Finding Hope Through Music

Here is a story about music and hope. A story that takes place at one of the least likely of places — a hospital room.

She’s in her late 30s and has been in the hospital for over a week dealing with various medical needs, many of which are a direct result of substance abuse issues. Her nurse told me that she is medically cleared to leave the hospital but has a lot of anxiety around going home. They asked me to visit. When I walked in, she looked tired, a little anxious and there was a "hardness" to her face. She was also quite guarded. I said “hello” and just asked her how she was doing today. Cautiously, she said, “I’m doing okay… better.” I asked her if I could sit for a minute and, again with caution, she said, “Okay.”

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I just started talking with her. I asked her how she was passing the time while here in the hospital and where she was from. When she realized we were just "talking," she seemed to ease in a bit. “The TV gets old… I try to read. Not much to really do. I grew up in Colorado but I’m fairly new here.” I asked her what she liked to do. “I like museums. I like weird art.” (She giggled.) She kept looking at my guitar that was to the side, so I finally said, “Oh, yeah. So… I’m a music therapist."

I asked her if she ever played an instrument and she told me that she tried the guitar once but wants to learn. I asked her if I could get mine out and maybe play something. She smiled sheepishly and said, “Sure.” I said, “Okay, how about I play some music and you just breathe and use this time to take a little break from everything. No pressure. Just for a few minutes. A little break. Just listen and breathe.” She said, “Okay.”

And Then... Music

I just started playing. I started in with some open chords, more minor and with some tension… but grounding. She watched me play for a few minutes, then closed her eyes. Then we went… I slowly moved from minor/dissonance to more major/harmonic themes, gradually decreasing tempo and intensity. Moving and changing the music, in the moment, as she needed. Using the music to guide her along and to help prompt a relaxation response. Her face softened, with eyes closed. As I was looking at her, suddenly her face looked… peaceful. Almost angelic. After about 15 minutes, I brought the music to a close.

After a moment, she slowly opened her eyes and gave a soft smile. “That was awesome. I felt light… like floating in the sky. High… but in a good way.” We spoke about finding “little breaks” when we need it. Re-setting. And her smile… angelic. I asked her if I could play a song for her. “A song about looking forward, about new beginnings.” “Yes!” she said, as her eyes opened wide.

I went into a relaxed version of Times Like These by Foo Fighters (a song I use a lot when working with people who seem to be in need of a "new beginning"). She held my eye contact and also watched my guitar playing. She was sitting up in the bed with her legs crossed and was swaying to the rhythm. She now looked youthful. Peaceful. Her eyes were wide the entire time.

“It’s times like these you learn to live again.

It’s times like these you give and give again.

It’s times like these you learn to love again.

Times like these, time and time again.”

When I finished, she gave a big smile. Have I mentioned that she now looked… angelic? I asked her, “What do you think that song is about?” After a brief pause, with a few tears glistening on her cheeks, she said... “Hope.”

How did we get to hope? Through the music. Music and songs, like nothing else, can prompt many ideas, emotions, and feelings. Music can help us to relax. Music can speak for us when we can’t find the words. Music can create a feeling of empathy. Music can empower. Music can be therapy. And music can bring on a feeling of hope. Even when you’ve been struggling and hope seemed far away. Even when you need a sense of moving forward. Even in a hospital… music can bring on a feeling of hope.

The healing power of music…

(*The stories presented in this blog are based on accounts or experiences.)