Art and Music

Humanity, the collective will or expression of human unity, has birthed many great works of paper and tempo. It is in art and music that humanity has found its heart and soul. For countless years we have delved within ourselves to understand not only the nature of reality, but of thought itself.

These forms of expression are like windows into the soul of not only the creators, but of the entirety of humankind. Music especially is important as it allows you to not only connect with the heart, but also the mind.

Artistic expression is fundamental to the evolution of humanity, as it allows us to find harmony with who we are and who we want to be. Music, to me, speaks to my soul in ways that no other medium has come close.

That feeling as you hear your favourite song is like a rush of warmth radiating along your body. It’s cords, known to your ears and your soul, as the words and tones merge with your mind. Music can make you sad, angry, happy, or transcendent, all the while urging your body to move with the beat. It’s an art form in and of itself that touches the soul.

Art, as well, can confuse you, enlighten you, or move you to tears as your interpretation delves deep into your subconscious mind. It allows you to not only see yourself in a different light, but the world as well. Illuminated by color, moved by brushstrokes, and birthed from the creativity of the soul itself.

Free expression in the form of music or art is like the language of the soul. From writing to painting, sculpture to music, each of us has a different soul language. Each expression is important, different for each viewer, listener, or creator, but yet each tug at a similar aspect within each of us.

Beauty surrounds us everyday, it’s found in the colours of springtime, the birdsongs that echo on an early morning, and in the hearts and minds of those that love.

Artistic expression is a fundamental need for humankind, and without it we are incomplete. I was one of the lucky few who grew up with art and music both at home on Saturday mornings with my mom and Bob Ross, to art projects in school. These lessons I learned about the nature of art and music helped shape who I am today.

They taught me that expression can take many forms from many creators. It showed me the varying levels found within the subconscious mind and the conscious heart. It challenged me both as a creator and an interpreter, it pushed past the walls I set for myself. Expanded the boundaries of what I thought possible and created common ground to grow with humanity.

I learned more about myself from art and music than all other courses combined. It not only helped strengthen my mind and soul, but allowed me to develop abstract thinking. This is a skill that is poorly cultivated by the current educational regime due to budget or political concerns, and we are all diminished for it.

Music and art are important in shaping the hearts, minds, and souls of the next generation. That same generation that will shape our world in the coming decades.

If they do not experience the wonder and beauty that lives within the creative soul, they will never completely know themselves. If they do not know themselves, how then can they understand others; and if they cannot understand others, how can they shape the future of the collective humanity?

We need expression as an outlet for our hearts, minds, and souls to not only help us define ourselves, but help others define who they are. We need to return art and music to our education system to paint or sing the collective crescendo of our species.

These skills developed from creation and introspection help shape how we perceive certain situations. It allows us to think beyond our current limitations to find new solutions to age-old problems, and forces us to ask new questions of ourselves and each other.

“You either create a world for everyone or else you will end up in a world fit for no one.”

—John Ames Birch