Praise on the Lake 2019
This photo was taken last year during one of the weekly prayer services that has been a spiritual element of the Pops scheduled programming for many years. Sadly, in 2020 we have been confronted with the challenge of COVID-19. Then, as if that wasn't enough, we have had to face the recent racial tension that started in Minneapolis Minnesota on Monday, May 25 with subsequent protests both peaceful and, sadly, violent spread across the United States of America. During times like these we all must look inward as we watch disturbing images continually being broadcast from cities across this Nation.
When times get difficult, it can feel as though you're fighting your life every step of the way. Whether it's navigating personal issues like a relationship ending, losing your job, fighting a disease or a more global issue like the unexpected rise of fear, anger and bigotry in your community. You feel like there is nothing you do can create a sense of peace or calm. Your world loses its safe places and becomes a myriad of complexities that seem to require more energy to navigate through both physically and emotionally.
It's during times like these that you can't help but wonder if there is something outside yourself that you can rely on .. something you can turn to in order to find that peaceful, comforting sanctuary. This journey usually requires the uneasy task of abandoning reliance on your own ability to figure it all out and cultivating an independence on something that cannot be fully explained or made to fit into life's neat little boxes.
It's a journey of developing your faith .. something that can provide a sense of purpose for you today or any difficult day. The next time you find yourself in a tough spot, here are a few ways to cultivate your faith and not lose hope in today's world and what is happening around you.
Stay Connected .. Each person has a way of dealing with difficult times in life. Some turn towards other people, relying on their support systems to hold them up and get them through the hard times. Others are more apt to retreat into themselves. If you fall into that category, its time to stop denying yourself the beauty that comes with sharing vulnerability with other people.
Practice Patience .. There is beauty to be found in the journey .. in the slow arduous journey. A flower seed is not designed to bloom in a day; a butterfly does not spread its wings in a cocoon. Take your cues from nature and take the opportunity to slow down during these times of unrest and take one day at a time.
Continue Your Practice .. There are many practices to maintain through difficult times. Many find ways to cope through yoga, meditation or physical exercise though for many others it is through .. music.
Root Yourself in Truth .. When you're faced with a challenging time, your mind can work itself sick trying to make sense of it all. You're bombarded with thoughts of why, why not, and what could be next? What does it mean when my community no longer accepts differences? This isn't the time to restructure your belief system. There might be a time to reshape your faith, but in the midst of troubling times trust your intuition and what you already know to be true. Stand firm in the beliefs and values that have served you well over the years. Spend time with those who will fill you with hope and remind you of that truth.
Serve Others .. Human suffering is universal and connects you with others in a meaningful way. Supporting others can help your mind, body and soul recognize that there is a world beyond your own hurt. You have a unique opportunity to help create a world of healing for others.
We all have our own trials and tribulations though by trying to understand how it feels to walk in another man's shoes we can hopefully make this a better world even when all we see around us is hate and bigotry, more so now than ever before in our Nation's history.
During the 2019 season the Pops brought to the floating stage, a Queen tribute band. Queen recorded a song entitled The Show Must Go On. In 2021, we have faith that the Pops show will be able to .. go on. Other songs about overcoming obstacles are Roar and Firework by Katy Perry, Stronger by Kelly Clarkson, Hero by Mariah Carey, When You Believe by Whitney Houston duet with Mariah Carey, Rise Up by Andrea Day, Stop Believing by Journey, Up by Shania Twain, I'm Still Standing by Elton John and Let It Be by The Beatles. Let It Be is about finding oneself in times of trouble and darkness, spirituality, words of wisdom, finding answers, having light and shining even in darkness and .. sometimes you can't change the world, you can only change your reaction to it.
Music is always there .. you can rely on it. Music never lets you down. It's a source of hope that never dims or diminishes. It's a constant spring of beats, sounds and living. Music holds all sorts of powers .. some of them seem even more important in the harshness of the troubled times we face, today. Music is, of course, a great source of escape and distraction. It allows us to get away from things. It can guide our attention from our preoccupations and toward something else, letting us, if only for a short while, settle or set-aside our worries. Music doesn't stop us thinking, instead it allows us to reflect about other places, other things, other times, other experiences. It even transports us to other moments.
Music can't help solve things, but music can help us to cope.
Be safe. Be kind.
Pat Locke
Maestro Muse
