Music Therapy

Research shows that music has the greatest ability to stimulate the brain more than anything else the body can sense, which is why many hospitals use music therapy on brain trauma patients to help them recover.

You don't have to suffer a massive head injury, though, to experience the therapy that a good song can bring. Any one song has the power to conjure up feelings and experiences from your past, all of which shaped you into the person you are today. It can remind you of when you overcame a dark period in life. It can flash you back to one of your happiest times. And I think it's important we always remember where we've come from and understand how blessed we truly are.

For me, anytime I hear Johnny Cash, I recollect waking up to the smell of coffee at 6:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning at MeeMaw and PawPaw's house, who happen to be two heroes of mine.

I become giddy when I hear The Beatles "Twist and Shout". I remember being six-years-old and dancing like a maniac with my mom, dad and Gina in the living room on 22o Ivy Street. Like my parents did, I plan to teach my kids the valuable lesson that sometimes life just calls for a little bun-shaking.

Boyz II Men reminds me of middle school awkwardness and makes me grateful that my braces are gone and no one can ever ground me again.

My heart sinks a little when I hear the first few lines of "1979" by Smashing Pumpkins as I recall a dark time in high school when I felt more alone than I can describe. But by the end of the song, as Billy Corrigan sings louder and the tempo increases and the guitars drive harder and the drums roll faster, I'm reminded of a few new friends who loved me unconditionally and walked with me as I found meaning for my life.

And every time I hear U2's Bono sing "Where The Streets Have No Name", I'm reminded that I am a totally different person than I used to be, that I have so much to live and die for, and that God loves me tremendously.

Anything by Nickel Creek takes me back to when Chris and I started dating. I recall how we wore out every single one of their CDs as we listened to them everywhere we drove. Twice we've given each other concert tickets as birthday presents. We even played one of their songs at our wedding. And it was a bittersweet day as Chris and I attended their last concert last November.

When you think about it, it's amazing how different songs can conjure up old memories. It's good to remember where we've come from and the events that have shaped us. When our mind's eye is fixed on the many ways we've been blessed, it radically impacts the way we go through life.

As I'm challenged to remember where I've come from and where I'm going in life, I challenge you likewise. Maybe start by popping in an old CD. For some of you, turn the dial on your new iPod. And others may need to revert back to the old, what do you call them, record players? After all, couldn't we all use a little music therapy?

Love.

Randi