Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.
Victor Hugo
Music is inseparable from our lives. It brings us joy, soothes us, and has the power to calm us. While there is joy in listening to music, there’s something even more special about playing it yourself. Many of us learn musical instruments during our school years, but as life goes on, it’s easy to get caught up in work and let music become something we "used to do."
These days, I’ve been trying to reconnect with that part of myself by practicing the piano and flute whenever I can. I even dream of having my own repertoire to play at any time.
Last night, a friend came over, and I offered to play a piano piece for her.
To my surprise, she mentioned that she also plays the piano. Spontaneously, I picked up my flute, and before we knew it, we were having our own little mini-concert!
The song we played was "El Cóndor Pasa," a traditional Andean folk song composed by Peruvian composer Daniel Alomía Robles in 1913. Originally written as part of a zarzuela (a type of Spanish operetta), this piece is one of the most famous in Peruvian music, deeply rooted in Andean culture. The title, which translates to "The Condor Passes," refers to the majestic condor, a bird native to the Andes and a symbol of freedom. Even today, it’s a cherished piece, performed by folk musicians across the Andes and beyond, carrying with it a sense of cultural and historical pride.
I’ve come to find more joy in my daily life, especially in playing music, and I credit this to meditation.
It’s so easy to lose touch with the things we once enjoyed when we’re caught up in the hustle of adulthood. Meditation has helped me clear space in my mind to truly appreciate these simple pleasures.
Beyond music, I’ve found joy in dancing—tango, salsa, swing—and activities like hiking and exploring new places. Blogging has also kept me active, as I search for new experiences to share (content hunting, lol). But ultimately, I know it’s meditation that has given me the mental clarity and strength to enjoy these things fully.
I encourage everyone to give meditation a try. By decluttering your mind, you create space for more joy and freedom. Whether it's playing music, dancing, hiking, or any other hobby, being able to do it because you want to, not because you feel like you should, makes all the difference.
I hope you enjoyed this little performance from last night, and that it brought you a bit of happiness, too!
Thanks for sharing Robin 🎶 calming song