While I was at the Bogalusa Blues and Heritage Festival last weekend, it occurred to me that music is a powerful force. It has the disparate power to both calm and energize humans, and other animals. Even plants have been observed to grow best in the presence of beautiful melodies.

And don’t we all have particular songs that express or define the stages of our lives? For me they are “Hit the Road, Jack” by Ray Charles, “Puff the Magic Dragon” by Peter, Paul and Mary, and any music of the 1960s, when I came of age. A lot of bands were putting out really great music at that time. I love The Beatles, and I thank my Mom for taking me to see them live in Detroit in the early 1960s. They sang of love and peace at a time when we thought if we acted as one, we could change the course of human evolution. We haven’t accomplished that yet, but we won’t give up!

Now the music of the 60s tugs at my heart, because I am not young and coming of age any longer. I have to resign myself to being an elder, but I won’t stop dancing!

Now I seem to enjoy the rousing measures of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus above all, or Leonard Cohen’s beautiful song of the same name … Hallelujah. I love the music of Bob Marley and anything that makes my heart expand and soar, and I love anything that calms me.

It’s so strange when you turn a corner in your life and suddenly your parents are both failing and you and your sweet husband start having medical issues as well. But this is the time for teaching, and I want to teach people how to achieve happiness. Ommm… I believe everybody can choose to be happy. Haven’t you heard of a person who has nothing, but spends his or her time in bliss?

You can do that! It might take a bit of practice to master, but you can do it. When you start to feel nervous or unhappy just redirect your thoughts. Think of what you love-the people, the animals, the aromas, the sensations, the sounds and even the music.

Or you can play your special music, for the joy, serenity, or energy it gives you. And dance to the music. Your body wants to stay in motion. Keep on feeding the soundtrack of your life with beautiful sounds and music!

Marcelle Hanemann is a reporter for The Daily News. You can email her at marcelle.hanemann@bogalusadailynews.com or call her at 985-732-2565, ext. 301.