Life’s Symphony
“One note does not make a symphony; one artist does not make an orchestra.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo
(Photo credit: Fred Siegel Photography)
We are all musicians in a universal orchestra. Each of us uniquely blessed and divinely provisioned with a distinct musical gift, no two of which are alike.
Every one of us with an essential part in the symphony of life.
We start by exploring the instrument we’ve been given to play in this lifetime. Connecting with our inner music and learning our soul’s song.
Following the beat of our own drum.
Then, as social creatures with brains wired for music and collective collaboration, we are called as if by an invisible conductor — God, The Universe, our neurogenetics — to be part of something larger.
To bring together our individual instruments and the music in our souls to find harmony with those of our fellow beings.
To join the universal orchestra.
To create grander, more elaborate and exquisite music as a collective than we can on our own.
To perform life’s symphony.
At times the music is ethereal and otherworldly — reflecting a collective consciousness and shared humanity amongst the players — at others a cacophony of dissonant elements as we play over each other at a fever pitch, striving to make ourselves heard.
Prior to the Great Pause, the music coming out of our universal orchestra was anything but harmonious. Our culture of competitive narcissism producing a deafening chorus of “me-me-me” as all the world’s musicians attempted to solo simultaneously — putting the caca in cacophony.
Then, with the help of an invisible pathogen, the Great Conductor silenced the universal orchestra, as if she’d grown tired of the din of warring instruments. Giving all the world’s players a collective time out. A magical moment of ma.
Music is a collaboration. A conversation, not a competition. Humanity at its best should be the same.
To make beautiful music together, we must make space for each and every instrument, recognizing and celebrating its part in the universal symphony. Trusting that everyone will get their moment in the spotlight. Just not all at once.
Orchestras that produce the most beautiful music are those infused with mutual respect for one another’s musical talents and contributions. Those who sit in reverent awe as they witness the offerings of their fellow musicians.
Decades ago I went to a Lyle Lovett concert at the Paramount Theater in Oakland. Rather than being a one-man show — a big-name talent supported by a group of nameless backup musicians — Lyle went out of his way to celebrate and showcase every performer on the stage. He gave each a lengthy solo and watched in rapt attention — with deep respect and obvious awe for their talent — as they performed in the spotlight.
There was not one star, there was a stage full of them. He saw them and treated them as equals.
I was not particularly a fan when I went in but was when I left. His musical abilities and those of his fellow musicians were truly amazing but what made the evening memorable all these years later was the humanity with which he guided the performance.
My dream for the world is that this global pandemic — and the Great Pause it gifted us — inspires us to be like Lyle.
To rediscover and celebrate the musical gifts of our fellow beings.
To take turns in the spotlight.
To find harmony in our shared humanity.
To put WE before ME.
If you’d like a guide on your journey of curious self-discovery, please book a curious conversation to explore how the Vulnerability Doula can be of service to you.