The Power of Music

William Congreve said, “Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast (sometimes beast), to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.”

Sometimes I wax philosophical, usually after a couple of drinks. There are times, however, I get deep without the aid of good bourbon and in the most unlikely places. For example, Monday morning driving to work.

I’m not a morning person. Never have been. Never will be. If I could work 10-5 and get paid for 8 hours, I would be in seventh heaven. Alas, my employer isn’t as enlightened, so I am on the road at 7:30 more grumpy than any cat could ever imagine. Road rage runs amok. My brow tightens into a frown so intense it hurts. I swear at the radio. I bitch and complain out loud to no one. I am not a happy camper nor do I wish to pretend that I am. Then it happens. A song comes on the radio that instantaneously calms my soul.

I marvel at the power of music.

“What’s the deal, God?” I asked. Understand, God and I are great buddies. I ask him many things, because, after all, inquiring minds want to know. In addition, my curiosity keeps Him on his toes. Sometimes He answers, but secretly I think He finds great amusement in most of my inquires and is more-than-likely chuckling into his morning coffee. This morning, He didn’t answer right away so I re-phrased the question.

“Did you plan it this way, God? When you created all that is, did your blueprints include notes, beats, treble clefs, harmonies, major and minor keys, or did you throw Man into the mix and say, “Let them figure it out? If the latter is true, how proud you must be! You must wonder at times, ‘What’s the deal with Man?’ I mean, we are capable of such hatred and violence, it must break your heart. Yet the flip side is just as true. Man paints beautiful pictures. Man’s written words inspire and motivate. Man writes music that transcends the soul. So, I ask again. Did you plan it that way?”

Another thing you must understand, when God talks to me, it’s in my own voice. It’s a more powerful, authoritative voice that comes swift and silent, but it’s still me. I don’t need to wonder about this. The answer came to me one philosophical late night with Jack Daniels on my breath. It’s because I’m made in His image which means my higher self is Godlike, thus His voice is mine. Too deep for y’all? Drink a shot of bourbon, it really helps. Anyway, His answer comes in a still, small voice:

“Ruthie.” (He has always called me Ruthie.) “Ruthie, you knew the answer before it was asked. Mothers sing to babies in the womb, rock them to sleep with soothing lullabies. Didn’t you sing hymns to your dying cat? Music inspires. Music calms. Can bring tears to your eyes and memories to mind. Music says things the heart feels that the tongue can never explain. Music inspires, invigorates, and motivates, transcends the soul to higher realms.

“Music is love. So am I. Anymore questions?”

I am a writer. Music plays an important part in my writing process. When searching for descriptions of certain emotions or deeper internalization, I put-in a favorite CD. Beautiful soft, moving music soothes my inner beast, quiets the mind, wraps my soul in tranquil, harmonious peace, and the words flow.

So, did God really plan all of this? Hmm . . . what do you think?

But, seriously God. Rap? What were you thinking?