When I was younger, every Friday evening when I heard my dad's car come up the driveway after his commute home from work, I would walk over to the cassette player (child of the 80s!) and put on our "Friday tape." It was a tape of Glenn Miller Orchestra, and the second it started playing, it officially felt like Friday.

Last year around this time, I got a few swing records from a second hand vinyl seller at a market. They have become the new Friday music in our household, and putting them on feels like a celebratory affair. 

When was the last time you listened to music? I don't mean the music that you turned on before going on about your day. I mean listening to music instead of just hearing it. 

There are all kinds of health benefits to listening to music, not to mention that being intentional about actively listening to it can be the perfect excuse to slow down and be in the moment.

This time of year, there are plenty of holiday concerts to attend for the chance to listen to live music, but even at home we can create a better connection to music. 

Today, choose an album that you want to listen to (no, it does not need to be Christmas music if you don't want it to), and put aside a little time to celebrate your Friday evening. Just sit and listen. Light a candle, look at your twinkling lights that you've put up around the house.

Soak in that musical magic. 
 

-Anna