If music be the food of love, play on …

If music be the food of love, play on,
Give me excess of it; that surfeiting,
The appetite may sicken, and so die.

William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night Act 1, scene 1, 1-3

Our minds are nowadays so full of logical thinking.  Right from the morning hours when we wake up to the end of the day we get lost in our preoccupations.  The mind is subjected to routine tasks of brushing teeth, having a shower, packing up, ironing clothes etc.  Then when do we get the time to relax our nerves, stretch a leg and have fun?

We are used to performing left brain activities everyday.  So, we need a creative outlet to express ourselves .  This can be done by engaging in right brain activities.  We can do this through art, music, and fun outdoor activities or evening watching a cartoon with your kid.

I found that I have been performing less right brain activities and since last year I started taking part in activities that I have never thought of doing earlier.  I took up  Indian classical violin lessons.  Then I started taking an active part in Toastmasters which gives you an avenue to communicate on topics which are outside the realm of office or business life.  I also indulge in poetry writing more often, biking, inline skating and occasionally run a marathon.

Music is a great stress reliever.  When you play music or sing a song with all your heart it is a great avenue to pour out from the innermost recesses of your heart.  A soulful rendition also wins everyones hearts.  Most of all, it makes us feel light and relaxed.  Music is a form of meditation and has been recommended as a remedy for stress-related illnesses.  Music can promote concentration, alertness and it stimulates our brain.

Plato so wisely said, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.”

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