Life in the key of you

We’re awarded one earthly life, with no length of stay guarantee. So why waste time and suffer by trying to alter what may be set in stone? Going with a musical angle, is your life in the key of you?

Music has helped me weather a lot of storms over the decades.

Do you find it comforting?

Given what a force it is in my life, it makes sense that an article with a musical connection would naturally flow forth on occasion. It really wasn’t intentional.

Prelude

You may already know that the key of a composition is a set of rules, if you will, for its playing. “Okay, this in G Major.”

Knowing the key of a piece, the musician or group have a heads-up as to where the note and chord action need to be, as well as how the composition is meant to sound.

So without a key, the intended expression of the composition is in danger, which would ruin the experience for the listener and player.

And isn’t that the way it is for those of us living with en emotional or mental illness?

If our life key is unknown or ignored, our emotional and mental well-being are in danger. And that holds the potential to ruin a lot of experiences.

Life in the key of Marti and Marty

Let’s get where we need to go with the assistance of my friends Marti and Marty…

Marti

Marti has epilepsy. Its origin? Well, she and her doc aren’t really sure. However, since she has no history of head trauma, brain disease, etc., her illness was likely generated by genetics.

It took s lot of hard work for Marti to understand that the overlay of epilepsy and its fallout on her life aren’t going anywhere. So she has to live in the key of, well, Marti.

To do that she has to use medicine, manage her lifestyle habits, and consider every available option to keep her seizures at bay.

Wasting her time on the elusive “fix,” while losing focus on her management tasks, will destroy her notes and chords.

Marty

Mind closed to any available option

Marty has major depressive disorder. Its origin? Well, he and his doc aren’t really sure. However, since he has no family history, trauma, etc., his illness was likely generated by genetics.

Since he never worked at it, Marty doesn’t understand that the overlay of depression and its fallout on his life aren’t going anywhere. So he refuses to live in the key of, well, Marty.

And that means he doesn’t use medicine, manage his lifestyle habits, or consider any available option to keep his depression at bay.

Wasting his time on the elusive “fix,” while losing focus on his management tasks, will destroy his notes and chords.

Does the comparison bring home the point regarding living within our life key? More importantly, are you more like Marti or Marty?

The overlay factor

Let’s spend some time on the overlay factor just mentioned. Always keep in mind that many of us have multiple overlays. And they may have nothing to do with emotional or mental health.

For instance, I said Marty’s overlay is major depressive disorder and its fallout. But, say, an anxiety disorder would add another overlay. Massive debt and insufficient income would as well.

So he needs to take all of them into account when establishing his life key. But that assumes he’ll actually give it a go.

It’s the very same for us, isn’t it. And if we don’t take into account the notes and chords within our chosen life key, or maintain a grip on how we’re intended to sound, we’re going to have major problems.

The finale

“Geez, Bill, where do you get this stuff, anyway?” Well, I’m a lifelong mood, anxiety, and substance use disorder survivor. Yep, it’s been a ride.

Thing is, I gained insight into my multiple overlays, some leaning toward the pervasive, quite some time ago  And I came to the conclusion that most of them won’t be going anywhere.

Are you living in misery?

The moment that hit me, my burden lightened, because I knew I no longer had to waste time and suffer while I searched for the elusive “fix.” My only tasks were positive: self-insight, education, management, and growth.

There was no doubt about what key my life needed to be in. And I knew if I didn’t adhere to the corresponding notes and chords, I’d live in misery.

One earthly life, no length of stay guarantee, overlays – are you living life in the key of you?

Please peruse the Chipur info and inspiration titles. Pretty sure you’ll be glad you did.

After a decades-long battle with panic, generalized anxiety, fluctuating moods, and alcohol dependence; Bill finally found his life’s passion and work – lending a hand to those in the same boat. At age 49 he hit grad school and earned his counseling credentials. And he continues his service through Chipur and other projects.