-Isms: Views on life in rural America

The alarm screams, “Get out of bed. It’s 5 a.m.”

Must be Tuesday.

After gathering what I need for the day, making a quick stop at Hi-Way Mart for sustenance and a shot of caffeine, my office routine on deadline day is, um, routine.

After booting the iMac, I open a play list that helps me focus: a little Black-Eyed Peas, a mix of the Bardon Bellas from “Pitch Perfect,” a couple Eric Church tunes, maybe a slow song by Patsy Cline.

That 6 a.m. singalong is what I need to start the day. In stressful moments, or when my focus needs to be laser sharp, I turn to music. Maybe it’s because I started piano lessons at age four, followed by a few years of guitar lessons and playing French horn once I hit fifth grade. Maybe it’s all the years of elementary and high school chorus and church choir and nights of kitchen karaoke. Music, theater, dance, doodling, writing - artful niches - it’s how I’m wired.

No matter what form you rely on, art is part of who we are and plays an integral role in how we relate with others and how we learn. According to studies outlined by NeuroArts Blueprint, “The arts in all of their modalities can improve our physical and mental health, amplify our ability to prevent, manage or recover from disease challenges, enhance brain development, build more equitable communities and foster well-being through multiple biological systems.”

Let’s face it, don’t you feel better when you listen to music or watch a play or read poetry or draw freehand?

The effect art has on a youngster’s brain is intriguing. The authors of “Your Brain on Art” draw a correlation between art and academics and how the interconnection results in improved brain power. Art allows freedom to explore concepts like space and time, design and color. It’s opens worlds of possibilities that may not be available to those who do not study art.

That’s one reason why fine arts education is vital, why it works hand-in-hand with classroom education and needs to be supported and promoted. Dabbling in the arts boosts creativity, confidence and perseverance. Arts education can reduce stress, aid interpersonal skills, improve focus and increase academic achievement. We need to encourage all students to see the infinite possibilities that is offered by being an active participant in the arts.

I’m thankful my parents encouraged participation in fine arts. I believe it led to my academic success and upped my confidence.

Poet Dana Giola wrote, “The purpose of arts education is not to produce more artists, though that is a byproduct. The real purpose of arts education is to create complete human beings capable of leading successful and productive lives in a free society.”

Isn’t that an outcome we all should want?

It’s nearing midnight and I’m winding down. Music murmurs softly in the background ... a little Tim McGraw, some Lady A, a bit of Fergie, Eminem and Adele.

My mind’s focused on bigger concepts, problems plaguing this world in which we live, wondering if we’ll ever find harmony again or if chords of dissonance are all we’ll be able to hear.

If music can soothe the soul, surely art, in all forms, can lessen the weight of the world.