Everyone listens to music. Whether it's in the car, while going for a run, or doing chores around the house, it seems that music is all around us. To most people, music is something that they enjoy and is a way to express themselves through song. Like them, I enjoy music and I also express myself through song; however, to me, there is much more meaning behind music than just the notes and lyrics.

All throughout my childhood and adolescent years, I have been involved in music in some way or another. When I was younger, I would create dance routines to accompany my most favorite songs. All through elementary, middle, and high school I was involved in choir. I was blessed to have an ear for pitch and enjoyed being able to quickly learn to read sheet music and stay in key. I tried piano lessons, but my hands are just too small to reach all the keys; somehow, I have managed to make playing acoustic guitar work out despite my childlike hands. I love playing instruments and singing, but music as a whole means a lot more to me than creating pretty sounds.

I have always been more of a shy, introverted person. I find more pleasure in staying secluded in my room listening to music on a Friday night than going to a slumber party with a group of girls who hardly know anything about me. That's just my personality. With music, I am able to fully express my emotions and how I am feeling through words and different styles of music without it looking odd. I am able to sing out from deep down and get things off my chest that I wouldn't have otherwise told anyone about. Music is my own little outlet to let go of anger or sadness that I may be feeling. It helps me to truly know how I am feeling, even if I don't know how I am feeling myself.

Music isn't just something I have playing in the background, it is my focus. It is my everything. Without music, all those feelings and frustrations would still be trapped within me longing to be released. I owe music a great deal for being there and allowing me to express what I'm feeling inside.