I feel your essay today was a very sweet and I think accurate assertion of the power of community gatherings of all sizes and with varied intentions! People love to belong and feel seen, to be buoyed by others happiness and to support in collective grief! And to work together! The Daily Antidote of Song is one very powerful example of such a community! It powered so many people (attendees and performers) through the fears and isolation of pandemic, and continues evolving to meet the current moment! So much more could be said about all sorts of community groups, alliances, coalitions, but I will end by saying that we might all find ourselves wandering in the wilderness without them! Thank You, Stewart! PS Stewart have you read any of Garrett Bucks? He really advocates potlucks, too!
Thanks, Susan. I just checked out Garrett’s website. Certainly a kindred spirit of collective engagements. I am also happy to think that these weekly musings of mine might offer some benefit to people, aside from being (I hope) good reading. When it seems like when we are all forced to hear a few loud voices in the world (and the news), it helps to listen to each other. Thanks for reading, reflecting, and sharing.
Stew, I find myself close to tears a lot right now, but particularly when I come across ideas and actions that feel heart-true to me. Apart from more widely known levers, like protests, donations, and calls to our representatives (not that those aren't important), we can easily feel impotent. At a minimum, community connections help us rebuild a sense of social cohesion. And music? -- well, it fills the void in ways nothing else can. Beautiful post!
p.s. Aubrey's pieces were just what I needed to hear (and sing along with).
I feel your essay today was a very sweet and I think accurate assertion of the power of community gatherings of all sizes and with varied intentions! People love to belong and feel seen, to be buoyed by others happiness and to support in collective grief! And to work together! The Daily Antidote of Song is one very powerful example of such a community! It powered so many people (attendees and performers) through the fears and isolation of pandemic, and continues evolving to meet the current moment! So much more could be said about all sorts of community groups, alliances, coalitions, but I will end by saying that we might all find ourselves wandering in the wilderness without them! Thank You, Stewart! PS Stewart have you read any of Garrett Bucks? He really advocates potlucks, too!
Thanks, Susan. I just checked out Garrett’s website. Certainly a kindred spirit of collective engagements. I am also happy to think that these weekly musings of mine might offer some benefit to people, aside from being (I hope) good reading. When it seems like when we are all forced to hear a few loud voices in the world (and the news), it helps to listen to each other. Thanks for reading, reflecting, and sharing.
Stew, I find myself close to tears a lot right now, but particularly when I come across ideas and actions that feel heart-true to me. Apart from more widely known levers, like protests, donations, and calls to our representatives (not that those aren't important), we can easily feel impotent. At a minimum, community connections help us rebuild a sense of social cohesion. And music? -- well, it fills the void in ways nothing else can. Beautiful post!
p.s. Aubrey's pieces were just what I needed to hear (and sing along with).
Beautiful. The infrastructure of being together is more than a mood shift. Thanks for that observation.