Random Thoughts - Performing / We Are The World: Then And Now / Popular Music

Today I'm not sure what to write about, but I feel the need to write. I have been playing guitar a lot lately and with each day, each little thing is becoming a little easier. We've played the fraternity house a few times and playing in front of people feels extremely correct to me. I doubt the audience feels the same way, but when I play in front of people I get a high that no other person or substance could ever provide me with. It's a natural high that is extremely healthy. This is a short post, but my motivation for playing and creating music comes from this hope to experience this high more and more in the future.

The new "We Are The World 25" came out and debuted on NBC during the Olympics. I feel confident saying that popular music today is nowhere near where it was during the original "We Are The World". Thew new one, which was made for Haiti (a great cause), is full of child stars and auto tune. The original features classic legends like Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen (though I'm not a huge fan), Ray Charles, Lionel Richie, and Stevie Wonder (who I will have the pleasure to see at Bonnaroo this summer). Though I am not a fan of the new one, it is still a great song and there are some shining moments. The main one that comes to mind is Cilene Dion's part which is very strong. This is not to say that there is not good music being made today, because there definitely is, but just that the majority mainstream America listens to extremely shitty music.u Oh well, so much for my blog being G rated. The first expletive now makes it PG. But the expletive is well deserved, because "crappy:" would be a huge understatement for songs like Ke$ha's "Tic Toc". If you don't know what song I'm talking about, more power to you. Don't waste your time looking it up.

L8r Sk8r

Life Lessons (Kindness, Understanding, Respect)

I find myself a steadily happy person. Not excessively happy, for excessive implies that there is too much, and I don't think happiness is something one can have too much of. Sure, we all have bad days, but my bad days have progressively gotten fewer and fewer, and when they do occur, I find that they are not that bad. There are many things that can make an individual feel "happy" and "happy" may mean different things to different people. I try to be as observant as I can to my actions that I am making, and my mood and well being as a result. Things like healthy eating, appropriate amounts of sleep, and good relationships with friends, family and significant others all are very relevant, but I am willing to rest my happiness on one thing alone. I will also argue that all the things listed above (healthy eating, etc.) are much easier when one practices this advice to the best of their ability. So what is this magical step?

Kindness, understanding, and respect. As an individual, I have gone through many phases in life in an attempt to find out who I truly am. I can, with full confidence, say that I do know who I am, and that I am extremely satisfied and confident with this person. Over confidence can kill an individual, but confidence is necessary in life. How did we end up on the subject of confidence? Well, my confidence comes from the fact that I wake up every day with the attitude that I am going to be kind and respectful to every single individual that I come across during my day. I am far from perfect at this, but I can see major improvements from day, to week, to month. The more understanding and respectful I am to others, the more and more confident I become in myself, and the happier I end up being. When you give to others, others are going to be much more willing to reciprocate this kindness. With this, smiling becomes easier, music sounds better, sleeping is easier, you end up with more friends. See where I was going earlier? With kindness, understanding, and respect as the core of one's being, all else in life becomes happier, easier, and the world ultimately becomes a better place because of it. Give this kindness to people, even if they don't deserve it. It is very likely that leading by example will bring joy to others and they will be much more likely to pass this joy on to someone else. This kindness will naturally provide the confidence you need for you to decide who you truly are. The reason behind this is because lack of confidence comes from insecurity about what others think. When you're nice to everyone, are giving, and spread love, no one will be able to justify judging you in a negative light. And if they do happen to judge you negatively, they most likely would not be compatible companions.

So go out and be nice, dog. If you get shut down, turn the other cheek and try again. It not only will make you a better person, but will spread joy around the world.

Also, smile.

Music As A Happy Pill

While reading my "Wellness" book, it was mentioned that music helps a person's well being, and that it actually helps make a person more relaxed, calm, and at peace when listened to on a regular basis. It was actually put in the same category as meditations and prayer. As someone who listens to too much music, I could not agree more with this point of view. I feel like music is one of the key factors in one knowing themselves inside and out. Music can make you happy, sad, nostalgic, reminiscent, at peace, or angry. All emotions can be captured in the gift of song and we are blessed to be able to have unlimited access to these things with today's technology. So today, go out and get some sort of feeling from some sort of song, it will help your well being, and you may end up finding yourself walking with a little more swagger at the end of the day because of it.