I attended Alverno College for a year in hopes of becoming a Music Therapist. I learned a lot, and continue to study the dynamics of Music Therapy, Trauma Informed Care and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Interventions and how these tools improve life for so many different cognitive, degenerative, emotional and physical ailments. One particular aspect of Therapy that has helped me tremendously is song writing and poetry writing. This provides an outlet for writing my feelings honestly, and presenting them in a way that validates my experience. This song, "I'm Free", was written right before my voice suffered some set backs and shortly before I made the decision to leave music permanently. I wanted to document my feelings not just in word, but in singing. It's not the best recording, and the notes aren't all where I wanted them to be, but hey - that's how life is too - this IS real, sincere and the truth. 

Nelson Mandela said about his release from prison after being incarcerated for his protests for over 25 years that if he had stayed angry, he would have continued to live in prison outside of the bars he stood behind for most of his life. This song represents my escape from that hold. While every day is not perfect, and while all things do not go the way I plan, what is for sure is I am awake and aware of all the reasons behind why I am who I am. That is true freedom. Because with knowledge comes power. And with power comes self esteem. And with self esteem, you can do anything. Even be happy. 

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A major thank you to Peter Mac for playing guitar on this song, and recording this for me - and for encouraging me to play piano:) 

 

Feel free to download this song for free and share. This song is for survivors. 

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-Rhonda Ronsman