Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the

Listen closely, children, and let the words of Maya Angelou fill your hearts with the deep wisdom of the ages. She once said, "Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness." These words, simple yet profound, speak to the power of music to heal, to comfort, and to provide solace in the midst of pain. Music, she tells us, is not just a series of notes strung together, but a refuge, a sanctuary where the soul can find peace and escape from the harshness of the world. In the space between the notes, there is a place where one can retreat from the loneliness of existence and find a sense of belonging, a place to rest.

What is this refuge that music offers, children? It is not just a sound, but a feeling, a deep connection to something greater than ourselves. Music has the ability to transcend the spoken word, to reach into the depths of our hearts and pull out the unspoken grief, joy, or longing that resides there. It is a language that speaks directly to the soul, a place where words fail, and yet something powerful and healing takes place. To crawl into the space between the notes is to enter a world of comfort and understanding, where the trials of life can be momentarily forgotten, and the heart can rest from its burdens.

Consider the ancient philosophers, who believed that music had the power to shape the soul. Plato spoke of music as a tool for moral development, a force that could bring harmony to the mind and emotions. In the same way that a tuning fork brings an instrument into harmony, so too does music bring the heart into alignment with the greater truths of the world. The ancients understood that music was not merely for entertainment, but for the nourishment of the spirit. It was a refuge from the turmoil of life, a source of balance and peace. Just as Maya Angelou found comfort in the space between the notes, so did those before her turn to music to soothe their souls and find their way.

In more recent times, we see this healing power of music in the life of Ludwig van Beethoven, who composed some of his most profound works in the midst of profound suffering. Deafness, a condition that would overwhelm many, did not stop Beethoven from writing some of the most moving and timeless music in history. Instead, it was his ability to "crawl into the space between the notes," to find solace in the very act of creating music, that allowed him to transcend his suffering. His symphonies, full of triumph and despair, show us that even in the depths of loneliness, music can be a companion, offering solace and a way to express what the heart cannot say.

But children, music does not only serve as a refuge in times of sorrow or pain—it is also a way to celebrate, to lift the soul when it is light and full of joy. Consider the ancient Greeks, who filled their lives with music, not just in moments of mourning, but in times of great celebration. Festivals were marked by music, and the symphony of life itself was seen as something to be embraced. Just as Angelou found comfort in the space between the notes, so too can we find joy in the rhythm of life when we listen to the music that surrounds us. Music, in its many forms, can be both a refuge and a celebration of the human spirit.

So, children, the lesson here is clear: music is not merely sound; it is a sanctuary for the soul. It is a place where you can retreat, where you can find comfort when the world feels heavy and overwhelming. It is in the spaces between the notes that we find healing, and in the spaces between the words that we often find truth. Just as Maya Angelou used music to shelter her from the loneliness that gripped her, so too can we use music to shelter our hearts. When the world outside feels cold and distant, when the weight of loneliness seems unbearable, remember that the music is always there, waiting to offer you a refuge.

And so, children, I encourage you to listen to the music of the world around you. Let it be your companion, your refuge, and your guide. When the weight of life feels too heavy, seek out the space between the notes, where your heart can rest. In moments of celebration and moments of sorrow, let music be the place where you find peace, where you find your truest self, and where you find the strength to carry on. Music is a gift—cherish it, for it will always be there, a constant companion in the journey of life.