Themeattics

Hide not your talents, they for use were made,
What’s a sundial in the shade?

Benjamin Franklin

There’s a lot of negativity going on lately, and, if I’m being honest, I can’t say it’s without reason. The general state of humanity isn’t exactly striving for gains of late. I do want to put up a beacon though – a little lighthouse on the rocky coast. Issue a bit of a challenge to all you wonderful people.

I’ve written a few times in the past of my love of witnessing talent. Reading works from the greats, watching classic films, getting swept up in professional game play, etc. You name it. I want to circle back on that today because, well, I think more people need to do this.

Full disclosure, I’ve been in a bit of a slump lately. Still pressing ahead on things, of course, but the lack of progress and ever-mounting needs from everywhere have been something of a killjoy. The grind wears us all down, in time, and it’s easy to lose track of what we are, where we’re going, and the drive behind it all.

Earlier this year, I mentioned to the missus that some day I’d like to go see a Postmodern Jukebox concert. She, being awesome, took that to heart and wouldn’t let me back out of buying tickets for their show in San Antonio that just so happened to fall right around my birthday. So, we booked it. Neat. Something to look forward to.

Now, if you’re not aware of PMJ, they’re a big-band-esque group that does covers of more contemporary, popular songs in a slew of different styles. Some examples, for instance: The Weeknd’s Die for You done as a 70’s Bond theme, Kiss’s I Was Made for Lovin’ You done as a Spaghetti Western, and Kings of Leon’s Use Somebody as vintage soul. Just like the styles, they use all sorts of singers to fit the song. Because of that, I know PMJ concerts are something of a grab bag on who they have touring with them at any specific venue. I didn’t know what to expect aside from a good show, and that, at the time, was good enough for me.

What I got was something that relit a spark in me. I don’t think I’ve ever been in the presence of that much raw skill. It was easily the best thing I’ve ever seen live, and I’m not sure anything I’ll see again will come close. It was a masterclass in what human beings are capable of achieving – everything from the music itself, to the singing, to the performances, to the composition, to the hosting… I like to play at being a decent writer, but sitting here trying to stream-of-consciousness this post, I can’t begin to put into words how absolutely unbelievable it was. How beautiful it was. We were absolutely blessed to be graced with someone of the unbridled talent of Gunhild Carling, a Swedish Jazz legend who played something like 10 different instruments between singing and tap dancing, sometimes at the same time. She played three trumpets at once. She played a trumpet handless, balanced on her face with her head tipped back, while jamming on a bass. I can’t properly convey how mesmerizingly absurd it all was. And how good.

Not that these other things come anywhere close to that absolute showcase of human potential, but I’ve also been following through with my plan to get back to ingesting high-quality content. After I finish the book I’m reading now, I’m going to go pick up some of my favorites of the past and comb them both for enjoyment and lessons. I just finished watching two incredible tournaments, loving the display of skill, reactions, and training paying off.

I just love experiencing what we’re able to do when we put our minds to it. When we devote ourselves to improving. To fulfilling potential. We all have so much we can do, so much we can achieve, so much we can lift those around us with. What’s the point of focusing on the negatives?

So, here’s my challenge to you, Dwellers. Find something out of the ordinary, some place where you can bask in the glory of what humanity has been made capable to achieve, and allow yourself to do that. Don’t go in cynically, get your mind right, and just experience the best of us. Maybe it’s a book. Maybe it’s a movie. A concert. A sermon or tournament or maybe some architecture. Something. Find that thing that lights a spark in you and hold onto it. Let it light something and then, most important of all, do what you must to nourish it. Don’t let the doom posters or nay sayers or jaded masses turn you away. Love something special about us and, by God, try to add to it. Add to the collection of greatness that humanity is capable of achieving. Quit waiting on other people to turn things around for you and play your part in the revival.

Godspeed, Dwellers. Until next week.