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Incorporate Music Into Your Life

  I woke up the other morning and the first thing on my mind was a song from the 70s.  I can't tell you how long it had been since I had heard it, so I have no idea how I woke to thinking about it.  But, you know what? It wasn't a bad way to wake.
  Music has always been a fairly big part of my life.  I've played in band and orchestra and sang in choirs. I can carry a tune, occasionally sing harmony, and play the flute, but I'm no great musician.   
I've taken ballet, sung karaoke with my daughters, and slow danced with my husband.  I've even taught music and movement classes to littles.  But hey, I understand that you may not know how to read music, play an instrument, or dance.  But there are still ways to enjoy music.  Of course you can always play the radio, but I challenge you to take it farther than that.  You can run to music. Clean to music. Do aerobics to music.  If you're really brave, there are places where you can go to square  or line dance, or maybe even ballroom dance. 
   If all of those things seem a bit too much for you, watch or go to a musical or concert.  There are ways you can enjoy music online.  I just "played" Moonlight Sonata using Touch Pianist.  There are keyboards, lessons, and more, free of charge. Maybe you can sing but would like to learn how to harmonize or learn how to read music. Again, all of this can be done online, free of charge.
   It may be time to join a choir.  First, a caution.  Some people think that they can carry a tune and they can't.  Churches (at least the ones I have been a part of) will accept people into the choir who can't sing a lick.  Please spare your church.  If you have a friend who is both musical and honest go to her and have her tell you if you are one of those people.
    There are just so many ways to begin enjoying music or taking it to a different level.  Music can be relaxing, invigorating, or anything in between.  It can be a vehicle for praising God.  You can even use it to help you grieve. And if you need one last reason to pursue this, know that learning how to play an instrument is good for the brain.

"Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness."   Maya Angelou
 

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