for THE LOVE OF MUSIC

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said: "Music is the universal language of mankind"

 

Music may bridge the cultural divide: a study has shown that regardless of culture or previous exposure, people were accurately able to recognize three emotions in Western music - happiness, sadness and fear.(Music really is a universal language by Karen Sprey)
So that makes it officially official. It's the universal language.  As if most of us didnt already know that or suspect it anyway. 
Music has a voice of it's own that exceeds any other medium. It allows you to visualize a complete story filled with emotion exactly how you want to see it. It allows for your own interpretation, unbiased or without prejudice.  
Look at music alone, without the influence or direction of lyrics, and still there is an incomparable story that unfolds. Based on tempo, volume, and instruments it creates a unique experience not only heard but also felt. You know the old expression: "Let the music wash over you".  
Moods can be enhanced or destroyed by the simple sounds created with music. I recently had a friend going through a divorce and was depressed and feeling alone. I introduced him to the songs of a fairly new artist and within days, his attitude was of healing. He told me the music and lyrics gave him renewed strength and opened his eyes to what was ahead instead of trying to find what was lost in his life. That is what brought me to these thoughts today. 
I recognized in myself the joy I find in my favorite artists.  While we all have our discerning likes in the kind of music, we still all have the same basic results. Music is my medicine when I am sick with the things the world dumps in my lap. It is my healer during times of sorrow or hurt. Music is my partner  encouraging me through my workouts and my sidekick as I'm driving down the road. 
There is not one day that passes in which I do not have a song playing. Tonight I had a revelation. My love for the melodies has been passed to my children. My daughter brought home music from the 50's and 60's and can actually sing along with most of them. She loves the old albums I have from the 70's. And conversely, I find many songs and artists from today that I enjoy and you may find me one day driving down the road with the windows down, music blaring on the radio, and if you can catch a listen, you might even hear me singing along with my sidekick.... :)