Holding On to "Beautiful Things": Using Music Therapy to Cultivate Coping Skills

kaela929
May 20
3 min read

Updated: Jun 7

In our fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the worries of tomorrow or the regrets of yesterday. But what if we could ground ourselves in the present, appreciating the "beautiful things" we already have, and then use that appreciation as a foundation for mental well-being?

At Music Therapy St. Louis, we often use contemporary music to help clients connect with their emotions and develop practical coping skills. Our music therapist, Rosalie, created this intervention when she was inspired by Benson Boone's powerful hit, "Beautiful Things," which offers a profound entry point into this very process.

The Power of "Beautiful Things" in Music Therapy

Benson Boone's "Beautiful Things" resonates deeply because it captures a universal human experience: the immense gratitude for the good things in life paired with the underlying fear of losing them. He sings:

"And I thank God everyday

For the girl he sent my way

But I know the things He gives me He can take away

And I hold you every night

And that's a feeling I wanna get used to

But there's no man as terrified

As the man who stands to lose you."

This raw vulnerability, the appreciation for peace and love, juxtaposed with the anxiety of potential loss, provides a rich landscape for therapeutic exploration.

How We Use This Song in Music Therapy Sessions:

Music Therapist, Rosalie, explains her intervention - "Beautiful Things"

Active Listening & Emotional Identification:
- We begin by listening to the song, allowing clients to simply absorb the music and lyrics.
- Discussion then centers on identifying emotions evoked by the song. Does it bring up feelings of gratitude? Anxiety? Love? Fear?
  - This helps clients label and acknowledge their own emotional responses.
Lyric Analysis & Personal Connection:
- Clients are invited to share which lines or phrases particularly stand out to them.
- We then explore: What "beautiful things" do you have in your life right now? This could be relationships, personal strengths, hobbies, comforting routines, a pet, a peaceful moment, or even just your favorite food! We encourage a broad definition of "beautiful things."
Identifying Your "Beautiful Things":
- This is where the magic truly begins. After connecting with Boone's message, clients are guided to draw or paint their own unique "beautiful things."
- The therapist helps facilitate this process, ensuring that the identified "things" are tangible and personally meaningful.

Turning "Beautiful Things" into Coping Skills:

Once identified, these "beautiful things" become powerful resources for coping and grounding:

Mindfulness & Present Moment Awareness: When anxiety or negative thoughts creep in, clients can practice intentionally recalling one of their "beautiful things." Focusing on the details of that person, place, or feeling helps to anchor them in the present and shift focus away from overwhelming thoughts.
Gratitude Practice: Regularly acknowledging these "beautiful things" cultivates a sense of gratitude, which has been shown to improve mood, reduce stress, and build resilience. This can be as simple as a daily mental check-in or a gratitude journal.
Sensory Grounding: Many "beautiful things" involve sensory experiences (e.g., the sound of a loved one's voice, the smell of fresh coffee, the feel of a soft blanket). Clients can use these sensory details to self-soothe when feeling overwhelmed.
Resource Building: Recognizing a personal inventory of positive resources ("I have peace," "I have love") builds self-efficacy and a sense of internal strength, reassuring clients that they have resources to draw upon even during difficult times.
Actionable Steps: Sometimes, identifying a "beautiful thing" can lead to an actionable coping strategy. For example, if a "beautiful thing" is spending time in nature, that can become a go-to coping mechanism for stress relief.

Intervention Resources

Benson Boone's "Beautiful Things" offers more than just a catchy melody; it provides a profound framework for appreciating life's gifts and developing robust coping skills. By acknowledging both gratitude and vulnerability, we empower our clients to build a stronger foundation for their mental well-being.