Birthing a New Melody

So here we are. Somebody hit the pause button on the world, and time is standing still. Activities that once seemed ordinary are now anything but. Giving a loved one a hug is now shrouded with uncertainty. That basic need for human touch is now suspect. These are difficult times. People are dying. Many are sick. Folks are out of work and out of patience. I too am idled. I sit here looking at the embers of a fire in my hearth and my guitar leaning in the corner and wonder when it will be that I can share my music again for a live audience without feeling as though I could be putting their health at risk. I had a new album beginning to take shape in my consciousness, but the music has gone silent. As I look at my guitar across the room, I wonder if I am hearing faint whispers of that new music again. Maybe this is the time for it to be birthed into existence; this time of unrest and unease. We shall see. In the meantime, I wait. We all wait. Funny that the number for this year, 2020, is synonymous with the concept of hindsight. We seem to be collectively taking a hard look at the way things have been, and trying to come to terms with how to step into the future in a better way. It saddens me that these cultural self realizations always seem to come with intense strife and vitriol. I am a student of human history, and I can tell you that we human beings almost never seem to be able to make collective changes for the betterment of all without inflicting rage and violence against each other. For me, in the end, what is right is rooted in wisdom, knowledge, humility, fairness and decency. And what is wrong is always rooted in foolishness, ignorance, arrogance, inequality and nastiness. In short, love is right. Hate is wrong. As we navigate these uncertain waters of dis-ease through these perilous seas of change, may we all let the rains of our common humanity pour down upon us and cool the rage of our minds so our hearts can see that we are sisters and brothers. Be gracious. Be patient. Make a small sacrifice for others. Exercise kindness. Practice empathy. Listen. Call on the humility of your heart to bring forth your better angels. These uncertain times won’t last forever. Let us be birthed like new music during this time, whispering into existence a new melody of understanding that can carry us forward into a better future for all.

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