Everyday Music

     I was thinking today of my platform (who knew?).  I asked myself, "Why does music really matter?"  Obviously I came up with quite a few answers.  I realized however, that most of my answers were on the large scale.  I had not really thought of why music matters in our everyday lives, not just life in general.

     Have you ever realized the difference it makes in your day to wake up to an upbeat song?  Or when you are working out, to choose something with a steady beat?  Even while riding the elevator, the music is relaxing.  In almost every action of the day you can find music in it, or relate it to music.  There is a reason why music is so frequently present in our lives.  Music awakens parts of the body and soul that would otherwise go untouched.  It can affect us in many ways, as noted in the last post.  This is partly why we keep finding ourselves needing and wanting it in our everyday lives.  According to the American Cancer Society music can "relieve stress and provide an overall sense of well-being."  Our bodies literally react to the music that we are listening to or playing.

     We also use music for a variety of occasions.  It has the power to bring happiness and a sense of occasion on our birthday.  Music brings comfort at a funeral.  Weddings, graduation, even the NFL!  The list goes on and on for ways that we use music.  Most of these tunes are easily recognized by society.  When heard, they spark an idea, thought or feeling.  The two tones of Jaws will be forever the trademark for the preparation of an attack.  William Tell's overture is almost always a chase scene.  

My point is, music has a way of being an important part of our lives, without us ever realizing it.  What song makes you happiest?  What is going to make you get up and dance out of bed with a smile on your face?  What song do you sing in the shower, or belt as loud as you can in the car?  What rhythm do you tap on your legs while waiting?  Do you notice those these musical occurrences?  Think about how your day would go without those small interactions with music.  How much do those occurrences with music matter to you?