“Shadow of the Day”
Sitting, looking out my window into the darkness of night, listening to music, I am finding a new definition of the lyrics.
Often times, only accepting our own interpretation of the music, we forget that others have their own interpretation. As I stare into the darkness outside, this song I have heard a million times now has a new feeling and meaning rolling through my mind. I open my heart and allow myself to feel someone else’s interpretation.
Is it possible to love music so much that you can allow others’ interpretations to change the song for you? See, it is the darkness of the music that I have always avoided, possibly not hearing the cry of the artist and their meaning. But I cannot help but feel the darkness in this moment and in these lyrics. So now I must interpret this song in a completely different way. Where at once I thought this song was meant to be about love, I now feel the sorrow and shattering of a heart. It is as if my eyes have been opened up to an entirely different world.
So here I am, staring out into the darkness, crying like a baby. This love song is no longer a love song but a heart shattering through lyrics. It’s as if I am hearing it for the first time, even though I have heard it a million times before.
Through the darkness of the night and the lyrics, I am able to feel how this other person’s interpretation will forever change my world. Soon the sun will rise, and I will be begging for the light to come kiss my cheeks and remind me how truly blessed I am to have such an influential person in my life. Teaching me without even knowing they are, and opening my mind to things that I am ashamed to say I tried not to see.
Sometimes you must hear the truth of the lyrics to understand the heart of another. I tend to always try to stay on the brighter side of things, ignoring the fact that many suffer from depression and cannot come from the darkness for the sun to kiss their cheeks. It is so important to remember that while you are passing by someone and seeing sorrow, it is not your joy that will infect them, as their darkness has been sitting in them for a long time. You must accept their interpretation and allow them to see yours, for maybe in taking the time to share your interpretation and acknowledging theirs with the respect it deserves, you both can find a better place. Not all things are filled with sunshine nor are they completely filled with darkness. One thing is for sure: I cannot stand in the light and watch while someone is standing in the darkness alone. I will always from here on out remember that when hearing the lyrics, to see them as light and darkness, as I want to be sure to never pass by how someone may be feeling. By doing this, I am honoring the person’s feelings and gaining understanding into their heart, opening a whole new world for both of us.
May music fill your souls, and no matter your interpretation, I pray someone finds it and respects you enough to give your interpretation validity.
#music#lyrics#mentalhealth#hearingthemusic
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