Oh my. All the things you mention in your comment, they are pretty much the same themes which made me Mariska fan, and why I've found your blog such a refreshing read.

About four and half years ago when I heard Mariska's Matkalla manalaan for the first time I was deeply touched. Not only are the lyrics well written, the content uses the metaphors of ancient pagan shamanism - the idea that soul can temporarily leave this level of reality and travel to other realms to seek hidden wisdom. This song is about visiting The Netherworld to find a key to mankind's problems. The lyrics reveal the wisdom found, and it is simply 'to love'. All of this in a format of easy-to-listen dance-pop song.

Around those times my chronic depression still had a firm grip on my soul, and I constantly felt separate, isolated, disconnected - unable to establish direct emotional contact with anyone. But that one song by Mariska suddenly opened a door somewhere in my soul. In one interview Mariska said that when writing lyrics for that album she was dealing with her personal emotions, most notably with fear of death. Instead of trying to avoid unpleasant thoughts or emotions, the song Matkalla manalaan uses the symbolism of diving under water; not to avoid, but to fully invite in the fear of death, to dive deeper into it to see what lies in the root of it.

Somehow Mariska's way of expressing these thoughts and emotions works especially well for me. It was her music which helped me to re-find the joy and freedom of dancing. It was that deep sense of sharing which greatly helped me to open up my soul, to feel less separate, making it easier to contact with other people.

Although, in crowds I tend to escape inside my own world. For me it is (and probably will always be) easier to share with a few close friends, or one random stranger at a time. And I'm so very happy to have such friends in my life.

I'd guess that it is exactly the same themes which made me to follow and to comment on your blog - always fearing that what I comment appears as a 'nosy mr.know-it-all always wanting to announce his own opinions'. Hehe, so the kind of fear reactions which have made it hard for me to open up and to share freely without anxiety. I'm so very happy and thankful for your patience and warmth which has helped me to dive through a yet another layer of social fears =)