Hello Darkness, my old friend
I’ve come to talk with you again…

The words of the song written by Paul Simon in 1964 and made popular again by the band Disturbed in 2015, resonate deeply within my soul.

To each of us, the song may have a different intent, but to me, it is a reminder of the constant struggle I have with mental illness.

All of us at some point in our lives have felt some sort of depression or sadness that was beyond our control.  For some of us, it is a struggle we fight with on a regular basis.

Data published by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, (NAMI) states that approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S experience mental illness in a year. www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-By-the-Numbers.  For me, I found salvation through music.

I have always loved music.  From a young age, my mother exposed us to all varieties of music from various genres.  It was her way of sharing her love and appreciation for music with us as something tangible to be carried with us always. As I became older, I began to realize music was her way of dealing with her own mental health struggles.

I remember I wrote my first song around the age of 6.  At the time, it was meaningful to me and represented something I was struggling with; getting into trouble.  Although our family now looks back at that song and the musings of a grade-schooler with fondness, it is also a reminder of something bigger.  My music became the escape for my troubles and a way to share my experience with others.

Dr. Kim Innes, professor of epidemiology at West Virginia University states, “music activates neurochemical systems and brain structures associated with positive mood, emotion regulation, attention, and memory in ways that promote beneficial changes.”  Additionally, Dr. Daniel Levitin, Professor of Psychology at McGill University, notes “music activates nearly every region of the brain that has been mapped so far.”   http://time.com/5254381/listening-to-music-health-benefits/

Given this information, it should come as no surprise the health benefits music has on our brain.

Neuroscientist Kiminobu Sugaya from The University of Central Florida stated, “memories associated with music are emotional memories, which never fade out — even in Alzheimer’s patients.”

We all derive different meanings from music.  The emotions that it evokes will leave a lasting impression in our minds.

As you listen to my work, please don’t feel you have to struggle from a mental illness to relate.  Take each nugget and let it bring some type of joy, understanding or simple entertainment to you as you listen. Your mind and body will thank you for it.

Benefits of #MusicLife http://ow.ly/dseK30olQeD