Good morning! I hope the world is being good to you and you’re being good to it.

Grab your coffee or beverage of choice and share a thought with me!

At some point during my years, I stopped listening to music at a high volume. I’m not talking “ear-splitting permanent damage” levels, just high enough to drown out the world and take over your senses. That’s when you can really feel and connect with the music. For whatever reason, I stopped doing that until just the other day when I rediscovered the commoving qualities of listening to music with the volume turned up.

Perhaps I grew more protective of my hearing or wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything in the world around me. Maybe music simply wasn’t hitting the notes it used to. I can’t identify for certain the impetus behind my changed behavior. I mean, I’m a drummer and used to play in bands; being loud and feeling the music is part of my DNA. Thankfully, a simple nudge brings it all back.

First, I discovered a new playlist on Apple Music called “Guitar Throwback”, which contains any song I could’ve loved from the years I really started getting into music and forward. Next, I happened to be listening with a surprisingly good pair of headphones, the Koss UR40, a reasonably priced open-back pair of traditional headphones. I’ve used them for well over a year now but never really “opened” them up. Then, a good song has to play to stir the motivation to go a little louder. I think in this case it was something by Tool. Lastly, I felt the rhythm taking hold and wanted to hear things a little better, then a little more, and a little more.

Instantly, I ascended to a higher plane as an overwhelming feeling of zen coursed through me. The headphones sent crisp and meaty tones straight to the pleasure center in my brain, and my senses were commandeered for a moment of bliss that recalled pleasant memories of experiences I’d not had in years. I never fell out of love with music, but I definitely forgot how to enjoy it. That moment was like rekindling a relationship with an old friend.

Since then, I’ve found additional opportunities to let the loudness in. Windows down while cruising the road and belting out Wonderwall or Jeremy definitely connected me back to carefree teenage years. I highly recommend turning the volume up if you’re feeling disconnected from the music that used to make you happy. Maybe you’re not disconnected but just need to rediscover what a good song can do when you can feel it in your soul. If you’re lucky enough to not be experiencing any of the above, turn it up anyway, because the whole song deserves to be heard and needs your undivided attention. Trust me, it will give you the break you didn’t know you needed.