Two years ago I got my first tattoo. Three tiny black music notes etched onto my inner wrist. A constant reminder that no matter how lost I may feel or how chaotic times can become, I will always have music.
I'm fueled by music. Bad day? There is nothing The Weepies or Ed Sheeran can’t make better. Need to write a paper? Max Richter or Chopin are excellent writing choices. On days when I'm pumped and excited about what life has to offer, I am the Fall Out Boy songs or the Smallpools of the world. When the anxious thoughts take over my head and I'm feeling weighed down by life, I am Luke Sital-Singh or Daughter.
Growing up I didn't attend concerts that often. It wasn't until my sophomore and junior year that I discovered how much comfort there is in attending concerts. The minute the opening band starts, I get lost. Suddenly everyday stresses don't matter. While the music plays, the anxious thoughts disappear. I don't have to think; I just get to sing the lyrics at the top of my lungs and dance.
I know I'm not the only one who feels this way. I have connected with many people, some have become my closest friends, because of music. Music is a therapy. For some, music heals more than a dosage of Zoloft or a 60-minute therapy session.
The other weekend this changed. Thursday night I was dancing to a Fleetwood Mac DJ group, and as I fell into my bed that night my social media exploded with news that Christina Grimmie had passed away. Between the tragic events that happened at The Pulse and Christina Grimmie, the belief that music would always be a safe space was cracked. Without
I've given this much thought over the last couple of weeks. I'll admit the days after it peaked my anxiety. I could not stop thinking about how that could happen elsewhere. It sickened me that a place that is a temple to some suddenly needed to be looked at as a potential target for others. I became overwhelmed with the idea that now when I attend concerts I have to be so aware of my surroundings and other people.
But then I looked down at those tiny music notes permanently placed on my wrist and I realized now more than ever is when the universe needs music. It's a chaotic world; one where people make cruel decisions that don't make sense to us all. And it's these events that we need to turn to music to get through. It's now more than ever that I need to get lost in the lyrics and sing at the top of my lungs.
I could become scared of going to clubs or attending concerts. Or, I can look down and remind myself why I turn to the music in the first place.
So I'm going to turn the volume up loud and sing The Little Mermaid loudly while I'm at the beach. Music is therapy, and the world needs a little therapy right now.
