True Harmony

Much of the uncertainty on the planet is now bringing people more directly to the understanding we have to unite as a species.  To me, a true unification can only happen when we first respect and honour our differences and diversity.  I've been saying for many years now that I see a kind of "fake unity" being banded about, particularly on social media.  Its the culture of 'liking' and I'll like your thing if you like my thing.  This is a weak form of unity.  It's not built on anything truthful because there is a motive and agenda to it.

I was singing online the other night, just to some karaoke tracks for fun and something a little different to what I usually do.  Someone commented that they enjoyed my voice but that maybe I should "try another genre".  I wasn't sure what they meant by this because as far as I was concerned I was singing a variety of material from indie to 60s stuff like The Beatles and Donovan to 80s pop stuff.  They further explained that they really liked my voice but that the song choices were not for them.  I actually appreciated this kind of feedback.  I never found out what genre they were looking for but what I appreciated was it clearly showed we were not meant for each other.  There was no insult or disrespect, but I as an artist was not the right match for this person as a listener.  I wasn't going to change my "style" because I just sing what I enjoy, what feels natural and right to me in any given moment.  If I don't enjoy it then what is the point?

What I am looking for are people who appreciate me for what I am.  My true audience would enjoy the songs I write, my voice, the way I present the songs.  People are always trying to change you and so they miss what is there already in front of them.   If its not for you, move on.  You can compliment what you do like about someone but if overall they are not doing it for you, move on and find people who are a good fit for you.

This brings me back to society in general.  I don't think you can force people to like each other.  You can't create harmony like that because it will be built on a lie.  If you change yourself to suit others then you are not being authentic (which is not the same as changing through the realisation you have been false with yourself) .  To me true harmony will only come once people start being honest with their likes and dislikes and then allowing that to filter out who is not right for them and bring in who is.  Of course, likes and dislikes can overlap but we tend to have a core of things we enjoy and things we don't.  You may love folk music but really dislike heavy metal.  Honour that love of folk music and let it bring the right people to you but don't try to change the heavy metal people.  Let them also find each other.  If everybody did this people would be happier being with similar beings, doing the things they really enjoy and so more tolerant of others who are different.  We have to first find our rightful "tribes" (those we wish to spend most time with) before there can be any global kind of peace because only when people are happy and content within their small group will they be more tolerant of others.

In this case of the guy who liked my voice but not my song choices... Well, that's just something to be accepted and move on.  Perhaps he'll eventually find someone who ticks both boxes.