It's not often you get to sit down after an introspective moment and write about it. Usually I am caught up in my surroundings and never get the chance to process what just happened.
I went to see the movie the Soloist. I won't ruin the movie but I will tell you its about Music, mental illness and the Homeless in LA , its very thought provoking. Its not a fast paced movie full of action or lots of CGI characters. It was made to give you the experience of walking in another persons shoes for a while. As we walked out of the theater my brother and I heard a girl say something close to " it was very boring, not like they made it look in the previews, it was very slow" I turned to my brother and said " She didn't get the message of the story at all did she" We then joked about how there weren't enough car chases or things blowing up to keep her entertained. Anyways...back on track...
Music has always been a powerful presence in my life. My parents, my Dad especially has always surrounded himself with music. I have memories of going to my Grandparents house and my Grandma always had 1400 KSTR blasting with classical music. I have countless memories of my Dad sitting in an recliner or laying on the floor with the music as loud as he dared take it, feet dancing to the beat and him often singing along. My Dad also introduced us to a large amount of Classical music. He would put on one song in particular (I am going to have to ask him the name of the song) and would lay on the floor, my siblings and I would march/dance around him in a circle, as the music would build and the tempo would increase so would our pace. Every so often my Dad would reach out and grab one of us and pull us down with him and we would all laugh and continue our dance anticipating the next lunge and grab from my Dad.
Because my Dad has music in his veins his children all have been quite musically cultured. Between my Dad's love for Classic Rock and my Mom's cravings for Country we experienced a lot of different kinds of music. (Except for the 80's that is one decade that I am still struggling to catch up on and find my own likes.) Music for me can say something much more fervently than words alone. Have you ever watched a movie with out the musical sound track? The scary scenes aren't as scary with out the shrill sound of a violin in the background. Music helps you feel things that you may miss. You can put so much emotion into music. I have a very eclectic musical library. My iTunes spans all generes, because I believe that there is a time and a place for all types of music.
In the movie tonight one of the main characters was able to not just hear the music, he could feel it. He knew that it was so much more than just a bunch of notes on a piece of paper that when played were aesthetically pleasing. They were someones emotions, someones sorrows, joy, pain or love. If you haven't experienced this, my heart aches for you. And its more than "feeling the spirit" during a musical number in Sacrament meeting.
So for this girl to say that it was a boring movie really bothered me, It made me wonder if we watched the same movie, if she was really that closed off to feeling. So tonight I am thankful for the childhood that I had, and the way that music runs in my veins as well. I hope I can teach my children, like my Dad taught me how music is an amazing thing that can get you through hard times and make the good times that much better.
5 comments:
I'm glad music runs in your veins. That's a great thing to have in your life, as a child as well as now. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I want to now that I've read your thoughts about it. :)
Interesting thoughts. I've not heard/seen this movie but you do have me intrigued. :)
Music runs in my veins as well. I've tried to teach my children about the powerfulness of music and how the spirit can be felt but also how Satan can use music to drive away the spirit and because music is so powerful, almost like a drug can make you do things you'd not normally do.
I love how quickly music can change my mood. Soothe my troubled soul, calm, and relax me. One minute I'm frantic trying to take care of "life" around me and the next, music of the spirit touches me and I am overcome by the spirit and made to realize what is important.
Music is also a healer. A healer of our bodies, minds, and spirit. Obviously it can be a destroyer as well but focusing on the healing, I know when I am sick....classical music makes me feel better.
Interesting side note which I'm sure will stir all sorts of hysteria on the subject........When Harry Potter came out we of course got and read all of the books. When the movies started to come out we bought and watched them. (The first two). One evening, I was in another room ironing clothes for church while my hubby and kids watched the first one. We'd watched it several times before. As I was ironing I couldn't see the screen but I could hear the music and as I listened to the music I became increasingly uncomfortable and felt something close to evil. I thought it was odd because we'd seen the movies several times and while watching, I had never felt that but being in another room and only hearing the music.....I was surprised at the feeling that over came me!
I just thought it was interesting....
Amen, Denae. On the nights my wife works and I'm home with the little ones on my own, I would be absolutely lost without a selection of soothing songs that I start playing for my youngest if he wakes up in the night and wants his mommy. There is one version of "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" that is particularly soothing to him.
Something I find fascinating about the power of music is how influential and moving a song can be, whether it's simply one piano/guitar/voice or whatever, or an entire orchestra and choir, simplicity and complexity each have their place and can make for amazing experiences.
Well, I completely agree with everything except that it might have been better with at least ONE blow up scene! Just kidding! You know how I feel about music. I need only agree here. I'll teach everything you need to know about the eighties.
I love your insights and information on this subject. Very thought provoking. This will not be the last time I think about this post.
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