Dark Clouds

Art is a place of sanctuary. Be it music, contemporary art, dance or drama. Any art form that allows one to take on a character is what many people escape to - embodying a character allows one to not feel reality for just those few minutes. Everything is perfect for just a little while.

To me, music and dance are my escape. Lyrics in a song speak to me in ways dance can't. Moving my body to music isn't the same as listening to music. Each are unique, but both somewhat help to keep me breathing.

Music lyrics mean a lot more if one reads like a poem. The fluidity and smoothness of lyrics instills a sense of calmness. Writing out lyrics to songs when you're upset helps to centre your mind. Most importantly, write out the lyrics of a song that means the most to you. Savour the lyrics, indulge in their implicit and explicit meanings.

Dance allows one to just focus on the task at hand: move your body. It doesn't matter how much you can dance or how well. Moving your body to music and tuning everything else out is what makes it therapeutic to many. Shut out background noise, close your eyes and let the music show you how to move. Notice the rhythm, the beats, the melody. Let those elements take over you and let your mind be blank from all other things. The more you do this, the more calm you feel. Although one is still aware of all existing problems, the magnitude of the problems are not as large as they seem to be when one dances.

I use both art forms to cope in difficult times. I shut my eyes, put on music and run movements in my head according to the rhythm, beat or melody. Once my mind is calm, I try to approach the situation again. Sometimes, once isn't enough and the process needs to be repeated until I feel okay again.

Here are two playlists that I have that help me do just that:

Heartbreakers: https://open.spotify.com/user/picklesloth/playlist/0RwA03Lb9suBVM0o3RGVLT (I created this playlist full of slow beats for when I need to dance out the negativity - be it from a heartbreak or when I don't feel my best)

Latin and Ballroom: https://open.spotify.com/user/picklesloth/playlist/4EM8vEF9teMnIDfg2H70I1(this one holds a mix of beats, rhythms and melodies, one for when I need to distract myself for a bit)

James Arthur's Say You Won't Let Go speaks to me on a very special level. The melody and rhythm are beautiful. It's the lyrics that are the most beautiful of all.

#2017 #opinion #freewriting #perspective #art #music #dance #darkclouds