I’m sitting in class. My eyelids slowly drop as the teacher rambles on. As my eyes drift around around the room, scanning the clock and the board, a picture on the wall captures my attention. When I first looked at the painting, I saw an abundance of abstract shapes and colors. But as I looked more closely, one concrete object immediately stood out to me. Headphones. Giant black headphones floating around in an abstruse background. My mind started to drift away from the American War and onto music. I was not only reminded of music in general, but also myself when I listen to music. When I listen to music, I go to a quiet place (usually my room) and relax; I wish I was there now. When I put my Beats on, I immediately zone out. I can’t hear anything but my favorite music, which includes anything from Taylor Swift, Maroon 5 and Justin Timberlake, to Michael Jackson, Santana and Aerosmith.

Music is magical. It has the capabilities to let me become someone else, or transform my feelings with a push of a button. If I’m feeling down, I can listen to happy music and my mood will immediately boost. Music allows me to listen to any emotion and be able empathize with the artist. I can also become a part of the story in the music. I escape reality. I forget about the three tests I have tomorrow and a big gymnastics competition I have this weekend. I leave the troubles I had with my sister an hour ago and the confusion of the math problems I couldn’t figure out while doing my homework earlier. Overall, I forget about the stress.  Music lets me disappear from the world and I’m quite alright with that.

Music is so incredible that it can help me focus and relax, or help me become energized. I use music as an aid when doing my homework and when studying for big tests. It also makes reading a textbook a little more exciting. I can use music to help me fall asleep at night; listening to some Ed Sheeran always hits the spot. On another extreme, I use music to motivate myself, whether it's before a workout or a gymnastics competition. The music pumps through my veins, strengthening and empowering me. Music is the best of both worlds.

Listening to music isn’t the only way it’s involved in my life. I also love playing music as much as I love listening to it. When I listen to music, whether it’s new pop hits or old jazz music, I become inspired to go and practice and play new music on my trombone and piano. I am deeply inspired by music in many ways.

Music is a major aspect of my life whether I’m listening, playing, or learning. Music makes up who I am. Music is in me. Music is… The school bell blares and interrupts my train of thought. As I leave the classroom I glance back at the poster. I am the headphones filled with music floating in an abstract, crazy world.