The calming presence of music

A scene by Hartland Hill Road in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

So often, music sends a message to the heart just when we need to hear it. Such was the case this week, when I came across a version of “Simple Gifts” performed by cello master Yo-Yo Ma. His gentle, soulful performance of this song drove home its much-needed message of simplicity over complexity, as shown with the opening verse:

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,

'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

To me, it was a timely message for today, which invites us to find peace in the simpler things in life, things that goodness and love  guides us to cherish and share. This universal good counters any heavier, more complicated layers of negativity, and any pressure that can overwhelm. Whatever the world may throw our way, it’s still true that cultivating and building our thoughts in the opposite direction — the direction of only good — has a powerful effect on us and those we interact with.  A brief but meaningful message, such as that contained in this song, can be part of that process and can uplift us in any situation. It adds to those lighter, heartfelt layers of inspiration that bring grace into our lives. Grace invigorates us, brings freedom, and allows each of us to have the patience to go forward, letting feelings of burden and heaviness fall away like layers of yesterday's laundry. 

That process is reflected in the tangible harmony of Yo-Yo Ma’s rendition of this beautiful song. After the familiar opening verse, several layers of graceful notes build, and then the performance ends on a simple, fitting note as the perfect conclusion, followed by a tender word of gratitude for the audience. It’s another shared experience, calming the soul as only music can. And I’m grateful to share it with all of you.

— Gareth Henderson