Fires and floods, wars and famines, political uncertainty all across the globe: it is a time of change. Within those shifting circumstances, it can be helpful to remember the power of connection, and the power of music to help make and renew connection. Connection can renew hope, too. Here are music ideas to explore with those thoughts in mind.

Unsettling times, times of uncertainty, times of change -- these can bring about fear, and fear's twin, anger. Such times may bring about despair, frustration, discouragement. It is also possible, though, to live in such times with hope, and with courage. The music I offer you in this series of posts is meant to help with that. Careful how you go, indeed. Take heart and take courage, and keep music as your good companion.

In the midst of change, news that's challenging, unsettling, or inscrutable, it is often good to take a step back, to pause and let such things settle in the mind or in the heart while thinking over what's next. Music can be a useful and interesting way to take such a pause. Here are four ideas of music to invite or go along with such times of reflection.

Courage: it is an aspect of character with many facets.  It can be courageous to speak out; it can be courageous to stay silent. It can show courage to move forward. At other times and circumstances, and for the same person, it can take more courage to stay in one place. It can take courage to reflect; it can be equally courageous to act quickly. Courage, along with its companion integriy, may also be touchstones which help guide choices such as those. 

Resilience is a many-faceted quality. More than bouncing back, more than making it through, more than stepping up to face a difficult situation, yet resilience may include aspects of all those things. It is a quality needed in day to day life. Events on the world stage and how they may impact that day to day life also call for resilience. It's a quality affected by one's resources, background, and perception. One way to increase those resources is to hear stories of how others confront such disquieting and challenging circumstances. 

Music is a fine companion for good times and hard times. Friends are good and necessary companions for these sorts of times, too.

Listen as musicians explore varied aspects of friendship through tough times and happy moments and through lasting years.

Music makes a good companion in times of change. Songs and tunes and symphonies, lullabyes and string quartets, music of the griot and the sean nos singer, the classical violinist and the street corner busker all have ways of connecting us to one another, of giving space for reflection, of lifting spirits, offering hope, adding perspective and building courage. 

Scotland in winter is known for short days and cold weather. That's all the more reason to come inside and be warmed by the sharing of music. Through eighteen days in mid January to early February, that's what going on in Glasgow, at Celtic Connections.

As autumn turns to winter, it becomes a time for reflection, for connection, for celebration. Music makes a good companion for the questions, connections and celebrations this season invites.

Aoife Scott's debut album, Carry the Day, shows a songwriter and singer with a voice of distinctive character, an ear for good story, and the ability to bring these together in ways that draw the listener in, and invite repeated listenings.