Finding Joy in Music - it's Delicious Brain Food!

Music is one of the only activities that activates, stimulates, and uses the entire brain. Music is so powerful that childhood songs often stay in our memory for a lifetime, exceeding our ability to remember what day of the week it is. That is a power worth harnessing for good. Educators take advantage of that truth when they use music to effectively accomplish educational goals. Often childhood exposure to music includes, A, B, C’s , Won’t You Be My Friend, and Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes. Christian songs for children may include; Jesus loves Me, His Banner Over Me is Love, and I’ve Got the Joy, Joy , Joy Down in My Heart.

So what in the world does music have to do with joy?

Research says music can be used to increase motivation and focus, to decrease stress and depression, and to facilitate relational connection.

Joy is produced in our brain when we perceive that “someone is glad to

be with us.”* Therefore, knowing that music can facilitate relational connections and that I am actually designed to be drawn to what brings me joy, is a dynamite combination.

My story:

As a child, a large brown Emerson radio sat on my upstairs bedroom window ledge. WLS Chicago played all the latest songs in my youth (50s-60s). Those songs kept me company through sad, scary nights and busy young teen days. I learned to dance and sing with friends and relatives and, even though my childhood was less than happy on many occasions, the bright spots included sharing music with others.

We are hard-wired to love music. Do you know why? Rhythm is the language of the right hemisphere of our brain. When you add our left hemisphere words that is how it can become a dynamite teaching methodology and relational connector. Music also has the power to regulate our emotions. Play an upbeat song and see how long it takes you to jive along with the music. Give us a minute and we’ll learn the lyrics and sing along. It is equally true that when we slow down the tempo we can learn to relax and rest.

Now that I’m an adult I don’t have to wait for joy to happen randomly. I know how to intentionally use music to build more joy in my life. Most often I use music to worship and to open my eyes to others.

 See if these suggestions work for you:

1. Use your favorite music to dance and sing as you connect with the God who loves you.

2. Play favorite songs from your past to bring to mind relational connections and savor the joy they created. Thank God for them in very specific ways.

3. Share with your friends and family songs that joyfully lift your spirit to greater dreams and visions.

Please take the time to listen to one of my favorites, Your Beloved by Brent Helming.**

Lord, it was you who created the heavens.

Lord, it was your hands that put the stars in their place. Lord, it was your voice that commands the morning. Even oceans and their waves bow at your feet.

Who am I compared to your glory, Oh Lord?

Lord, who am I compared to your majesty?

I am Your creation, and you love me as I am.

You have called me chosen for your kingdom, Unashamed to call me Your own.

I am your beloved!

Savor the delicious words and melody and share the joy with someone!

My prayer for you:

May all that has been reduced to noise in you become music again.

* E. James Wilder, Life Model:Living From the Heart Jesus Gave You 

**Youtube