As it has been said before and will continue to echo in the uncertain future­­— every individual is ‘different and the same’ and the irony is further applicable in the matters of perspective. The capacity of observation varies, and so does what each individual discerns; and from that we face, we fight or we flee.

For me, one world wasn’t enough, as irony follows, it was also a bit too much to handle. I needed a breather. The stacked wooden structure in my brother’s room was a great post to lean on. I had an epiphany and the ‘wooden structure’ became my ‘dealer’. It had me hurling down a rabbit hole and into an addiction, sweetest of its kind. I had found my escape, my drug and a whole new life.

The two vital elements mentioned in the title are really something that helps us to get through the ‘Hard Times’ (as a Dickens fanatic, a little pun never hurt no one). It takes us behind the harsh reality and gives us a time, a whole new universe of our own. It is a great remedy for the lonely-hearted. Books, as I hinted, elevates our imagination to its peak while music possesses its own chronicle.

My love for books and music has always encouraged me to look beyond of what was kept in front of us. Music helps to keep peace of mind, in fact its helps one to deal with every ‘problem’, best left to the term ‘mood’.

Books, on the other hand gives us the chance of living another life-time. A whole new dimension built solely for sweet-selfish purpose; (especially with all the different characters from different fandoms, adorning them as we like). To me, reading is magical. I like to spend my time meeting the ‘new people’, whom we like and may call family (which we indeed sometimes do).

Additional points being— books help widen our spectrum of judgement and improve one’s vocabulary (to communicate with Jane Austen perhaps), training the weights of mind.

A quote from Josh Jameson, “There comes a time when we have to choose between turning the page and closing the book.” Books are in fact greatly addictive but he of course meant more. “Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book” – Anonymous.

Now turning up the volume, thus focusing on our second element—Music.

Have you ever thought of music being more than just sound? To me it’s way more than that. Music, as I understand, are feelings in a rhythm— open and unshaped in its absolute form. Like I’ve mentioned in the beginning, music allow individuals to ‘observe’ and relate as they are able. ‘I feel it in my blood and mind’. Without music, expressing myself would’ve been tough. It helped me explore and learn and enjoy the various aspects of life, and I’m guessing that it goes for almost everybody as well.

Music is a celestial discovery, it cannot be destroyed. Life without melodies and harmony, would be dull and empty. Listening to music helps to destress and relax. It also helps to motivate us at times.

Sometimes we are washed away by tides of nostalgia, and get flashbacks of how the time was when we were first acquainted to the song. Moreover, in this day and age where we dwell in a society of solitude, we turn to husks and are unable to feel. When we hear a song that describes everything we feel, (or have felt when we had the ability to do so), provoking emotions and burning through our deepest desires, we feel human and homely.

My addictions are now justified; but for the ‘Solution’ mentioned not promised, I hate to break it to you, but there is none and it’s best that we don’t — for a better tomorrow, Amen!