Notes

Our lives seem to be documented by the melodic notes that are written by those people who have the special gift of song writing. They write songs that seem to track our joys and sorrows, our victories and defeats.

In a song, simple notes are strung together to become much more than they are separately. In fact, when they are assembled by an artist motivated by their real life experiences, they can end up being not only the symphony of the artist’s life, but ours as well.

Music is a powerful memory trigger, too, and if we take the time to review the notes that were playing in the background during the important parts of our lives, we can be transported back to all the feelings of those touchstone moments. The great joys of yesterday can bring a smile to our face today; the sad times can bring us into a cathartic state as we mourn the loss of a love, or some other poignant event in our lives. A song of courage or fortitude, written by someone we don’t even know, can spur our own urge to take a stand.

Consider how simple a single note is, and how powerful it can become when brought together with other notes by a person willing to empty their true self into the song. It’s truly amazing.

Personally, I’ve often longed for the skills and creativity needed to string together notes into a complex collection that could spur emotion. Alas, this is not a skill I can call my own; but there are notes of a different kind that all of us have the skills and inherent ability to play.

In today’s age, we are connected to each other in so many ways, email, texting, social networks (like Facebook) and many more; but it also seems we know each other less and less. If you’re like me and can’t organize notes into a beautiful song, you can simply pen a hand-written note to share with someone special.

Drug store cards are nice, but can never represent your true connection with another human being, but a hand-written note, perhaps on some specially purchased stationery, can genuinely convey your congratulations, sympathy, or love. It seems we may be losing this way of connecting with each other, viewing it as old-fashioned or nostalgic, but I would argue we need it now more than ever. Unlike a note in a beautiful song, these notes can stand on their own. They can also spur emotion; bring joy, or express profound sadness.

So, if you’re like me and have longed for the ability to write a song, write instead a simple note; a note to someone that has touched your life in a significant way. Send the note off in the mail and let it surprise them. Can you imagine how they will feel when they receive a hand-written note from you expressing how they have made a difference in your life?

I bet it will be music to their eyes.