Do you have a passion in your life that makes your soul come alive? Does surrounding yourself with this one thing inspire you and awaken a unique energy inside of you that you can hardly contain? Music has been a lifelong passion in my life for the reasons I mentioned above. This post is about the abandonment of this passion, and how its presence returned stronger than ever in a moment that I will never forget.
Photo by Studio Eiler @studioeiler
This post has actually been a year in the making. The moment that inspired this post came to me last year while I was attending Lollapalooza, a 4-day music festival in Chicago. I never got around to writing it then, even though the moment that inspired it brought me so much emotion that it was overwhelming. I guess I just wasn’t ready. This post is a journey through a snapshot of my past and the light of my present.
But first, a little background on my relationship with music
Music has been a significant part of my life since I was in elementary school. I remember my first album, Alanis Morissette’s “Jagged Little Pill,” and how obsessed I was with the song Ironic. I appreciated the creativity behind the lyrics and the emotion in her voice always gave me chills.
As I grew older, music continued to inspire me and fill my ears at almost every moment of the day. It amazed me the way that artists crafted rhythms and tempos with lyrics in order to write a musical story.
When I was old enough I was involved in every single band I could be a part of in school — concert band, symphonic band, wind ensemble, jazz band, pep band, marching band. This continued through college. I wanted to create music just as much as I wanted to be enveloped in its melodies. Creating music and meeting others who shared my enthusiasm towards the art brought an entire new level of passion into my life.
I find that this quote from a previous post that I wrote about my dad best illustrates how I feel about music: “Music has always been the language of my soul. Music has made good times great, and it has made dark times bright. Perfect chords and rhythms help me disappear when I need to lose myself, and bring me back to reality when I am ready to be found. Music has kept me company during some of my loneliest of times, and creating music has led me to some of my best friends in life.”
You can probably see now why going to an all-day music festival is my ultimate happy place.
This happiness goes much deeper than just the music. One of the most stunning views is going to a concert and watching people unite over the entire experience. If you want to see a group of people living in the present moment together, go to any concert. Look around at any second and watch as people feel every drumbeat, sing every lyric, and raise their hands high during the parts of a song that mean the most to them. It’s truly an amazing sight to see.
Now that you know a little more about my passion for music, I want to tell you a story.
After college I was in an extremely unhealthy relationship for close to three years. Even labeling it as “unhealthy” feels like an understatement actually, but that’s what we’ll call it. Unhealthy.
One day I was sitting on the floor in my apartment with my computer open about to listen to a new album that had just been released by one of my favorite artists. He was in the kitchen and I remember expressing to him how thrilled I was to finally listen to this album after having the release date on my calendar for months. My level of enthusiasm about new music had always been on par with the feeling a five year-old might have opening presents on Christmas morning. I could hardly contain my excitement.
A moment later he walked into the room and a few things were said to me in a tone that I recall sounding both concerned and harsh. I was told that my love for music was unhealthy. I was told that there were things in life that I should be showing that much excitement towards, and music was not one of them. I was told that I needed to stop “worshiping” music. I was told that my passion for music was a “concern.” I was told that I needed to reevaluate what was important to me.
I immediately turned off the song and shut my computer. The familiar pit in my stomach that I felt so often throughout this relationship became deeper than it had ever been. Four words came into my head and created the phrase that would continue to brainwash me in the years that followed:
“Maybe he is right.”
For years music had been a light in my life and I chose to turn it off.
It took me a while after our relationship ended to truly hear the “music” again. By “music” I mean music in the literal sense as well as other parts of my life that I gave up over those years. I remember feeling like I was living my life all wrong, and that the person who I had grown up to be just wasn’t good enough.
Flash-forward to Lollapalooza 2017
Okay so Citrus and Sun is all about noticing those small moments in our lives that we need to pay attention to, right?? This includes the good, the difficult, the exciting, the sad, and everything in between. When we pay attention to the moments that bring out emotion, we learn a little more about ourselves. Sometimes that involves digging into past moments that we might not want to revisit.
And now for my moment!
Lollapalooza, 2017. The Killers are playing and I am in total heaven. Chuck and a few close friends are by my side, as well as what seemed like most of the city of Chicago. The Killers begin playing the song “Smile Like You Mean It” and I completely lose it. Tears are streaming down my face. I am singing and crying at the same time which was probably quite the sight to stumble upon.
It wasn’t the first time I had cried at a concert, but this time was different. This time I wasn’t only crying because I felt emotionally connected to the music. I was crying because that day popped into my head. The day I chose to allow someone else to tell me that music shouldn’t be THAT important. The day I chose to turn the music off. I was crying because I couldn’t understand how I could abandon this piece of my soul that was bringing me so much joy in that moment.
But this moment was so much more!
I am so grateful for this moment at Lollapalooza. For so long I was holding on to anger, regret, and resentment over this time of my life. In that moment, my tears began in anger and they ended in gratitude. Gratitude for my recovery, the strength in the years after, for my family, for the life I live now, and for the MUSIC. The music that I turned on again. The music that continues to play the song of my life today.
I used to think that talking about this time of my life meant that this person still had control over me in some way. This is why this memory initially upset me in that moment. I remember thinking, “Why is he still in my head after ALL of these years??”
[ctt template=”2″ link=”b66a0″ via=”yes” ]Sometimes our difficult past creeps into our minds at the most random times not to bring us pain, but because it is trying to tell us something about ourselves. We just need to listen.[/ctt]The answer: because whether I like it or not he WAS in my life. Ignoring the difficult and uncomfortable seasons of our lives also pushes away valuable moments like the one I had during that song. Sometimes our difficult past creeps into our minds at the most random times not to bring us pain, but because it is trying to tell us something about ourselves. We just need to listen.
Whatever your life’s song is — turn it up!!!!
I believe that this moment happened in order to help me appreciate who I am today and feel gratitude towards my life. I also believe it happened so that a year later I would share this story in order to send out a message:
Whatever your life’s “music” is, hold onto it and don’t turn it off. Take what inspires you, turn up the volume, and play it for the world. Every single musical note of your life is valuable, and your life’s song is an inspiration. Play it loud.
Wishing you zest & light,
Stephanie
Love this so much! And you’re right hey – we should never let anyone or any life situation turn off our life’s song. It only comes back stronger anyway 🙂
So true!! Thank you so much for reading my post! i appreciate your feedback!
This is such a great post! You are so right—never let anyone judge or diminish something in you that is part of your soul. Surround yourself with people who love you exactly as you are. You are an amazing, strong, and courageous person, Stephanie! Our life’s songs are so beautiful!
Thank you so much, Patricia. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and kind words!! The people we surround ourselves with is so important for our life’s song =) Thank you for reading this post!!
Love the inspiration and journey throughout! Often, some of the hardest times in our lives are what we learn the greatest lessons from. SO glad you found your rhythm again!! Don’t ever let anyone take it away from you 🙂
So true, Danielle!! Writing this post was so difficult, but it was a journey and I am so happy that I saw it to the end! It encouraged me to pay more attention to every season of my life in order to learn more about myself. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
I love the idea calling our interests and passions our “song.” Something about it just feels right – and I resonate with this so much – I am a strong believer that we should never allow the opinions of others to keep us away from what we love.
I’m so happy that this post resonated with you, Chantal =) I also agree with your belief!! Thank you for reading and for visiting Citrus & Sun!
Lollapalooza sounds amazing! Great job on this post. I really felt your sincerity in every word you said. Congratulations on overcoming an unhealthy relationship.
Lollapalooza is definitely a blast and experience!! Thank you for your encouraging words, Karla!! So happy that you stopped by Citrus & Sun!
Awww… it’s so beautiful, your words talked to my soul. Thank you! 🙂 I’ll probably borrow the word song when referring to interest or passions in life. You rock, Stephanie! 🙂
Joy, THANK YOU so much!! Please do use the word song for your passions!!! They create the music of your life!
Such an honest and beautiful post! What an amazing message and so incredibly relatable.
I feel this way about so many of my passions, and it’s all a derivative from my past causing me to shut them down. It’s so hard to open up again now, even though I have all the support and love in my life now, and my mind is the only block. I NEEDED to read this post 🙂
Love you girl, and in a way you’re my best friend haha! No one could have said it better.
So happy you’re happy now! You and Chuck are one incredible team and both so talented!
The world stops when I read your posts.
Thanks so much!
Thank you for this beautiful comment, Milda!! MY world always stops when I read your thoughts!! Sometimes we do need to get through those difficult moments in our past in order to open ourselves up to the possibilities of the present and future. I also was frustrated for a while because I felt like I had such an amazing support system, but I was still struggling. I realized that there was still a small a part of my past that I needed to work through all on my own. Still working through some of it currently, but I’m getting there!! I appreciate you opening up to me about your struggles and your connections with this post! I am with you and have felt the same way so many times. We were both born with the strength to unblock our minds and move forward — we’ve got this, girl! =) LOVE YOU!!!
Oh my god!! I literally can’t stop crying!! Good and cleansing tears . Turn the volume up girl . That’s my new mantra lovey. I’ve read every single one of your posts , and related to all of them in some big or small way.
This is one that needs to be published and read in a public forum . The impact it would have on so many people about people being told to “ turn that down” !! Whether it’s musuc , a passion, or just being your dam self.
Truly amazing!! Keep it coming girl .
I feel such an overwhelming sense of pride , knowing my BEST FRIEND wrote this people !!!!
Love and peace — my lovely friend,
Michele, this comment totally made me cry. I can feel your love coming through your words. Thank you for supporting me so much and for being such a true friend. I know that your love for music is just as great as mine, and I have so many memories of the two of us completely lost in the music TOGETHER! =) Thank you for this beautiful comment that touched my heart and my soul. I love you!!!
Steph,
Once again, you are jogging my memory and making me think.
Music has always been a big factor or part of my life too! I didn’t participate in bands but I always enjoyed Music class and singing in a choir.
When life gives me lemons I use music for my lemonade.
“I Will Survive” is my go to sing!
Glad you were able to bring the music back!
Judy
Judy, I love your comment on using music for your lemonade!! And “I will survive” is such a great go to song =) So motivating and inspiring!! I enjoyed hearing about your memory from music class and it brought back some memories of my own from grade school! I always looked forward to performing at those music shows each school year, and now love watching my students perform! I am sure you enjoyed many throughout the years as a principal, too! =) Thank you for reading, Judy!!
You’re an inspiration! I totally understand how you feel.
Oh my goodness, thank you, Micky!! I am happy that you were able to connect with this post! Thank you for reading!
Wow, this is beautifully written. Anyone who belittles your passion is not worthy of your love. I love how you have embraced the past in a way that you don’t dwell but that you appreciate your passion even more.
Thank you, Leigh, I appreciate your thoughts and your feedback =) Embracing the past is definitely difficult sometimes, and I love how you mention the difference between dwelling and appreciating. Such a great point that I will remember!! Thank you for reading and for stopping by Citrus and Sun!
Stephanie!!! This was a beautiful post! I’m sure it was tough to write and relive some of those moments, but I’m so glad you did! I am so glad you are out of that relationship and you have someone know who supports you and helps you reach your goals and use your passion! Loved learning more about how music has shaped you!
Thank you, Erin!! I appreciate your support with this post and your kind words! You also inspire me with YOUR passion for music and how you pass that along to your students! You are an inspiration! Love ya, girl!
Completely true, beautiful, and brave!
Thank you so much, Mary!!!