Music: The Universal Language

I don't know how many times and in how many different ways I have heard this, but music is the world's universal language. Every culture in the world has music in some form or another; from classical to religious, sombre to celebratory, music is everywhere. It has helped keep people going when it seems as though all hope is lost. People sing or play music at weddings, births, funerals, during wartime. Whether it be happy or sad, bring smiles or tears it makes us strong and builds a bond that goes beyond language, to a deeper place of togetherness. We may not be able to understand the words of songs, but the notes of the music are unmistakable. The soaring flutes, deep, strong brass, the filling of the reed instruments, and the drums, keeping beat for everyone. Music is everywhere, in all of us. It is the one gift that we can all share, and treasure.

Dreams

I had the strangest dream last night. I can hardly even explain it, it just didn't make any sense at all. That happens to me a lot. Every time (which isn't very often let me tell you) that I can actually remember my dreams they are always the same: Weird, unexplainable and unrealistic. Sometimes I wake up and it takes a second for my brain to register that it wasn't real, it was only a dream. They aren't nightmares, they're just unreal. But when I really think about it there is always some sort of link between the dreams and real life. Like, if I'm really thinking about something, or if I'm nervous or anticipating something I'm more likely to remember my dreams, and whatever's on my mind gets tied into the dream. It's almost as if my unconscious mind is trying to sort out what my conscious mind can't. It's an interesting concept when you think about it. It's as if there's a hidden message all wrapped up inside letting you know something about yourself, whether it's to slow down and think things through, or to do a job you've been putting off or just to enjoy life as it happens and not worry too far into the future. We should all be grateful for that reason that we have dreams. They're more important than we think.

Life

Life is a very complicated thing. We all have our thoughts, and opinions. We all feel things, sometimes the same way about different things, sometimes differently about the same thing. Some of us are able to share our emotions freely and openly, others not so much. I dream more than I live and that will become problematic later on, I'm sure. When I feel something, it shows all over me and the whole world can tell. When something bad happens I almost can't process it as real. It's like there's a part of my brain that can't realistically process serious issues. I've recently discovered laughter is my stress response, followed closely by panic. Fortunately I've rarely had to experience anything really bad, but that's just the thing. We can never tell what life is going to throw at us and when and how. It's as though we've always got to be prepared for something, just in case. Now me, I'm young, still in high school. I've got a long life ahead of me, and I've got big plans with what to do with it. This year has been a real growth year for me, and I've learned to look at the world as glass-half-full instead of half-empty. It's much more relaxing not to be constantly worrying. It's such a simple concept, relax and smell the roses, and it seems to be one of the hardest ones for people to really grasp. Either way, here's today's philosophy: Live today, Worry tomorrow.