Whether you consider music an overarching soundtrack to life or a set of specific playlists by occasion, music is a choice we all take upon ourselves as a reflection of who we are. It’s an act of self-expression to play the songs we play on our iPods, even if no one is listening but us.

So when we are also the creators of our own music, we’ve got an interesting role to fill. Is it that no other music in existence can express what we feel inside? Perhaps for some, it is. Or is it that we simply enjoy the process of writing songs as a creative outlet? For many of us, that may be the case. Often, it’s a combination of roles that we see music filling, as we create tracks to accompany our karaoke sessions, our songwriting endeavors, and our passion for music.

Whatever the purpose of music in your life, it’s important to realize that it’s also a universal trait of human cultures to use music as a tool for self-expression, identity, and communication. Even listening to music in isolation somehow connects us to a wider community – whether it’s to the artist who wrote that song, or to the other people we know who listen to it, or to things in our past that remind us of the power of music as a barrier-breaker.

It’s also important to step back and realize that music is never as isolated as some may perceive it to be. It’s a collective pursuit, a passion among millions of people, all over the world.

It’s encouraging to know that we’re never on our own when it comes to music … even if we listen to it through a single set of headphones, alone in our rooms.

Happy musicking, everyone.

Megan tells us a little bit more about herself here:

I’m a 25-year-old wife, mother, student, and a supervisor at a daycare. My favorite hobbies are gaming, reading, and singing. Music has always been something I enjoyed. Though I know that I had a love of music before I began elementary school, I would have to say that music class from first through third grade and choir from fourth grade through high school really got me interested in music. I was exposed to all different types of music, and encouragement from my teachers sparked a real passion. A random fun fact about me is that I am a roller coaster fanatic, but I am absolutely terrified of ferris wheels.

This speaks to the importance of exposure, ideally from an early age. Whether it’s to musics of the world, philosophies, clothing styles, cultures, TV shows, or food, exposure to a diverse range of treats in life provides an enriching experience for all. Much of the joy of traveling, for example, is in learning something about a new place, while simultaneously learning something more about the place one comes from.

This, of course, applies to more than traveling – by hearing other styles of music, one appreciates the richness of his or her own musical upbringing. Or at least, we can listen to it with a different perspective all of a sudden. And that’s always refreshing.

Questions and comments for Megan, or general thoughts and comments are welcome here. We hope you’ll keep up the conversation with us!

See Megan’s UJAM page here – it’s loaded with great tracks.