Noise! Noise! Noise!
City life is full of noises. The moment you step outside your home, you hear them, across the streets and in the shops around you. Sometimes, you feel as if there is nowhere in the world where you can escape from the stress of all the noise. But is this true? Is there no place where you can enjoy an escape except in the country side, or at the beach or the mountains? No! Not at all! You can escape right where you are, even in the noisiest places on Earth. Well, no one is going to give you lessons on meditation here. This blog is not for that purpose. But, what we are going to discuss is how to find some inner peace even when the whole world is keen to take it away from you.
We humans have become too dependent on materialistic pleasures, be it the latest car or electronic gadgets. But, what is the point of all these, if you cannot be at peace even for a single moment in your life? Often, nothing can equal the feeling of joy that music brings to your heart. And when we say music, we are not talking about the loud ‘banging and clanging’ in your ears. We are talking about the simplicity and romance of Swing and Big Band Jazz that filled the hearts of people in the early twentieth century. We, humans, have become too dependent on materialistic pleasures, be it the latest car or a posh apartment. But, what is the point of all these, if you cannot be at peace even for a single moment in your life? Nothing is worth the feeling of ecstasy that music brings to your heart. And, to mention “Music”, we are not talking about the loud metals clanging in your ears. We are talking about the simplistic Jazz that filled the hearts of people in the early twentieth century.
The Swing Era is characterized by such music that, on one hand, brought tears to one's eyes, and on the other, helped him/her revitalize his/her energies and face the daily hurdles that life offered. You will say that life has become too complicated and busy to spend even a single moment listening to Jazz or other sophisticated music. Has Life become busier? True! But, no time for Jazz? False! Think about those times when people had no jobs, nothing to feed their families but sought solace in music, Jazz, and Swing.
The Swing Era is characterized by such music that, on one hand brought joy to one’s heart, and on the other helped one revitalize their energies and face the daily hurdles that life offered. You will say that life has become too busy and complicated to spend even a single moment listening to Jazz or other sophisticated music. Has life become busier? True! But, no time for Jazz? False! Think about those times when people had no jobs, nothing to feed their families but sought solace in Big Band music, Jazz, and Swing.
The Great Depression and World War Two took a toll on people in the 1930’s and 1940’s. But the financially broken and jobless did find solace in the music of that time. So, why can’t you today? Yes, the challenges of everyday life might be different today, but the power of positive impact of the music remains the same. Try listening to Jazz, Swing and Big Band music for once and you will understand. This weekend, devote some time discovering this wonderful music in the USA to feel the joy this music can bring. Your heart will rest for a while and you will ‘escape’ to a better place without stepping outside your door. It takes only a moment to decide what you want from life, what are your priorities and how are you going to make the most of this one life you have. Music from the Swing era can help your mind to get rid of all the negativity so that you can gain more clarity in your thoughts.
Swing Music in the USA is considered eternal. The tunes depict life’s simplicity in verses and beautiful melodies. Look deeper into the lives of the greatest legends of that time like Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman and others. You will find that all their lives were full of tragic incidents, not unlike the rest of us. Yet, their music uplifted an entire generation and brought to it enthusiasm, energy and joy in the midst of pain and tragedy. How? Do you think they found the ‘Holy Grail’ of life? Or, they knew some magic? Both assumptions are correct though but in a different context. Music was their ‘Holy Grail’, a power that can work its magic on you too. Swing Music in the USA became popular mostly because of its unique way of uplifting moods.
Try listening to the Swing and Big Band music from the 1930’s and 1940’s. If you are patient, perhaps you too will discover your ‘Holy Grail’ of escapism. You will get that peace you were looking for so long. Have faith in music. Many great scientists of the world do.
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