You know that feeling that somebody really, really understands you?
Or maybe they don’t, but they’re happy to pretend that they do?
Or more likely they don’t understand YOU so much as they understand what you feel.
That’s it. That’s always it.

We go through life looking for understanding. Sometimes we find it; sometimes we overlook it; sometimes it just escapes us. But mostly, we keep trying.

“Breathe, breathe in the air,
Don’t be afraid to care.
Leave, but don’t leave me,
Look around and choose your own ground.

Long you live and high you fly
And smiles you’ll give and tears you’ll cry
And all you touch and all you see
Is all your life will ever be.”

~ Excerpt, The Dark Side of the Moon, by Pink Floyd

I’ve always paused a bit at that last line, simply because it sounds so bleak. Of course when I was in college, I (almost) glossed over the bleakness because we all pretty much believed that WE were the ones who’d defy the odds. Frankly, I believe that’s a good bit of what college is for — believing — and then making it real.

And you know, even at a ripe old age, I still don’t read that line as bleak. In fact, I see it as a positive — a call to action of sorts — but mostly a reminder that what you need in life is there waiting for you — always more accessible than you think.

And music takes us a long way down that path, generation after generation, style after style, from Jazz to Rock, Punk, Country, Indie, R&B, Classical, Hip Hop, Classic Rock, Rap, Soul and a gazillion more in-between. Music loves us and we sure love music.

So many genres, so many musicians, so many avid listeners. I can’t imagine what the world would be without it.

NOTE: Pink Floyd is an English rock band formed in London in 1965. Gaining an early following as one of the first British psychedelic groups, they were distinguished by their extended compositions, sonic experimentation, philosophical lyrics, and elaborate live shows. They became a leading band of the progressive rock genre, cited by some as the greatest progressive rock band of all time. This photo is noted as part of the only photo shoot of all five members. They came in with killer music and we all fell in love. I miss them.

Each year it’s estimated that around 7 million adults in the US experience bipolar disorder, equating to about 2.8% of the adult population. Approximately 4.4% of all Americans will experience the disorder at some point in their lives. Too often, genius is a double-edged sword.