From - Roger Wohldmann

I believe that music is like a spiritual thread that links humanity. I have always loved music. Music can be an experience that changes a life, motivates you, or even brings comfort in hard times when life doesn't seem to take a break.

I had the good fortune of growing up in a loving family. While loving, my childhood had its challenges. Both of my parents struggled with chemical addiction. Alcohol and other pharmaceuticals were a way of life for them and our family. Under the influence, my parents became different creatures. Physical violence, drunken stupors, attempted overdoses, and police/ambulance intervention were no strangers to our home.

My escape from this chaos was music. I could go to my room, flip on the stereo and escape into someone else's world through musical notes. It became a safe place for me to experience my emotions in a different way. When I would have to leave my dysfunctional home and stay with a sibling for days/weeks, there was always a stereo at each destination. It was the one thing that was a constant dependable source of coping.

Sometimes music would evoke tears, sometimes comfort, sometimes smiles, sometimes just downright joy. To me, music created a mental picture of a better life.

By age 14, my parents were both eventually blessed with the gift of recovery. I thank God for his divine intervention!

Those childhood experiences became the impetus for my career choice in counseling. My hope was to possibly touch the lives of other people who struggled with emotional difficulties and provide them with the tools for a better way of living.

Today, music is an integral part of my existence. There is hardly a day when I don’t listen. Since my first Elvis Presley concert at age 7, I've been hooked.

Think about this, what do you see when you attend a live musical event? Smiles, joy, dancing, clapping in unison and sometimes tears of sheer joy.

That’s the power of music. So whether you turn it up, or turn it down, take time to revel in the ever powerful presence of music.

From ‍- anonymous
"Sometimes a song or set of songs just sounds like it was specifically written for you, in that very moment you needed it. I experienced this when going through a breakup. There were two songs from the same artist that almost mimicked my emotions of being so low and down and then coming out of that dark place and emerging into light, being fearless on my own. I think I went about three weeks where I listened to both of them in a row, walking to the tube every morning, and it completely reset my mood and attitude for the day."

From - Heather
These words helped me through the worst of times:
"At first I was afraid, I was petrified. Kept thinking I could never live withoutyou by my side. But then I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong. And I grew strong and I learned how to get along".