Bridge Between the Old Year & the New
"All persons, living and dead, are purely coincidental." — Kurt Vonnegut
It has been a happy, productive, and pivotal year. I am blessed with the freedom to pursue my interests, which I have written about this past year: travel, music, and life-long learning. I look back upon this year as one where new paths were created, and this will continue in the New Year. These pathways include studying counselling psychology towards a second master's degree (my first is in cultural studies), playing guitar, bass, and working on songs.
In the next few months, I plan to continue working on bass and guitar techniques in my studio space. I have also started a collection of poetry themed around coincidence, intuition, and premonition. In the photograph above, in the moment where two cars (individuals) pass, seemingly by chance, something of significance transpires (symbolically). This is where love begins (or ends), where forks in the road turn, where new kernels of knowledge change a path's course. Is it a particular energy in the universe that creates this chance happenstance, or is it something that we (un)consciously create? Or both? It is this space I wish to explore.
In January, I'm looking forward to two concerts: the Alex Skolnick Trio (jazz concert in Seattle) and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's tribute to The Beatles. In February, I have booked a week in Puerto Vallarta. This will be an opportunity to soak up the warm climate, rest, and write (poetry). By March, I have some work travel, and I will also know the direction of my counselling psychology studies. For my writing and music to evolve, I think it's important grow in ways outside these spaces, and to engage in experiences that are not as insular as the arts. Consider 'artists' who do not do this (e.g., Jon Bon Jovi comes to mind), who end up with a body of work filled with trite lyrics (that lack substance and experience) and generic sounding songs. I have always found this curious: when artists have the ways and means to access the world, and yet end up sounding the same.
I also plan to reduce my social media use in 2018. I find there is too much negativity on the Internet. Anger, rants, and opinions are out of control. Native culture emphasizes non-interference; that is, it values and respects individual choice. Yes, we can generally agree that plastic is bad for the planet (go green!), that vegans have a point (especially when so much of our food is genetically modified), that Trudeau and Trump (or 'insert politician's name') are out-of-touch, oppressors, or 'insert other offense', and that adopting pets from shelters saves precious lives (adopt, don't shop!). The issues are endless.... We are being deluged with memesis; that is, the imitative stances adopted by some for the purpose of social change. But we are regressing. The lack of originality is exhausting, and so is the righteous stance of so many of these 'messengers'. Some folks think they have figured it all out and are compelled to let the world know. Yet, any person with access to the internet and reasonable intelligence can research issues and interests and come to their own conclusions. Each of us make decisions based on our own values. If we each respect each other, instead of preaching what we think is best, we will all be better off. Telling people what to do is not very rock 'n' roll (it's old fogyish!). Clearly, social media jabs, put downs, and hate are not helping; instead, this unsophisticated behaviour is perpetuating divisions. It is part of the problem.
Earlier this year, I saw a phenomenal performance by Buffy Sainte-Marie (still rocking at age 76, go see her live!) and she mentioned that she, too is finished with angry protests. Alternatively, looking for a better way, she has a new album that seeks to empower, uplift, and inspire, not preach and protest. With this inspiration, I'll close with a link to one of my favorite songs from the album, You Got to Run (Spirit of the Wind).
For everyone, I hope 2018 will be the most creative year so far!
