The taste of music differs from person to person based on their likes and dislikes. In this essay, I use music as a metaphor for the news or experiences we receive in life—just as musical preferences vary, the impact of news and experiences is personal to each of us. The genre of music I prefer would not be the same as another person's. So, the music that pleases my ears would be unpleasant for some.
Eg. a scratch on my car would disturb me, but not my neighbor.
Suppose we compare good music to the good news that makes us happy. Such as hearing that a friend admires our work, waking up to a sunny forecast, or finding out we did well on an assignment—each of these brings a smile to our faces. Happiness is a state of mind that we all want to be in, so all that comes to our ears should be music to our ears. That music is melodious and soothing to the heart, always calming us. It gives us hope as we rejoice at the news that comes to our ears.
However, music is not always soothing to the ear. Sometimes, it can be more like hard rock, representing bad news or stressful updates that jolt us and make us uneasy. These moments could raise our heart rate, give us an ache, and even make us gulp repeatedly as we try to process what we hear.
Now, the two paragraphs above clearly show that our state of mind—whether happiness or sorrow—can depend on the news we hear. Of course, it is not just external events that shape our mood; sometimes our inner thoughts, past experiences, or even how we feel physically can influence our emotions just as much as the news we receive.
Fortunately, life is tough for all. While some people may seem to handle whatever comes their way with ease, it is important to remember that everyone is on their own journey of learning how to respond to life's challenges. Developing emotional intelligence is not instant—it is a process that everyone goes through, and that looks different for each of us. As we practice and grow, we gradually find that our responses become calmer and more measured. Over time, this growth helps us experience even the harshest news with greater peace, making all genres of music that reach our ears more soothing, like the sound of a flute.
How do they do it?
When any news comes across our ears:
- Pause and Reflect.
- Respond neutrally with the thought that sorrow and happiness are temporary.
- Practice Gratitude and ask the universe for guidance, especially when the news is not pleasant.
- You will find a solution to the agitation, and that is only possible if the mind is at rest and not cluttered.
- Reflect on the solution.
The art of reflection doesn’t come naturally.
We have first to embrace the art of loneliness, which is not actually being alone, but the art in which the mind and the intellect are given space to have dialogues with each other. Think of it like sitting quietly at a park bench, letting your thoughts wander without distractions from phones or conversation. This solitude gives your mind the room it needs to sort things out, just as a composer may sit alone before writing a new song. Now, while these two are busy, you, as a body, should be left alone, because it can get cumbersome if many bodies are around.
To begin practicing this, try setting aside just five minutes each day to sit quietly without any devices, simply observing your thoughts as they come and go. You might choose a peaceful spot at home or outside, close your eyes, and breathe deeply. If a thought lingers, let it move on and gently return your focus to your breath or the environment around you. It can help to keep a simple journal nearby to jot down insights that arise. Over time, this small habit will help you create the mental space needed for reflection and make the art of loneliness more natural and comforting.
Then, when any music comes to your ears, you’ll first pause and count to five before responding to it, whether it be good or bad.
This small step gives our minds a moment to process what we have heard and decide how we want to feel or respond, rather than just reacting right away.
In your life, you should hold the baton of reaction.
Do not let outside events control your reactions.
We can control our emotions in response to what comes to our ears! That will show our true emotional intelligence, rather than reacting to all that comes our way and then lamenting that life is tough!
Mantra: Your life, Your reactions!
