Music

I have always been attracted to musical people. My wife is one who sings very well and also plays the piano, better than I do though I think she doubts her own abilities. I have had numerous friends that have also been musically inclined and a few who are particularly gifted. One in particular, the former Amy Dalton, writes for the online publication Polite Society Magazine. I have read her articles and it is clear her feelings on music transcend the mere senses and limitations of the corporeal being. I agree with her, it reaches to the very soul in ways that few other influences can. It is no wonder that music is so often a major part in setting moods in films, plays, and in other artistic expressions.

Many use faster paced, rhythmically rapid music to get up, get energized and move through their day.  Others when energized, even with a negative energy, prefer a more calming pace which soothes feelings and allows their body movements to slow down and calm themselves. The heart even mimics the movement as much as the body does. I have so wanted to listen to more music all of the time and not at the behest of others but voluntarily on my own. I like to close up in my own world and can do so easily, even in a crowd of other people. However, with music I can almost turn off the existence of almost all else. At times it takes a firm poke or vigorous shake to bring me back to reality. Many think I was ignoring them. I just tell them that I wasn't really there.

Both sides of the eternal struggle for the souls of man have capitalized on the effect that music has upon the spirits of men. It takes a strong will to withstand the effects of music and stronger still to counter those effects with an opposing one when the effects are less than desirable. Some, in their places of work, are subjected to music that is less than preferable but their assignments make leaving the poor environment impossible. Asking for such music to be changed is often met with not only resistance but snide derision for such prudish preferences in music. As much uplifting music is religious in nature, it is often banned because of the religious element, even when no element of "establishment of religion" is at risk. Truly good is very much considered evil and evil good today.

I think of myself and how my moods evolve through the day. Music often affects those moods and can bring them back to a level and normal range when overemotional. My mind drifts to the statement to Cain in the Bible about a fallen countenance. For a long time, I did not really understand the full meaning of the word, "countenance" As I have grown older and have experienced wide ranges of emotion I have come to know the greater meaning of the term. One's countenance is that intangible expression of their being that their face, even their entire body radiates. When one is happy serene calm and full of love for ones neighbor, an energetic glow seems to emanate from their countenance. They attract those of like condition and among their friends, they are contemporaries. Diametrically, one who is arrogant, self-centered, argumentative, naive as to why no one else seems to agree with them has a shrunken, powerless countenance. It amazes the eye of the beholder, that such a being can even generate enough energy to keep their own lives together much less influence mankind for the good of all. It is about these people that the Bible also says "the love of men shall wax cold" it is in the countenance that this is most visibly pronounced.

Music has a profound affect on the countenance. When one has listened to rap music, you can feel the anger, hatred and vitriol that has emanated from the music through to the soul of the listener. As a result, there now exists a generation beyond the demographics of race that spend much of their time angry, with no real direct cause. That angry emotion has swept through their being and have left them with an anxious feeling of discontent and disenfranchisement tot he point where they feel wronged when perhaps even the themes and storyline of the music may be entirely fictitious.

Gladly though, their is a peaceful calmness in music that can be capitalized on, even utilized to tune one's spirit to the natural vibrations from the light of Christ, tuning one's soul to the whisperings of the Spirit often so clearly, that it becomes easy and familiar to hear and follow the promptings of such a voice. Unfortunately, the rude shock of reality can blur that influence and taint the calmness, that those periods are frighteningly rare. To one who continues to listen for it though, and strives to maintain the connection, it will always remain, even in the darkest of abysses.