Why do we like to sing?
It makes us feel good. It is cathartic. It moves the body, the mind, the soul. It touches parts of us that speaking alone can’t reach. The texts we sing are often beautifully crafted poetry that help us step outside of our daily thoughts, and to touch those listening to the music.
Even when the text is sorrowful, when you focus nonetheless on the experience of being together in community, sharing your voice with others like a gift, the result is so powerful that it literally moves people physically. Not only you—but your audience, as well.
So, as you’re singing, focus on why you love to sing. That’s part of mindfulness practice. We can still work out kinks in rehearsal or less desirable parts of the voice while loving what we’re doing.
Some believe that music is the language of God, or Spirit, or Soul, and cannot be fully understood, only experienced. We listen to it, we embody it, we release it into the space we all inhabit, together. Whatever you call it -- We sing.