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Music to my ears

I live my life in constant song. Singing, playing instruments, dancing, just listening and taking it all in. Each song is filled with emotion and a message to the listener. It's amazing how people can connect over what they listen to.

My love for music began at an early age. My mom signed me up for classes when I was a toddler in which we sang songs and played instruments. At the age of six, I was ready to commit to my first official instrument. I wanted to play violin, but was convinced by my parents to play piano instead. I don't regret that choice, though when I reached sixth grade and got to choose an instrument for school, I picked the violin without hesitation. I still play both to this day.

But taking up instruments was only the beginning. As I got older, the music I listened to became a substantial part of my identity. When I turned ten, I got an iPod, but more importantly, I got Spotify. Now I could listen to anything. No more downloading songs onto an mp3 player from the CDs I had to beg my parents to buy. The whole world of music was laid out just for me.

Eventually, I was surrounded by music constantly. So much so that all of my memories started corresponding with the songs I was listening to at the time. My life became divided up into 'playlists': whenever I hear an Owl City song, I think of sixth grade; put on Hamilton and I remember the beginning of my freshman year. My life and my music intertwined into an inseparable entity.

It was during this time when I discovered just how important earbuds were to me. I carry them everywhere: to school, the bus, practice. When I use earbuds, people sometimes get angry if I don't hear them when they're trying to talk to me. The thing is, I don't want to hear them. The point of listening to music is to lose yourself in the lyrics, to explore the depth of the instruments and the harmonies, to become a part of it all. Earbuds are the bridge between the person and that experience.

And today I lost them.

When I woke up this morning, I couldn't remember where I left them last. I searched everywhere to no avail. My earbuds, my one connection to the songs inside my phone.

I'd forgotten what it was like without the constant rhythm in my ears. What it was like without the melody propelling me forward. What it was like to hear the silence.

I'd forgotten how peaceful it was.

Losing my earbuds made me realize that I don't need to be hooked up to iTunes 24/7 in order to make my life worth living. Of course, music is always going to be an important part of who I am, and I wouldn't want to change that. But occasionally it's good to take a break from all the noise and just be present in the moment you're in.

Sometimes silence can be the most beautiful song of them all.



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