This past weekend my guy and I went to a three-day music festival. Listening to music can bring all kinds of emotions, and for us, this past weekend was soothing to our souls. It’s the perfect way to practice being mindful and to focus on how music makes you feel.
We tend to walk through life, not even noticing the sounds around us. Music can be playing in the background and affecting our emotions, but we don’t realize it.
Have you ever listened to a song and immediately didn’t like it? What was it you didn’t like? Do you even know? Most of us don’t. We don’t listen closely enough to the songs for us to understand how they affect our moods.
I’ve had songs that I loved the melody, but not the words or the voice of the singer and vice versa. When I listened to the song mindfully, I could relate to why certain things affected me.
When we listen mindfully and focus on the music, we can become more precise about how certain words, voices or sounds affect our emotions.
Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” – Plato
This week’s mindfulness challenge will be to listen to music.
Mindfully listening to music teaches us to focus and become more mindful of your feelings. If you have kids get them involved with this challenge, this is an excellent way to teach them to be aware and appreciate music while helping them to discuss their emotions.
Grab a selection of different types of music. Jazz, Blues, Rock, Rap, Country, Folk, etc.…
If you don’t have access to various kinds of music readily available, turn on a radio or use what you do have. Any song will work, but the more songs, the better.
Focus on each song as it plays. Try your best, not get distracted. If you find your mind wandering to something other than the music, gently bring your focus back.
Pick one or two of the following to give your attention while each song is playing:
Notice the instruments. Which instruments can you name? How does that instrument make you feel? Perhaps you notice the piano, and it makes you feel relaxed, but the drums start, and they make you feel nervous. Try to focus on each instrument you hear.
Listen to the words. Words can hurt us or heal us. Do the words resonate with you? Do they make you feel happy or sad? Are there specific words you don’t like, but others you love?
What about the singer’s voice? Is it soothing or annoying? Is it loud or soft? Name each emotion and how their voice makes you feel.
Pay close attention to your body. Which songs affect you in specific ways? Does a rock song make you feel anxious, or a jazz song make you feel relaxed? Where in your body do you sense the music?
Whatever you feel is ok.
Review any of your notes when you are finished. Notice what affected you negatively and what affected you positively.
If you are looking for music that brings much peace into your life, check out Music for Mindfulness.
If you or someone you know would benefit from these mindfulness challenges, please sign up for our mailing list here. I would love for you to be a part of our mindful tribe.
Peace & Love, Ela
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