The capacity to hear is such a wonderful gift. Whether it is the cooing of a baby or the soft calling of birds early in the morning, we are pulled and influenced by sound. Unfortunately, we are more and more bombarded by white noise, a bland timbre that has no value or redeeming quality at all. What began as background accompaniment of the vocal cord or the lyre has now descended into audio gibberish.
Modern music has also become nonsensical. Historically, words were used to embrace sound and add a special punctuation to the music. One only has to listen to a grand Italian opera or a stunning musical to truly understand the beauty of tonal variation. This has been replaced or subsumed by analyzed music, (1) music whose only intent is to catch the youthful market to sell additional downloads. These melodies will disappear as quickly as they first arrive on Spotify.
This sound pollution will continue until we seize control of the sounds around us. Now, many people suggest we should protect our psyches and refuse to accept any arbitrary sound at all. Increasingly, more and more people are wearing earpieces that only filter the sounds of music that they choose or desire. The sad part here is that many young people have no understanding or sophistication whatsoever. They, therefore, refuse to hear the constant onslaught of white noise only to be subjected to even more pernicious babble.
A clever way to reinforce your self-worth and value in the world is to start your day with encouraging affirmations. (2) The mind is extremely elastic and, like any muscle, it responds well to repetitive training. Listening every day to the endless possibilities of success and happiness that exist for every human being is extremely positive and worthwhile. This is not “New Age thinking,” (3) but practical and mind-altering advice.
So, what is one to do with this special gift of sound? One of the greatest enhancers of the mind is a simple reflective walk in nature. Given that you can’t get to a forest or nature reserve, you can opt for a stroll in an urban park. The psyche quickly adjusts to the sights and sounds of nature resplendent. There is a special place in our hearts for everything natural and real. We are blessed to comprehend this world through the medium of our gift of sound — such is nature’s symphony! The great poet Sylvia Plath (4) leaves us with a thought: I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery — air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, ‘This is what it is to be happy.”
A closing thought: Much like I must take care of my body, I must also take care of my mind. The filter to a positive mindset is what I read and, of course, listen to. Music education is important for all people. Our minds must be filled with encouraging and hopeful sounds. In modern life, this is not easy. The harsh and crude sounds are all around us. Our job is to look for and hear the beauty in the turbulent pandemonium of modern life, thereby finding our peace.
To sum up: This week we spoke about the beauty of sound.
To be noted — from Henry David Thoreau: An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day. (5)
Just for fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjhBEvH5ZHE&ab_channel=GustoItaliano
For reflection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHM7Q4ZUMh4&ab_channel=StoicJournal
This week, on your exciting walk, please listen to the dynamic sounds of nature.
Every day, look for something magical and beautiful.
Don’t be a wage slave – critical thinking is great!
Quote: Embrace the sounds of love and peace.
Footnotes:
1) https://stereomonosunday.com/2019/03/23/why-modern-music-is-so-awful/
2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pISudLFy-LI&ab_channel=BobBakerAffirmations
3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Age
4) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJn0ZPd6mYo&ab_channel=CrashCourse
5) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOlrKRjT1Vg&ab_channel=TheMorganLibrary%26Museum