Have you ever heard the saying "The eyes are the window to the soul" If this is true then music is the doorway to the soul. While the eyes may allow you to glimpse what lies in a persons soul, music is a direct conduit to the interior.
At work I have been listening to a lot of Pandora during the day. I have slowly been refining my list and feel like it has taken me to a special spot. While listening to the music I find myself filled with hopes, dreams, desires, and reflection. For example take this line:
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...-John Lennon 1971
Still a poignant reminder that the world is full of violence and war all in the name of countries whom may or may not represent the people that live within their border, which themselves are only imaginary lines on a map. Do you really think ithe people of Lhasa really wanted to be part of the People's Republic?
Another line that I love:
I gave up coffee and cigarettes
I hate to say it hasn’t helped me yet
I thought my problems would just dissipate
And all my pain would be in yesterday- Michelle Featherstone
It reminds me that you can destroy the outward signs of the things that are affecting your life, but unless you address the underlying problem then the pain will still be there. And finally the last line for today
In Catholic school as vicious as Roman rule
I got my knuckles bruised by a lady in black
And I held my tongue as she told me
"Son fear is the heart of love"
So I never went back-Death Cab for Cutie
I think about this line a lot and how it relates to parenting. Some people think that you can only be an authority figure to your children and some think that you should only be their friend. Now I don't claim to be an expert but I think that it has to be a blend of both worlds. If to much to the authority side then you have kids who lie and sneak, to much to the friends side and you have unruly hellions battling the prospect of teen pregnancy. My thought are to let you children know that you will be there best friend but they have to abide by the rules laid out. I think respect on both sides equals a relationship that is beneficial for all.
So find yourself a hope, a dream, or a reflection. Its waiting for you in a song.