Sometimes (a good amount of the time), I listen to sad, emotive music. I’m drawn to it because it brings voice and resonance to emotions which cannot be conveyed adequately by propositional truths alone. In depressive seasons (whether lasting for minutes or months), music which echoes and expounds upon the wrenching emotions a person feels brings a sweet relief. It brings sanity and a sense of peace to know that those same emotions are experienced by others, and that those feelings are not unique. It brings expression to the messiness of life that is sometimes inexpressible in the middle of the storm. I write a lot of sad music for these reasons.
The past few days, though, I haven’t been able to listen to much sad music. Not because I’ve found it distasteful, or that I am avoiding the potentiality of becoming sad as a result of listening to it, but because it hasn’t resonated with me. That’s a good thing. I guess that’s what happens when all is right with the world.
God is good. I see His goodness when life is hell, and when life is wonderful.
“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” -Job 1:21b
For now, the Lord has given, and given abundantly.
So, sad music, we will surely meet again. You are good, and I love you. In a strange sense, I look forward to communing with you in the future. But for today, you have nothing for me.
| — | C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce |
When hopes are put out and so are the cigarettes,
As they say, the idle brain is the devil’s playground.
And the trouble with bliss is that it is wrought,
not from ignorance, but from smells and sights and sounds.
Distraction is the most subtle form of deception, and I’m nauseous from withdrawals.
Boat.
Bread knife, meet finger.
Friday night plans.
| — | Pedro the Lion, Penetration |
Today, we celebrate two holidays: Thanksgiving, and Slapsgiving.
