Calming the Savage Beast

Music has always meant the world to me. It gets me through anything in my life. It has even helped me in school. I would form my notes into a poem and make a song out of it. I would never have issues passing a test.

Growing up in a family, with every nationality you could think of, I was introduced to all kinds of music when I was younger. I love almost every genre there is. I can always find something to listen to.

I developed Roid-Rage after being on Prednisone for over thirteen years. Physically or mentally, the atmosphere I put myself in is extremely important. I have to stay balanced no matter what I do, no matter where I am.

Even though it has been a little while since I have been on the medication, I have permanent side effects that I need to keep in check. One minute I can be angry, but the right song will calm me down.

When I write or study, I love to listen to Violin Hip Hop, Saxophone Jazz, or Classical music. It has to be instrumental because lyrics can be distracting. I will end up dancing, singing along with the song, or write the lyrics. When doing this, I listen to Lucine Fyelon, Damien Escobar, Brian King Joseph, and Hilary Hahn.

When I cook, clean the house, or do the yard, I listen to Hip Hop, Neo Soul, or Old School music. I love to dance while working around the house. It is fun and I am done in no time. When I do this, I listen to Ella Mae, Charlie Wilson, and Usher.

When I exercise, I have to count, so listening to songs with words does not work for me. When I do not count, I can listen to anything. Again, the words can be very distracting. When I do this, I go to YouTube and enter Instrumental Hip Hop Beats. All kinds of instrumental play that are slow and not too fast.

Music means everything to me. It is my heartbeat.

When I was blind for almost four years, music kept me going. I have cysts behind my eyes.

While recovering from 15 surgeries and biopsies, music was my television. Opra music is my favorite because it hits my emotional core. Even if I cannot understand the words, I can feel what they are saying.

I work from home because of my medical condition. It is hard for me to keep a job due to my condition. Almost anything can trigger me, and that alone is very frustrating. There is no way I could get through the day without music.

I ended up getting sick when I was traveling, so I am so frightened to go anywhere. Music allows me to escape my reality, relax, be balanced, and enjoy a dance or two.

My favorite song of all time is Fire and Ice by Rick James and Teena Marie. When I hear that song, it has so much feeling in it, I ignore everything that is going on. My day seems to clear up after I hear that song. I close my eyes, move my head back and forth, and listen to it like it was the first time. I have to play it loud every time.

No matter what I go through in life, music is all I have. I have no one except my parents. I do not have a family myself. And, being an only child, it tends to get very peaceful. I do not get lonely because I love my own company… and music.