Listen

I went to the John Mayer concert last night. Needless to say it was incredible. I absolutely love concerts. There is something about the sound and the gathering of so many people that is absolutely breathtaking. And there is this one huge thing in common—no matter how different you are, everyone is more or less there to for one reason: to hear and enjoy the music. I think sound is one of the most incredible things… and it can reveal so much. It’s an art all in itself. If you just listen to everything around, there is a constant sound that we many times ignore, but it’s always there, keeping us company and constantly surrounding us.

When I was in France last summer, we went to eat at a restaurant where everything is completely black and you can’t see anything. The experience is meant to make you see (or should I say feel?) the world in a different way, because once your sight is gone, all other senses become that much more enhanced. All of a sudden, you’re not only listening, but you’re almost seeing through your ears. When I was eating, I lost track of everything. Since I could not see anything I just listened, I stayed quiet and listened to everything. I became a bit desperate too- longing for my sight back, even so that I had to step out of the darkness and into the bathroom where I gathered myself once again. Before I used to think that if I had to choose between being deaf or blind, I would definitely pick deaf, but after that experience I was not so sure.

But back to the point: The feeling I get when I am involved in a piece of music, or sound (like a speech) that I really like is incredible. There is something about sound that is just so comforting and pleasing. And as my friend Hannah said, “Music is the thing that unites the whole world”. The way music can be used to express emotions or convey a specific feeling is incredible and when you share that experience with someone else, there is such a deep connection. I was sooo happy last night to say the least—the music just made me so excited and happy and I could not stop smiling. All of a sudden, everyone surrounding me was my friend and I almost lost track of my body, and I let myself go, and dance and laughed and sang, and I was completely one with the music. It was perfect.

I used to think that I wanted to go to concerts to meet the artist and go crazy, and be able to show off my autograph everywhere. But I had it all wrong….As Jason Mraz said in his blog,

“I’m not the person you want to meet. The music is. And the music is alive in you as much as it is in me. We created it together. Therefore, you already know me. We’ve already hugged and kissed. We grew close for a moment and then said our goodbyes. 
It took my breath away.”

Now that I realize that I have a whole new appreciation for music, especially when it is live. And by letting myself go and submerging myself in the sound I get taken into another world, where all my emotions are so enhanced and perfect. Not only that but I feel one with everything around me. It is such an amazing experience.

You are the music while the music lasts. 

-T.S. Eliot