A few days ago, I was taking a drive out to the local mall to pay some bills and pick up a new dress. It was a warm day and the sun was at its peak. I decided to plug in my iPod, roll down the windows and blast the music for my ride. At this moment, the first song that came on was “If Tonight Was My Last” by Laura Izibor (for all you fellow "OTH" fans, she is the woman Haley discovers through the help line). The lyrics of this song go on to explain how no matter what happens to her, she will be OK with her love by her side. All of a sudden I found myself crying. Tears were rolling down my cheeks and my breathing turned into sobs.

I then realized I was crying not because I was sad or hurt, but because I WASN’T sad or hurt. That day was a good day. I cried because, while driving down this back road listening to Izibor’s words, I noticed the grass was extra green and the sun extra-bright. I noticed that in that moment, I was OK, and the weight of life didn’t feel so heavy.

My point of this whole story is we don’t realize how much music can impact our lives. We take music for granted because it’s something that has always been there even if it is subtly playing in the background. However, we don’t appreciate it nor acknowledge the influence it has on us.

When we are getting ready for a night out, we turn on upbeat music that gets us excited and happy to spend a night out with friends. When two people marry, they spend hours trying to find the perfect love song to have their first dance to. When we are having a bad day, we turn on calming or relaxing music so for a second, our world slows down and you get a chance to take a breath. We know when a movie is about to go good, bad, scary, sad, etc., because producers pick out music that brings out those feelings with melodies and lyrics.

Since that day, I’ve sat down and made multiple playlists. I have a playlist of songs that get me pumped for a workout. I have a playlist that has all of my pick-me-up songs for when I need a reminder that I am doing OK. That’s only the beginning.

My suggestion: next time you’re in your car or sitting in your room, turn on the radio, go on YouTube or search top hits this week. Then pick a song and listen to it—really listen to it. How does it make you feel? What does the artist want you to feel? Appreciate the sound you are listening to. Realize in that moment, that very song is doing something for you. It’s giving you a moment to escape into another world where the grass is always greener and the sun is always brighter.