Sublimation [1-Minute Wednesday #3]
My 1-Minute Wednesday series pairs a brief piece of music with a piece of thought-provoking text.
SUBLIMATION
We must all cope with painful emotions such as grief, fear, guilt, loneliness. Many coping mechanisms aren’t helpful; some even make things worse. But music and other arts have the power to transform the negative into positive, life-affirming expressions.
Music heals where words fail. Perhaps that’s why I’ve always been drawn to instrumental music: It speaks on a more primitive, primal level, beneath that of conscious thought. That deeper place is the source of feeling, both positive and negative.
I’ve heard it said that dreams are the brain’s way of trying to organize information, tying up the loose threads and unresolved conflicts of the day. Music is similar. Writing music brings me some semblance of coherency, order, and meaning. Abstract sound gives expression to feelings and ideas I didn’t even know I had – let alone being able to put them into words.
Music and art can save us from ourselves, and give meaning and peace to our darkest moments.
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