That musical touch

White, gray and blue grace the sky in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Light, love, harmony, reassurance and, most of all, hope. These form the substance of what we feel when great music sweeps us up in its settling influence, especially when we need to be uplifted. Sometimes, music brings us inspiration when we don’t realize we need it, and it fills up part of our soul.

For me, that unexpected gift appeared when I heard Claude Debussy’s “Clair de lune” on Friday night, for the first time in years. Its soothing, peaceful tones were just the right way to end a long week, and to be more specific, they were also the perfect inspiration for finishing up that night’s post. Though there was no correlation between the music and the words I actually wrote, that musical masterpiece had a calming influence. It helped move me from a space of over-thinking what I was doing, to settling my thought and focusing more on the information I really needed. 

It’s difficult to put a fine point on how music makes us feel, because it’s so profound it often defies definition. Sometimes it spurs us to take some needed action, other times it simply clears the clouds from the sky of our day when we need it most. But we recognize its impact, every time. 

The arrival of that spontaneous inspiration is always a special moment, one that was particularly needed over the past year, when so many were looking for peace. Given that, perhaps we take the positive impact of music a little less for granted now. Its light has shone brightly in recent months and provided a meaningful way to not only feel a stronger sense of calm, but also connect with others in search of it. We’ll always have a need for connection, and music is a powerful way to do just that, being a strong expression of what creativity can accomplish.

Whether old or new, musical creations are a constant gift, and they point to a landscape that’s always evolving and ready for more exploration. The beauty of it is, you never know what will inspire you next. And when we gain that inspiration, we have the opportunity to share it with others who may be in need of its harmony. By doing that, we enhance the pattern of creative continuity and fulfillment we can all access. That’s a true gift.

— Gareth Henderson