Finding Peace Through Music, Faith, & Community

Loss and grief of all kinds are amongst the most challenging experiences we can face in life. The pain experienced can be overwhelming, leaving us sometimes feeling lost and alone, perhaps even thinking that finding solace and peace will be difficult to attain, perhaps even impossible.

Yet, with God, all things are possible, and music can serve as a blessed reminder that helps lift up and heal broken and grieving hearts when tough times hit, in cooperation with His grace.

Flowers, prayers, and exchanges of care between family members, as well as those helping with arrangements to honor our departed loved ones, are also important parts of the journey back to to peace and hope during these times.

Music can aid us in our quest for meaning during tough times. A good song has a unique ability to express emotions that are often too difficult to put into words, especially during difficult times, doing wonders for the heart and soul in ways few other things can. If you are currently walking through a time of loss, here are some ideas as to how music, faith and community can be a powerful combination to help get us on the road back to hope and healing, noting most if not all of hese ideas are wonderfully transferrable across different kinds of challenging experiences, whethet it is the loss of a loved one, a different loss, or something else: 1. Create playlists of songs that are faith-filled, comforting and inspiring: Choosing and listening to the right songs can help lift up our hearts and emotions beyond the moment. This can include positive hits, however consider making sure your playlist includes uplifting Christian and Sacred music selections for a more blessed and enriching experience. We can help you create a beautiful playlist that helps remind you of God's tender care for you and yours, while adding a touch of hope to your journey. 2. Attend a live performance featuring uplifting music: Experiencing uplifting music and lyrics live takes soothing and healing to another level. Consider attending a concert or performance that features inspiring music that builds up the senses including artists that bring fond happy memories that are good for your spirit. 3. Practice Self Care: Make time and room to take care of you. Get sleep/rest. Drink water. Go for a walk / stay active. Watch a sunset. And don't forget to pray... and breathe! Enlist good friends to help. This is very important.

4. Seek out community: Surround yourself with people who can understand and empathize with your grief, including brothers and sisters seeking to grow in faith and the hope it brings. Join a prayer /church community, sign up for a support group or related event, if necessary seek therapy. All these can provide a safe space to express your emotions and find comfort. Receiving support via participation in a prayerful church community can be doubly powerful.

5. Pray and seek prayer. The still of a quiet place can provide an even more soothing setting, yet feel in the freedom to pray anywhere and anytime from your heart. Pray the Rosary Divine Mercy Chaplet and other special prayers, in groups when possible. Feel encouraged to reach out to friends or church community for prayers too. Knowing someone else is praying for our needs, especially when that occurs in an in-person exchange where we can see and hear someone else agreeing in prayer for our needs is powerful. We will devote future posts specifically to this topic.

4. Music AND Art: allies along the road to healing: Allow yourself to fully immerse in beautiful music or art and let it wash over you. Whether you're singing along, playing an instrument, or simply listening, let music be a source of healing and peace. Art can have a similar effect as well. There is science behind this that we will explore in future posts but for now, be encouraged to enter in and be blessed. This includes signing up for classes to learn a new instrument, joining the choir, painting, writing a poem and reading it to your family at dinner, or at the coffeehouse open mic. Get creative with crafts. The possibilities are endless. 5. Church, Saints and the Sacraments - Attending/ receiving as frequently as possible can be a huge help. Mass, the Eucharist, Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, Spiritual Direction. These are just some of the wonderful treasures packed with graces. Turn to Mary and your favorite Saint(s) for intercession and inspiration. Join a Bible study. Attend a retreat or conferene.Go on a pilgrimage! Avail yourself of the treasures faith offers. If from a different Christian denomination, simply attend your services, get involved with your church groups and ministries, keep connected!

6. Remember, you are not alone in your grief. Remember!

We hope this very non exhaustive list blesses you or someone you know. Having personally encountered great loss as well as seen first hand the profound and powerful impact good music can have on the journey from loss to healing, we are here to help.

Through carefully curated selection of beautiful spiritual hymns and inspirational songs, we hope to help create spaces where solace and healing can be experienced through the love of Christ, as well as provide a comforting presence beyond the music that gentle reminds each person and family we serves musically that they are not alone, that there is still beauty and hope to be found, even in and through difficult times. Our caring approach delivered with tender care as we walk alongside those we serve has been known to help console hearts.

Marta is also available to help facilitate reflections and conversations wrapped in prayer for those families wishing to do something special at the funeral home as collaborative part of the services or after official services conclude, creating and facilitating serene uplifting spaces where hope is exchanged among those present in solidarity and mutual support.

FAMILIES: BEFORE music or speaking services are confirmed, it is vitally important that your church and/or funeral home (including music directors on staff) are consulted to ensure that Marta's participation meets their approval as a positive complement/enhancement to their efforts in a truly synergistic, collaborative way. Once we receive their approval and best contact person, Marta would be in touch with them to ensure all is done as a team, fully honoring their guidelines and standards, noting that if those standards do not allow room for Marta to be added to the mix, it is important to respect and honor their guidelines and guidance.

FUNERAL HOMES/ PARISHES: Would love to be included in your music sub or resources lists. Email martavargasmusic@gmail.com to connect and explore.

We look forward to being part of the inner healing journey through music in union with the power of faith, hope and love. Click here to contact us today or email martavargasmusic@gmail.com