Recording artists often use music as a means of self-expression, and people listen to music because they can generally identify with what is being expressed.

There is a song that adapts to any situation, circumstance and emotion. Music can soothe, calm and relax. Music can also depress, anger, and agitate. It all depends on what you’re listening to.

Music strikes a chord within us that taps into our emotions. The melody, the rhythm, the beat and the lyrics create an experience in which we channel our feelings.

The repetition and reiteration of key words and phrases in music helps us remember songs to sing along to, but at the same time it also invokes the power of suggestion, awakening our subconscious mind.

For many people music is like a medicine. A friend of mine refers to music as her “drug of choice” of hers.

A proper dose of music may be just what the doctor ordered, but it’s important that we take the time to identify the best prescription and dosage for our particular state of mind.

Unlike prescription drugs or drugs, music does not come with address labels or instructions. We take music by choice and at our own risk.

Bob was an alcoholic, with low self-esteem and was always depressed. His greatest fear was that his wife would leave him and he would be left alone. His favorite musical prescription was the blues. Bob got drunk every day and sang the blues. If it wasn’t blues, he didn’t want to hear it. One day, Bob came home to find that he was actually performing his favorite blues songs. His “baby” left him.

Angie lacked self-confidence, thought she was overweight and felt unattractive. She loved listening to R&B and Pop. She listened to India Arie and Christina Aguilera every day. The more she listened to her favorite songs “Beautiful” and “Video”, the more she felt comfortable with herself. Angie now feels good about herself and, as a result, she is doing well in all areas of her life.

While we can’t blame music for the circumstances of our lives, we can blame ourselves for not listening to music that inspires us to greatness, lifts our hearts, or plants meaningful seeds in our subconscious mind.

When we sing songs and repeat the lyrics over and over again, those words have power and become affirmations. Spoken words, including singing, are powerful. Our words, whether we are speaking, singing, or repeating, reinforce universal laws like the law of attraction.

You’ve heard the saying “you are what you eat”. I think the same can be said about music. You are what you listen to.

What a scary thought if your favorite song is “I’m a Flirt” by R. Kelly; there’s hope if it’s “Everyone Cared” by Nickelback.

If music is like medicine to you, or if it’s your drug of choice, make sure you’re taking the right prescription and the right dosage.

I take a daily dose of “Never Give Up” by Tommy Lockhart.