The impact of art
Think back on a time when things just weren't going that great for you. Got it? Ok... where were you? What were you doing? What helped you through the difficult time? Was it a book that fell onto your lap at just the right time? Was it an album on repeat? Or a heartfelt movie that made you cry just when you needed it?
Though not many people will admit to this, I believe that everyone has some kind of art that has helped them through a difficult time. Whether it's a book, music, a movie... whatever it is, something somewhere in your life has made an impact. Why is that? Well, I think it's because art has a way to affect us differently when we're open and vulnerable.
I've already told my Hamilton story, so no need to dive into that again (did you miss it? check back a few posts). What I want to talk about instead is albums from throughout my life. I've always been an obsessive listener. Pick a CD, listen to that and nothing else for a month straight, and then move on. I remember when I was a kid, I played my Opposites Attract cassette single so much that it either broke or my family took it away from me. Remember the episode of Full House when Michelle won't stop playing Baby Beluga? That was me with this Paula Abdul song.
The first musical cast album I ever remember hearing was Phantom of the Opera. It was on a double cassette tape set that stayed in my mom's car. We only ever listened to it in the car, usually on long drives. I just remember staring out the window and letting that music sink in.
High school was all about Rent (as it was for most people my age). Everyone has a Rent story and I have several so maybe a separate post on that later.
In college, I had a few albums I bounced between that, when I listen to them now, I remember where I was then compared to where I am now... and I smile. The music helped me through. But college wasn't just music. Girl, Interrupted was my #1 go-to book for the 4.5 years I was at school. The number of times I sat up all night and read that book in 1 sitting is too many to even count. Again... art has an impact.
So where am I going with this? Well, we all have memories. Good, bad, and everything in between... it's there. Art that has helped you or been there like a warm hug can bring up those good, bad, and everything else memories. Something that you once loved can now be difficult to encounter because it could bring up something you don't want to remember. You may have to put a book back on the shelf for a few years until you can stomach opening it again. Maybe a movie you once couldn't get enough of is now tainted.
Whatever the case may be, embrace the impact that this art has left on you. If you need time away from something before revisiting it, allow yourself that time. Healing takes time and needs the room to breathe. You can make space in your heart and mind for the healing by letting go of the bad things sitting there. Then, once you feel like you're in a better place, you can bring those things back in that you once loved.
Turning bad memories into good ones is no easy task, but it makes for more peaceful living.
- Danielle
Though not many people will admit to this, I believe that everyone has some kind of art that has helped them through a difficult time. Whether it's a book, music, a movie... whatever it is, something somewhere in your life has made an impact. Why is that? Well, I think it's because art has a way to affect us differently when we're open and vulnerable.
I've already told my Hamilton story, so no need to dive into that again (did you miss it? check back a few posts). What I want to talk about instead is albums from throughout my life. I've always been an obsessive listener. Pick a CD, listen to that and nothing else for a month straight, and then move on. I remember when I was a kid, I played my Opposites Attract cassette single so much that it either broke or my family took it away from me. Remember the episode of Full House when Michelle won't stop playing Baby Beluga? That was me with this Paula Abdul song.
The first musical cast album I ever remember hearing was Phantom of the Opera. It was on a double cassette tape set that stayed in my mom's car. We only ever listened to it in the car, usually on long drives. I just remember staring out the window and letting that music sink in.
High school was all about Rent (as it was for most people my age). Everyone has a Rent story and I have several so maybe a separate post on that later.
In college, I had a few albums I bounced between that, when I listen to them now, I remember where I was then compared to where I am now... and I smile. The music helped me through. But college wasn't just music. Girl, Interrupted was my #1 go-to book for the 4.5 years I was at school. The number of times I sat up all night and read that book in 1 sitting is too many to even count. Again... art has an impact.
So where am I going with this? Well, we all have memories. Good, bad, and everything in between... it's there. Art that has helped you or been there like a warm hug can bring up those good, bad, and everything else memories. Something that you once loved can now be difficult to encounter because it could bring up something you don't want to remember. You may have to put a book back on the shelf for a few years until you can stomach opening it again. Maybe a movie you once couldn't get enough of is now tainted.
Whatever the case may be, embrace the impact that this art has left on you. If you need time away from something before revisiting it, allow yourself that time. Healing takes time and needs the room to breathe. You can make space in your heart and mind for the healing by letting go of the bad things sitting there. Then, once you feel like you're in a better place, you can bring those things back in that you once loved.
Turning bad memories into good ones is no easy task, but it makes for more peaceful living.
- Danielle
