The Power of Words and Music

I know; I miss you, too. I have not had a hot minute to even think about blogging since I’ve been in NYC between work, friends, a mini-vaca, a death in the family, and not to mention the lack of internet, cable, a couch, a real trash can (all minor details).  But we did just get SILVERWARE!!!!!!!

Sasquatch Festival was… THE BEST. Awesome music, beautiful scenery, even more beautiful friends and new friendships (including bear friends):

Ted E. Bare is the new bear friend.

God’s country.

I was so excited to get back to work! I came back to a brand new, renovated 70-bike studio with blacklights and a disco ball… This place is my heaven on earth.

After my first day back at work, I came home to some horribly heartbreaking and depressing news.  My 39 year old cousin passed away while I was at Sasquatch, leaving a husband and three very young children under the age of 6 behind.

It was unexpected, tragic, and a nightmare, to put it softly.  I am still having trouble processing what happened.

Some tears were shed, but I was just mostly in shock.  Reality had not sunken in yet.  A few days after hearing the news, I took a spin class with a newer instructor that I really like named Denis.  During the last climb, it was a heavier, slower song, and he was speaking some very powerful words.  I can’t even recall exactly what he was saying, but during that song, tears started streaming while on my bike.  I think it was something about all of the people in my life I am lucky to have an lean on, and riding out this climb for them. It sounds cheesey as I type it, but not when Denis was saying it.

It was a short, therapeutic cry.  This instructor had the power to take my emotional state to the next level, and help me let it all out.  Take out some stress and depression on the bike.

As an instructor, you must always be thinking about your riders.  You’re not only there to give them a sweaty, thigh burning workout, but an experience – one they will remember, tell their friends about (or their loyal blog readers), and make sure to keep coming back to.  Some people work out for the physical benefits, but the mental benefits are unlimited.  When I left, I made sure to thank him and to tell him that he had no idea just how badly I needed that.

The moral of the story?  You should strive to create an experience your riders can truly connect with, just by using the power of words.   You might not realize you are their therapist.

Along the same lines, but on a separate vector… Are you one of those people who believes in signs? I have no idea what I believe anymore, but since music is such an important part of my life (and my blog’s life), I feel it necessary to discuss a recent experience revolving around my cousin’s death.

There’s nothing worse in life than having to attend a funeral. Except when you then have to attend the burial. Someone please do something really cool with my body when I’m out of here, like be the test dummy for glitter paint or tattoos or turn me into a real life hologram, because burials are just so depressing.  It’s too permanent.

After an incredibly emotional funeral and burial, my mom, dad and myself got into the car, and the song that was on was “Turn! Turn! Turn!” by The Byrds.  This song is actually comprised of an entire Bible Verse from the Book of Ecclesiatees (minus the last line) that The Byrds adapted into a song.  Immediately my mom and I had the same thought when we heard it in the car – this is Crissy.  

This song is a classic, and sure, it could have just been the fact that I hadn’t heard any music for a few hours and I was more attentive to it, but check the lyrics:

• To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven;
• A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, a time to reap that which is planted;
• A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
• A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
• A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
• A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
• A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
• A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

After doing a little reading on the Book of Ecclesiatees (cough:wikipedia:cough), it can be summed up nicely that this book focuses on a reflection of life, the meaning of life, and living life the best way that we can.

Sign from God? Not sure. But, I like to believe this was Crissy’s work, making sure this song came on at that exact moment we stepped into the car after the burial to help ease the pain. “Welcome To The Jungle” by Guns ‘N Roses could have been playing instead.. but it wasn’t. Ya know?

Never underestimate the power of music.