I have a little music making motivation problems so I would like to hear what good making music has brought you directly or indirectly and what good it could bring. Also to make this thread a little longer you could also tell what good music making could bring in an alternate reality. But I would mostly like to hear about music's magic in this reality.

Music allowed me to meet my wife through a common DJ friend who featured my music on his page... So I guess the answer is: the best thing that's ever happened to me happened because of music.
 
It's also been a source of torture when I had to work depressing jobs that took all my time and left me with broken hands and back so that even in my time off I couldn't really get back to music.
 
As I've said before, music is the only thing I never questioned in my life. The equation is the simplest: I breathe = I make music. You take music away, I'm lost.
 
As Nietzsche puts it: Without music, life would be a mistake.

I'm not sure what "good" it has brought me, mainly it is a sense of joy. Like Rain, it's something that has always been a part of me that I have never really questioned. It's almost more like the need to eat or breathe. Playing guitar in particular has always brought a feeling of joy. Going with out playing guitar brings on a sense that I'm missing something.

There is one period during the year that I have to work In Las Vegas for 4 weeks. A couple of years ago, I finally started to travel with a guitar during that stretch. It was just to depressing not having one around for 4 weeks straight.

@Krist: Music has been very important for you it seems. Very nice.
@Michael: It seems music has a deep meaning in your life too. Good. Thanks for the great comments guys.

As a second thought, and by proxy, somehow, since my wife earns our daily bread singing...
 
Music paid for all I own except my old strat. My entire studio, guitars, Macs and all...
Music is the reason we lived in NY, traveled to Spain and Russia.
Music is the reason we moved to Vegas (which since became Home to me).
Music gave us the green card...
 
Shall I go on?

I'm not sure where I would be, or what I would have become without music. It hasn't made me rich but I'm ok with that. I have a great life, a great family and I've seen more of the world than most people get the opportunity to see.

• The enjoyment of listening to music has always been there... it started at a young age, and continues to this day. It is always on wherever I go... and that is something shared by our children, and now our grandchildren.
• Learning music as a young teenager gave me confidence and helped me to form an identity.
• I met my wife through music... after 30+ years, that is still the best thing that has ever happened to me.
• Creating music (live, studio, home studio, jam, etc...) gives me an ongoing sense of accomplishment.
• Without music I would not have had the chance to travel like I have. In the early years (early 80's to early 90's) I traveled Canada coast to coast several times, and since the mid 90's I've had the opportunity to travel Western Europe more than a dozen times, visit Australia one time not to mention I've seen pretty much every State in the US (not Alaska.... some day)

@RAIN.... In another thread you mention Hockey quite a bit... but I see your profile says you live in Vegas. Above you mention a "green card". Are you a transplanted Canadian by chance?

@Krist: Thanks again. You certainly have done a lot to get me back to music making!
@Sean: Thanks for your story. Music has been a big factor in your life too. Great stuff guys. I hope I will get inspired so I can make music again.

Music has allowed me to meet some very interesting people. Some (before they were) famous, some never to be famous and some really weird dudes.
 

codamedia
I@RAIN.... In another thread you mention Hockey quite a bit... but I see your profile says you live in Vegas. Above you mention a "green card". Are you a transplanted Canadian by chance?

Yes I am. And I often say half jokingly that the finishing touch in terms of decoration for my studio will be one of these. 

 

Nice topic.  Really cool 'similar' background shared by others (above)
 
I also started playing music at a young age (3) (piano), can play anything by age 12. I also learned guitar starting at 9, music came naturally for me, my #1 love (just don't tell my wife that) 
 
Music is and will always be my life. I still enjoy writing music and playing piano, guitar and whatever. Lucky me being gifted however, having such a gift also has its pressures i.e. like working two jobs LOL! As a young adult I woke up on the beach one day, sunburned. Lucky it was earliest part of the day.  Anyway, late night show ending at 3am, home by sun up and off to the beach I go , but most times it was off to work I go {doh!} But at times I didn't have a day job, music paid the rent. Not sure nowadays -- its more competitive (over saturated music scene)!
 
I certainly had my highs in the music business, learned a lot, earned a lot -- but those periods of highs don't last forever.  Funny, its seems to go in cycles of about 5 years or so. Nowadays I'm quite happy to remain anonymous, live a peaceful quiet life with my wife and family.  I can retire now, though not completely -- I still very much enjoy making music.