Lessons from “The Sound of Music”

Lessons from “The Sound of Music”

Music helped take away the pain and restore happy hearts to everyone. Music builds bridges, melts walls and connects people who once felt separate. I am so grateful that my life is alive with the sound of music. Is yours?

by Scott Grace — 

My daughter and I just watched “The Sound of Music.” It was the first time in decades for me, but this time I viewed it through my daughter’s eyes — through the eyes of a child — and, lo and behold, I was captivated, swept away. So was my daughter. What a reminder that a good story makes a movie, not fancy special effects, technology or a colossal budget.

At first I was uncomfortable. I noticed some judging going on in my mind chatter.

Inner Critic: This is so schmaltzy and corny. The dialogue is ridiculous. How can you suspend disbelief? How can you like this crap?

Scott: Easily. No problem. Now Critic, relax, surrender and quiet down. Or take a nap. I will be enjoying the movie.

And so I did. I really related to Maria. She tried to fit in, but simply could not. Been there, done that! If you are following your heart, you might not be able to fit in either. You might be perceived as a “problem” by others with more rigid beliefs.

Remember the song, “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?” The sisters perceived her as a problem in the convent because she was unconventional. She could not be confined by dogma and tradition. She was obedient only to the voice of love within her, and that voice was more interested in freedom than rules, singing than silence, honesty than politeness, and with playfulness rather than a stern approach to spirituality and discipline.

Maria was a failure as a nun and a splendid success as a lover of life, joy and children. How do you solve a problem like Maria? You cease seeing her, or yourself, as a problem to be solved. We are not here to fit in. We are here to shine gloriously.

Guess what my favorite song is from the movie — “Climb Every Mountain?” Nope, that is my third favorite. “Edelweiss” is my second. First place goes to “My Favorite Things.” Everything you need to know about the law of attraction and being happy is contained in that song.

Focus on what puts a smile on your face. Praise the raindrops on roses rather than dwell on what seems to be not working in life. The more I focus on what is working, the more what seems to be not working takes care of itself, through divine alchemy and grace. Got thunderstorms? Got fear? Break out the gratitude and begin counting up your favorite things. Fear dissolves; problem solved.

And then there is all the wisdom in the movie about children. The Von Trapp kids were nightmares to every governess who they met until Maria came along. She was more interested in connecting than correcting, supporting instead of controlling them, and they pretty quickly stopped playing nasty jokes on her designed to push her away, and let her in.

Children act out when their needs are not met. Bad behavior is just a call for love. They thrive when they get the kind of attention and encouragement they need. I loved seeing Maria give those children permission to be their natural, playful, joyful selves. And boy, did they blossom.

And how can I sing the praises of “The Sound of Music” without mentioning its teachings about music. Music is joy itself. It uplifts and heals, harmonizes and joins people together like nothing else can. If you recall, Captain Von Trapp had silenced the music in his house after he lost his wife. Maria brought it back, getting the children to sing, even getting the Captain to strum and sing.

Music helped take away the pain and restore happy hearts to everyone. Music builds bridges, melts walls and connects people who once felt separate. I am so grateful that my life is alive with the sound of music. Is yours?

Scott Grace is a traveling troubadour, speaker and an intuitive life coach who gives sessions via phone or Skype. Read more about his coaching practice or schedule a free introduction session through email at info@scottsongs.com. scottsongs.com or 415-721-2954.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 34, Number 4, August/September 2015.