Suzie Key Tima

In this post, I’ll go over some of the benefits of listening to music and I’ll tell you about why I listen to new music more often now.

1. Expression

Music is an artistic expression and listening to music provides us with a way to express ourselves. In 2018-2019, I had a lot of anger and frustration in me, and it reflected heavily in my music choices. I listened to a lot of MCR and other similar bands. It allowed me to express my feelings without acting out and it gave me ways to communicate how I felt.

2. Reflection

I use music as a meditative journey often. Listening to music helps me think through things and figure out how to solve them or accept them.

3. Stress Relief

There are few things as calming as lying down in bed and listening to classical music. It’s soothing and it calms my mind.

4. Mood

If I want to take my mind from 0 to 100, I just put on Battle Belongs by Phil Whickham and sing my heart out. The truth of this song really fixes my perspective when I am overwhelmed.

5. Increases enjoyment and performance of other activities: sports, dance, chores, driving, studying, etc.

Music is the perfect activity to complement those tasks that are not as enjoyable. I love to listen to music while working out. It helps with the pain.

My experience

Now that we’ve established the value of music. Let’s talk about my experience doing New Song Saturday with my two siblings.

This originally started under the name “New Music Monday”. My sister and I would introduce each other to three new songs as we drive to and from our college campus. It changed a bit after I graduated. We had to change the day to Saturday and consequently, the name. We also added my brother to our little group to make it more fun and interesting.

Here’s what this challenge has done:

• It has caused me to get more cultured in the music I listen to.
  A year ago, I never would have listened to Christian rap on purpose or tried Country music for fun. But I have discovered since the error of my ways. My taste has evolved. While these genres are not my favorites, I still enjoy some country songs from time to time.
• It has made me listen to new genres and new artists (I even discovered one of my new favorite singers).
  This goes hand in hand with the first point. I also discovered, within my own genre of music, new artists that I love such as Faouzia.
• It has opened my mind.
  This whole experience has translated into me being open to trying new things including new cuisines and tv-shows.
• It has helped me understand my siblings better.
  I think music is one of the best ways to communicate your personality. I got to see what my brother likes and who he is in relation to music. I got to see my sister’s adventurous sides and her dedication to staying unbiased.
• It has forced me to listen with purpose.
  I pay more attention to lyrics than anything else in music. It is the thing that speaks to me. While discovering new songs for our challenge, I have been intentional about introducing songs that challenge me with the lyrics, but also the sounds, the beat, and the melody. My siblings are both musicians: my brother is a drummer and I know a good beat is likely to get his attention. My sister is particular fond of good melody lines as a keyboardist, interesting notes and runs as a singer, and great lyrics as a writer.

I’d like to challenge you to do a New Song Day with a friend this week.