Once Upon a Time in My Oceania

  By Laura Launderville A few weeks ago, I stopped to play the piano at my small town’s municipal building. Some days I feel drawn to the safety and freedom of feeling my fingers on the keys of a piano and the melody that flows from it. I learned to play the piano when I was fifteen. For years, I longed to be able to play and contribute a talent to the church and God. I had started to learn as a child but had forgotten how to play later on due to trauma. As a teen, I asked my twin sister, Lydia, to help me learn. She had been playing since the age of seven and was more than happy to help me. She also knew how special it was for me to learn. I finally learned and was able to contribute what little I could. For me though, music became an escape. I could play and my emotions, usually complex, would flow out in a melody. Learning to play, I, of course, had to learn hymns to play in church. Original music was discouraged unless the pastor could look over the lyrics to the song. Because ...

  It's been some time since I wrote about songs that helped me leave my IFB church of fifteen years and the entire movement as a whole. During that difficult time, where such a heavy decision weighed on me, music was a friend. That music was banned only served as just one more proof that that environment was controlling. I'll never understand, even years later, why such rules have to apply (learning and understanding cults does provide some insight). The experience of leaving a religious cult is difficult to put into words, although you see me try my darndest on this blog. With this post though, I'm going to share ten songs that express, for me, what it was like to leave a cult and that journey afterwards. Dear God - Dax This artist asks the tough questions for many of us trying to figure out what to believe, especially when spirituality was used as a weapon against us. I love his honesty and I relate so much.  Cost of Doin' Business - FIFTH When I stumble upon other ...

For as long as I can remember music has always been a big part of my life. From the very beginning, I was surrounded by it and as a little girl I remember the first time I played a piano. Barely able to peek pass the keys, I fell in love with that instrument. Even picking up a guitar was fun if for only myself and not the ears of those around me. Whether it were a piano or guitar, mandolins, violins, banjos or even occasionally dulcimers—pretty much any instrument, string or otherwise, that could produce a decent tune—I was surrounded by them. Growing up IFB did restrict the genres, however, to hymns, gospel and fortunately, in my case, classical was included. Still to this day, I like that last one and it can crack a sentimental smile out of this girl. By my early teens, I started to get my hands on old rock-n-roll and Doo Wop, and often recorded Elvis and the Beach Boys onto cassette tapes from the radio, commercials and all. By eighteen, I really found myself in dangerous territo...