The sounds all around you are clues to who you are and what to be grateful for.
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What marks the moments of your life?
For some, it’s special events. A specific birthday, ballgame, anniversary, graduation, or other significant event can stay locked in your memory forever.
We don’t normally think of sounds as the primary connection to our emotions, but they play a critical role in our memories and identity.
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For others, it’s images or home movies. A Polaroid of you as a kid with your family on vacation, or a short clip of a loved one who’s now gone can take you to places in your mind you haven’t been in years.
Still yet for some, it’s sounds. We don’t normally think of sounds as the primary connection to our emotions, but they play a critical role in our memories and identity.
Consider the following sounds and see if you relate to any of them:
- The song you danced to at your senior prom
- The cry of your child being born.
- The clang of wrenches working on a car or lawn mower with your Dad.
- The sound of your mother crying as you left home for college.
- The sound of a bottle breaking as an alcoholic father has another “spell.”
- The clapping of a crowd at your graduation
- A slamming door as you have your first (or last) fight with your spouse.
- The sound of a car accident that changed everything
- The sound of fireworks as you celebrate your country’s freedom.
- The distinctive him of a Super 8 movie camera.
- The sound of an MRI machine that will tell you how much longer you have to live.
- A crowd singing the national anthem at a ballgame.
- The sound of a phone ringing as you wait for some important news.
- The dull thud of a coffin lid as it’s shut.
- The sound of a guitar you haven’t played in years.
How do these make you feel? Which ones do you relate to? Do they bring back any long-forgotten memories?
Now, think about your average day and all the sounds you hear. Each sound means something.
- The sound of your breathing means you are alive and have more to learn and contribute.
- Your children’s laughter brings joy as a parent.
- The sound of your car starting means you have transportation.
- Your ringing phone (or the sound of a text message) means you have friends who are communicating with you.
- The sounds of dinner cooking on the stove means you have food to eat.
- The tap-tap-tap of your fingers on a keyboard means you have work to or someone or something to write.
- The noise of traffic as you commute to work means you have somewhere to go, and that you are not alone on this planet.
- The sound of your favorite radio station reminds you of the joy that comes from art and music.
All throughout your day, the noises you hear form the soundtrack of your life. Pause and listen. Be grateful for your life. Don’t take it for granted.
This post has been republished to Medium.
Photo: iStock
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