Classical piano music fills my family room and kitchen in the morning as I watch my daughter play with her toys. She picks up a cow plushie and her Squishmallow cat, then carries them to another part of the room. She lays her head on them and babbles.
Listening to classical music is great for concentration and memory, and it can even release dopamine — the “happiness chemical.”
Toddlers love simple joys, and it’s a pleasure to learn from my daughter. I can’t wait for her to learn how to play the piano, as she already shows an interest in it. At home with my daughter, I sing to her often — sometimes songs written by artists, sometimes ones I improvise.
Music has always been a big part of my life. I sang in school choirs and community choirs, and once performed in the chorus for an Italian opera at a local winery, as well as singing at my parish. Each choral performance was a wonderful experience.
Music is a must-have in my mental health toolkit. I keep playlists for different moods, which help me find calm, focus, or happiness. Music helps me change my emotional state when I need it.
“Music, great music, relaxes the mind, awakens profound sentiments and is, as it were, a natural invitation to raise one’s mind and heart to God in every situation of human existence, both joyful and sad. Music can become prayer.” — Pope Benedict XVI
Sacred and worship music hold deep meaning for me, and they make me feel good — even better about myself. It’s a wonder that it has that effect. Many Christian songs have come to my aid in low moods. I sometimes get caught up worrying about all the bad things that could happen instead of being present to the moment. This causes me to feel sad and discouraged. The words of Scripture set to music bring me peace and comfort.
Medication is still needed, but with music in my day, I can do more and feel like a calmer person.
I used to play ukulele with my friend Stephanie and a group of seniors. Once, for my birthday, we went to a mall in the city that had a piano in its food court. Stephanie sat down and started playing songs I could sing along with. We had so much fun! People danced beside us, and an elderly couple said they loved our voices.
The Lord loves cheerfulness in his people. It can be a struggle to smile when I’m tired and emotionally drained, but I know that being warm and happy helps my family feel content too. I don’t want to wear a mask, but I also don’t want to stay in a low mood. It’s better to cheer up than to ruminate. I need to use cognitive behaviour therapy to change my negative thinking.
I can imagine Mother Mary singing to Jesus when he was growing up. Her voice must have been smooth and sweet.
The Lord created such talent in people to compose great works. One example is the British singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier, whose work has garnered many awards. He won the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella, for his rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Water. It was his seventh Grammy.
Jacob is a musical influence for me, like the saints are mentors for my daily living. It is important to have a good role model in your life. That is why I read the lives of the saints and the New Testament. We learn from their stories to help us grow in holiness.
I hope that when my daughter starts to practise the piano, I will too. I hope to take out my ukulele and refresh my memory on how to play it for her benefit. And when she needs guidance in faith, she will know where to find it — in Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the saints.
The soft piano music weaves in and out of my mind. I feel serene and ready to make a great day.
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