One of the first songs I ever wrote was called “Those Mean Teen Years.” It expressed the angst of a high school kid trying to figure out what life was all about, mine in particular.
From those early years of searching for my place in the world, to today where I try to juggle family, work, and everything else while retaining some sort of balance and well-being, writing songs has always been a way for me to make sense of things. It’s like my soul singing to me through my music. It’s my therapy.
Much like therapy helps you improve the quality of your life, positive music can do the same, yet it can go beyond thinking, and into your body and emotions. And hey, you can even dance to it.
You can also use positive music to get you inspired and energized to take on a new challenge. It can offer insights into your own life and help expand your perspective on things. It can help you experience emotions that have been buried inside for years. Or it can lighten you up, make you laugh, or make you move.
Here are some actual stories of how some people have used positive music to improve the quality of their lives:
Positive Lyrics as Mantras
“After listening to positive songs from Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” to Alicia Keys’ “Superwoman,” something resonates with me. A hook or a lyric will repeat over and over in my head. I then start to feel happier, healthier, and more successful by allowing the lyrics to become mantras for my life.”—Jennifer Washington, Los Angeles
“I was going through a very stressful time at work, thinking all my staff might lose their jobs. Listening to “Right Here” (by Tim Gleeson) kept going through my mind, pulling me back to all the good things in my life. It reminded me just to do my best, and then let things be, no matter what happens.”—Clare G., United Kingdom
“Jana Stanfield’s song, “Sing, Love, Dance” resonates with me on a deep level because it speaks of ability, not dis-ability. Lyrics such as, “If you can talk, you can sing, If you can walk or you can roll (!), you can dance, If you can love, there’s a chance for romance, So sing, love, dance,” touch me because I’ve been FREED by the use of a wheelchair my entire life due to a birth defect called Spinal Bifida. Jana continually teaches me that, though my legs may not work, I am equally as capable as the next (able-bodied) person.—Ann P., Decatur, Illinois
From Grief to Hope
“I wrote a commissioned song for a mother who had lost a baby to miscarriage. She said that the song (“The Blessing”) helped mend the rift between her and her husband, teaching her how to grieve the profound loss in her own way, and making it possible for her to eventually conceive again.”—Anna Huckabee Tull, Concord, Massachusetts
“After the death of my son, I didn’t want to live anymore. But listening to “Just a Heartbeat Away” (by Scott Johnson) changed my life and offered me new hope. I want to live again. I even danced for the first time since Daniel’s death.”—Vera J., Redding, California
“When I was younger I was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, panic anxiety, severe depression, and multiple personality disorder. I was in great pain. I simply hated life and wanted to die, as the medications and therapy didn’t help much and there was no cure. Then I heard “One Power” and other songs by Daniel Nahmod, and my life changed. Two and a half years later, I live joyfully, purposefully, passionately, with hope, love and peace in my soul.”—Sharleen J., Utah
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I had just left my marriage and was dealing with guilt and a million other emotions. Then I heard Karen Taylor-Good’s song “Shells” and the lyric “Sometimes love isn’t over, it’s just complete.” I burst into tears. I’ll never forget that moment or those amazing, healing words.”—Yvonne Smith, Nashville, Tennessee
Improving One’s Mood
“Playing music in a hospital setting, I get to see songs make an immediate and impressive impact on someone’s experience in the hospital. One lady, who I was asked to play for, was very depressed and had a sad face when I went into the room. But when I began playing the old folk song “This Land is Your Land” she lit up in a smile and started singing along. Then the nurse walked in, looked at the monitor, and said, “Look at the change in those vital signs!”—Cathy DeWitt, Gainesville, Florida
For Encouragement and Inspiration
“The act of creativity often heals the person creating, and for me, writing songs helps me grow. I was dealing with losing my focus and drive when faced with disappointments. So I wrote this lyric: ‘What’cha gonna do when the hard times come? What’cha gonna do when your dreams seem undone? I’m gonna keep my faith.’ That song constantly reminds me to stay focused when dealing with life’s disappointments.”—Claudia Carawan, Richmond, Virginia
There are countless other stories of how music has made a difference in people’s lives, from helping them move through emotions to offering a completely new way to look at their lives. If you’ve never used music intentionally before to improve your mood or state of mind, give it a try and see how you feel. Plus, it’s cheaper than therapy.