! It’s sheer magic. Do it yourself to believe it! And if you are having trouble falling asleep, listen to some soothing music. That is why I keep a set of earphones at every place you could think of. In my purse, my car, my desk in the office, my bedside table.. everywhere.
The power of music is unlimited. Makeups or breakups - music is always a part of it! After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.
Music has the power to change your Life. Try it!
The writer is Chief Manager (HR ) in CMPDIL, Ranchi and the views expressed in the article are her own.