Looking back on my childhood I can’t remember many memories that didn't include music. Growing up, my mother exposed me to all different genres of music. She never discriminated, from Motown greats to Country superstars, I was raised on it all. Music played a huge part in my development as an individual and opened my eyes to all cultures.

It has been said that music makes the world go round, it connects countries and people. Music provides a common ground for all nations and some of the most peaceful movements have been inspired because of music. It brings people from all different backgrounds together and unites them for a common purpose of appreciating the music.

When I’m sad, happy, angry and everything in between I turn to music. I have playlists for all kinds of emotions and moments in my life. I listen to all genres in part because of my childhood, I have playlists for different activities in my day like driving, doing homework, walking to class and everything in between. Sometimes, I feel like my life could have a soundtrack all its own.

My favorite types of memories revolve around music, I love going to concerts and that's where most of my money ends up going. I much prefer the live versions of songs, there is something completely magical about being in the moment and enjoying the atmosphere of going to a concert. It’s true that you can feel the music, you feel the bass pumping through your system long after the concert is over, and the adrenaline high that’s left is probably better than anything else. I love when people want to talk music while I may not be musically talented I do like to believe that I have a decent taste in music and when my friends ask for recommendations I could go on for hours about what to listen to. One of the highest compliments I’ve received is that I have a great taste in music.

Music inspires, it heals, it changes lives. Music brings tears to eyes, it brings laughter and joy to someone's life, music frames a memory and provides a soundtrack to life. My soundtrack would include not only the classics that I was raised on but also songs that have been popular in my life, songs that have a memory attached to them, songs that make me feel and make me think.

Listening to music is important but there's a clear difference between listening and experiencing music. When you experience music you experience not only the lyrics but what they actually mean, you hear every chord on the guitar, every beat of the drum, you feel every part of the song. When you experience music you experience life and the life of the artist, what the artist is trying to convey and you connect with that artist through their words.

Music has saved my life on more than one occasion when I feel like I’m drowning music has been a life raft. Music has been such a huge part of my life and I can’t imagine how silent my world would be without it.