J.O: I think music is so powerful for a number of reasons. First of all, music can say things that we can’t. Personally, I sometimes have trouble figuring out how I feel and sometimes music can help me understand how I`m feeling. Lyrics can really help people express their emotions, in a way that can be difficult or uncomfortable. I always say, if you want to know how I've been feeling, look at my recently played songs on my iPod. Music can completely change somebody’s emotions. A song that somebody listened to during a happy time in their life may bring back happy or nostalgic feelings, but a song associated with a dark time in somebody`s life may bring back the sad feelings. I think music is also powerful because it can completely change an atmosphere for example a scary movie is so much scarier with tension building music in the background. Happy, fast beat music can make people get up and sing and dance, but sad music can make people cry. I think it`s incredible that something as simple as a beat, instruments, and a voice can create such emotion. Music has always been a part of human life. It is a way to socialize with one another, and always has been. Music brings people together in many different ways. At concerts, people celebrate their favourite music together. At a funeral music may help celebrate one’s life. In our society poetry has started to fade away, and I feel that music may be beginning to take its place. It is a artistic and creative way for people to express how they are feelings, without judgement. That is why I think music is so powerful.

               S.O: Music can reduce negative human emotions such as: fear, anxiety and sadness. This alone makes it a very powerful thing. Music can also elicit emotions, bring back memories, pump you up and even help you sleep and relax. It can have a big influence on us; almost like it can hijack parts of our brain and change or affect our moods. People often feel like they can actually relate to certain music.  It can comfort us when we are sad and help us through a difficult time. Personally I needed music to get me through two births. It helped me escape from the pain. Music also brings people together which is powerful in itself.  Music can help to understand different generations and cultures. It is both a very social and personal thing all around the world and is something that all people regardless of sex or race share and enjoy.

           P.O: Music to me basically expresses emotion (love, despair, happiness, insecurity, etc..)  You can find music that expresses all human emotions and this is why it is so appealing and powerful. Different music from around the world expresses their cultures in a way and different types of music express the different feelings and rhythms people live by.

Music is very universal in that every culture has different ways of expressing music. It is also very historical; different times in history had unique music that represented the time. Music is also age related in that certain types of music tend to appeal to certain age groups.

There are also so many types of music, appealing to so many different people. Different instruments appeal to different people. Some people are moved by the sound of a particular instrument or voice.  But, overall I think music is so powerful because it simply expresses our feelings.

WHAT DO YOU FIND CALM IN A CHAOTIC WORLD?

              J.O:  I’m the type of person who worries and stresses A LOT, so it has been really important to find things that calm me down when the anxiety hits. The first thing I normally do is stop what I’m doing, close my eyes, and just breathe. I know that sounds too simple to help, but by taking deep breaths and thinking of something that makes me happy, it reminds me that everything is okay. Another thing I do to stay calm when everything seems chaotic is make a “worry list”. This is a trick I came up with last year that really seems to help me. I write down a list of the things that are stressing me out. They can be as big as an exam, or as small as my nail polish is chipped. Then as I finish or fix the things that are bothering me, I cross them off the list. This helps me realize that everything does work out in the end and just to worry about one thing at a time. These tricks help me with stressful times, but for the moments when everything seems to be rapidly spinning out of my control, a more serious plan has to take action. This sounds silly, but I find it helps to have a short cry. It helps get all the negative thoughts out, and makes me realize that everything is okay. Then I make tea and clean my room, all while trying to take deep breaths. Tea and cleaning relaxes me. Nothing calms me down more than having a nice clean room. This world can be crazy. I can feel completely out of control and stressed, but if you really sit back and look at the big picture, everything is going to work out. Yes, there may be some late nights, some tears, and some hectic days, but in the end everything is going to work out.

               S.O: Being fortunate to live in Canada and having the comfortable and safe life I have, my world is not very chaotic. However, when reading the news paper and or watching the news about war torn places or other inhumane things happening in the world  I find it helpful to do what I can, even if it is only a little. Signing petitions, donating to helpful causes all help calm me when thinking about the chaos in the world. Staying aware and educated about what is happening and focusing on the positive also helps.

 In my life I find that my home is my calming place. I am lucky to live outside of the city surrounded by trees and water; both of which I find very calming. Living away from the hustle and noise of the city allows us to enjoy time in the city and then come home to a peaceful home.  I also find walking my dog in the forest very calming. Once I am amongst the trees my mind clears, body relaxes and any stresses seem to dissipate. When my girls were young I loved bringing them camping where there would be no electricity, noise, pollution etc.. just us and nature for awhile. This was calmness that would last even for awhile after we were home! Things as simple as a gathering with family and or friends are also a nice reminder that all is not chaotic in this world.

                  P.O: When I am feeling that life is chaotic my family and the good friendships I have calm me. Simple things like skiing in the winter, canoeing, gardening and golfing in the summer make the world seem very peaceful. Volunteering to help others and helping people, even in small ways, also helps deal with chaos.

When I worked in the hospital for many years it often became chaotic but by knowing that I was helping people alleviated the chaos. Helping people and getting the job done was so satisfying and rewarding that the chaos kind of disappeared. When I would get home from a busy day listening to music and being with family made me calm (most of the time). Other times, I just wouldn’t sleep. Regardless, I was always ready to return the next day.