Music as Inspiration
When the 2017 film “The Greatest Showman” came out, I did not know how it would change my life for the better. Music is a funny thing because music can be therapeutic, make you angry, encapsulate your feelings at any given moment, bring forth laughter, or elicit some other reaction. Truthfully, I was eager to see Hugh Jackman, the Wolverine, star in a musical. I did not know he could sing, let alone sing well. This is not a commentary on the film itself but a reflection on how one song, in particular, has lifted me repeatedly when feeling down.
I think we all have experienced this feeling at some point in our lives. Especially as students, many of us relate to the feelings of doubt and unfaltering self-reflection that forces us to wonder if we are on the right path. Recently, I have been considering my future. This entails becoming stressed and being filled with uncertainty. It is like you are trapped in a never-ending game of chess, and the increasing pressure of expectations is keeping you from moving freely, forever fearful of being put in the dreaded position of checkmate.
“A Million Dreams,” sung by Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, and Ziv Zaifman, is my go-to song when I need to feel inspired. I think that in many ways, this song reminds me of what I am working towards achieving. It reminds me of the “million dreams” I have. To be honest, I am not a person who is usually into musicals. However, I think what made this song resonate with me is its relevance. It is not to say this song has been a cure for all my anxiety and doubt when thinking about my future. However, it is a good reminder of the things I have to look forward to after putting in hard work and dedicating time to learning and bettering myself.
Since we were children, we all have dreamed about the future in both realistic and unrealistic ways. I still dream about doing good in the world, about having a family someday, a house with numerous little animals running around, and hosting family dinners. However, looking into the future I see new goals being increasingly important. These days, I no longer dream about being an astronaut, or owning a farm. Instead dream about more practical things, health, safety, and security (you know the things that become important in adulthood). I guess in some ways, my dreams have not changed but rather evolved over time. Maybe a small part of me wishes I could still dream the same way I did as a young child. Nevertheless, I still dream.
The song reminds me that there are going to be people who may think my dreams for the future are far-fetched, but it does not mean that these dreams are not valid or obtainable. The song reminds me of what I am working for, in every assignment I submit, in every application I fill out, and in every endeavor I pursue, whether personal, academic, or professional. The song reminds me that in a few weeks, I am finally going to be walking across the stage, receiving my Bachelor’s degree, and getting one step closer to achieving my dream.
What I think is so fascinating about this is that other people may have a different song that resonates with them and inspires them in their day-to-day life. Maybe the song that inspires others does not have any words, is in a completely different genre, is in a different language, or is some variation thereof. Or maybe someone’s go-to is a theme song for a pizza commercial. The point is that music is a fantastical tool to help individuals overcome their roadblocks, and stress, or be used to perk someone up. Is there a specific song that inspires you?
Image obtained from Squarespace.
