is for music
I love this quote by Berthold Auerbach:
“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
Isn’t that a beautiful way to think about self-care as well? And music is definitely one of those handy items in a well-stocked self-care toolkit.
Music can provide be nourishing on all kinds of levels, whether it encourages you into frenzied dancing that releases energy or quiets you into stillness, or any myriad of things between.
I have pretty eclectic tastes in music, but today I wanted to mention a few things I love that nurture and nourish me that you may not know about.
- A couple months ago I stumbled upon Auset/Amy Rohn of Awaken2Light. One of her offerings is what she calls a Soul Song, a harp composition she creates based on your name and tapping into your energy. You can read more about it here, but here’s a minute-long SoulSong_clip so you can get a taste.
- Kim Loftis is another musician, among other things, doing Spirit-based work. She creates what she calls Prayersongs and can create a custom song for you. There’s more info here, but I’ve also created a minute-long clip so you can hear a sample of my Prayersong_My Shining Star_clip as well.
- I thought it would be fun to offer one other example of music on rotation here in my world. I had no idea what to pick so I simply closed my eyes and made a random choice. And what came up was Chloe Goodchild’s Fierce Wisdom album. She has three songs on this album that are based on Coleman Bark’s translations of Rumi poems. You can listen to clips of all the songs on the CD Baby website.
Here’s a photo, albeit less than wonderful, of a Brian Andreas piece I have hanging in my studio with a quote that seem appropriate for today.
“She seemed to move everywhere dancing and music followed her like leaves on the wind.”
And finally, because it’s Tuesday and that means the Artysville Glue It Tuesday salon is welcoming sticky fingers and their friends to come visit, here’s my offering. I had an amazing dream last night where everyone got a chance to choose what object they wanted to use for transportation. Wow – there were some pretty creative choices, and I certainly feel like I have fodder for months of thought! But it reminded me of a vintage postcard I had in my stash, and it, too, felt like the perfect choice for today. So I included it on a journal page.
Now what about you… What role does music play in your self-care? Is there a song or album or artist that is a must for you? And if you had to use something music-related as your mode of transportation, what would it be? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
Music is one of my favorite things! What an awesome idea to make a music-tribute post.
I listen to music, collect music, and include a Youtube music clip in my blog posts whenever relevant. Side note: I met a brand new elementary school music teacher today!
Oh yay for the music love! And how fun you met a school music teacher today. They’re becoming such rare birds these days it feels like this should be celebrated as a special sighting.
I never thought about music as self care but yes, I can see where it would be. It definitely sets the mood when I paint or workout. In those situations I need something with a beat that moves me outside of myself, either world music or good old fashioned hard hitting rock ‘n roll. Springsteen!
I’m also a big fan of Gregorian chant or classic high church liturgical music. Puts me in a whole ‘nother space.
Yes, that’s a great way to describe it – transporting you to another space. And when you’re trying to align with an energy/vibration/state that is optimal to your self (which is what self-care really is) then music can be a perfect tool.
Music is so powerful! It can trigger memories as if they happened yesterday, it soothes the soul, makes us FEEL! Music is definitely self care! Very nice post!
I was thinking about that the other day – how curious and utter fascinating our memories seem to get filed and cross-referenced with other other things – like music and especially scent for me, or often the quality of light. It’s like we can pull on any one of those strings and follow the trail.
Deborah, I’ve enjoyed seeing what self-care practices you’ve been pairing with the letter of the day. 🙂
Music as self care ….. ahhh, yes! And loved the new-to-me quote by Berthold Auerbach.
Thanks Debbie. I really love that quote as well.
I listen to Pandora radio while creating. I can choose what station I want to listen to according to my mood.
I would choose a cello as its vibrational energy soothes and calms me.
Your post today is very inspirational. Thank you.
I love Pandora too – it’s great to have options and discover new things as well. I understand what you mean about the cello. I really delight in electric cello music and Jami Sieber and Matthew Schoening are faves.