Being a teenager, is a period full of self discovery and decisions that will eventually lead to the outcome of the individual. Multitude of questions and the rhetoric questions of “what if” constantly bombard the fickle minds of teenagers.
Like one of these wandering minds that’s populating the earth, I am not excluded from this numerous thoughts and uncertainties. Among these variable issues which I am sure has protruded the minds of the youth is to choose between music or sports, which would best be the preferred hobby, interests or even the vocation that would eventually shape our character and behavior.I believe, in my own opinion that every youth should at least have interest in both. Of course there are very few occasions where an individual excels in both areas where creative talent and physical skills are their forte. I have not come across nor see or read about a protégé that is so prominent in both.
Do you think that Michael Jackson would be a good jock or Tiger Woods would cut out a blockbuster platinum album? Never in a million years. Perhaps you might argue that there are some musicians that is good in sport and vice versa, but to treat the two interests and pursue it as a professional vocation is like water and oil. Why I say this is because both these interests although is a form of self indulgence in pursuit of enjoyment or pleasure, it also involves different form of physical and mental aptitude. The human brain as we know it has both the right and left hemisphere that provokes different type of neuron activities.
The right brain for one induces the creative challenge while the left part of the brain is subjected to more logical and systematical thinking. Most individuals have a distinct preference for one of these styles of thinking. Some, however, are more whole-brained and equally adept at both modes. In general, schools tend to favor left-brain modes of thinking, while downplaying the right-brain ones. Left-brain scholastic subjects focus on logical thinking, analysis, and accuracy. Right-brained subjects, on the other hand, focus on aesthetics, feeling, and creativity.
Normally, during these formative years, I believe, at least in my case, teenagers should try to involve themselves in both areas. This is to train the brain to have ability to reflect and deduce problems, issues, and concerns on everyday life and situations and resolve them in a manner that would not be harsh or hasty, which would sometime be detrimental.
Common example would be on an average daily student’s life. A situation that would require the mind to find a solution to questions regarding a certain subject matter. The right brain would be trained to induce creative thoughts address the problem while the left brain would be systematically try to relate to the logic of it.
This is why, I think, that music for example is good not only for the pursuit of pleasu
re in entertaining oneself or use for reducing stress, but also to sequence the mind to think in a creative mode. Music relaxes the mind and helps us alienate the stress that normally blocks out creative thinking. We revel at the geniuses that take this art form and turn it into something more than just listening pleasure, but to heal broken hearts, depressions and even world predicament. Numerous examples on this is the successful program to address world hunger like what Sir Bob Geldof (previously lead singer for Boomtown Rats) did in the 80’s (1984 to be exact) by gathering famous artists and musicians to gather and contribute in the historical Band Aid and Live Aid to address famine in Africa and in Ethopia in particular. Like the famous words of my idol Bob Marley’ “One good thing about music when it hits you, you feel no pain”.Sports on the other hand, not only make you physically fit, it also makes your mind healthy as well.
Scientific studies have shown that six months of aerobic exercise reversed age related brain decline and that helped the plasticity of the brains of older adults (the capacity to grow and develop). Other research has found that there is less evidence of grey matter deterioration in physically fitter adults compared to their less physically fit contemporaries. Many men are devoted to exercise to bulk up their bodies, but the phrase “use it or lose it” applies to more than just the muscles in our bodies -- it also applies to the neural pathways and connections in our brains. There are a variety of exercises and activities that can successfully work each of the brain’s five major cognitive functions on a daily basis. (Taken from an article from http://hubpages.com)
When you watch champion sportsmen and women who excels in their field, you can’t help but noticed in awe their physical dexterity and mobility that defy normal reactions. This somehow actually relates to the fact that they use the creative part of the brain to instruct and commands left brain to execute the physical actions.
Without a doubt, both music and sports is equally an important ingredient of life that youth of this age need to indulge in. Merely not for past times pleasures but for the preparation of taking the challenge of life for the future and become a whole person that appreciates the mind and body. A creation by God that astounds all other creations.
