You remember how to make a G chord on the guitar. You have instant recall when it comes to what gets plugged into where for your live music setup. You have lyrics that you know by heart. You still replay lessons from your voice teacher in your head when you fall back on the techniques that he or she taught you.
But what about the big lesson that we all learned during the pandemic? And just because we’re now beyond May, it doesn’t mean that we can discard mental health awareness.
The other day I was saying that the expression “Christmas in July” really should be “Christmas in June” because that would actually mark the halfway point. Either way, the concept should help remind us of how grateful we should always be for what we have.
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Three days ago, I spoke to someone who used to coach basketball (to kids) and said that he used to tell them, “You gotta not only thank your guardian or your parents… give thanks for what God’s provided you in your life… Think about the sacrifice somebody has made to allow you to come and participate in basketball, to attend this school.”
This all adds up to the point of this week’s blog, which is, be nice(r) to people. Remember that you never know what someone is going through.
You’ve been texting and/or calling and/or emailing a venue that you’ve been trying to get booked at and the person who’d told you to contact them isn’t getting back to you? Or he or she is short with you? Consider that it could have nothing to do with you whatsoever and maybe they’re dealing with something in their personal life that is affecting them at work.
Yesterday was my wedding anniversary so my wife and I went out to dinner. At one point I told her, “This server seems like she doesn’t want to be here.” After my wife agreed, I painted a picture of what could be why the server was coming across that way. “Last August 1st her husband died and now this is her first Father’s Day without him here,” I said hypothetically.
The point is that I could’ve actually been right.
Someone who I know suffered a pretty noteworthy injury recently. Clearly it had a really big (negative) impact on them. I could see that it was what their whole life became about. And with the damage being something people would see (scar, cast, etc.), folks are going to notice. But be sure to recognize that someone you are talking to could be dealing with something internal (and worse). You won’t SEE the heart trouble going on inside someone’s chest. But rest assured that they sure as heck know that it’s there. It’s serious and they’re worried about it and it’s tough for them to focus on what you, ahem, need.
Plenty of parents out there are struggling, unfortunately, with something that their son or daughter is going through. And on top of it they likely have one or more other children that they still have to be just as much of a parent to, not to mention the spouse role, plus whatever role they hold at their job.
If someone said they were going to try to see about getting your song placed in a film or TV show and they’re only responding to your texts, emails, etc. with one-word answers, don’t be so quick to play the “this person doesn’t like me” or “I’ve got no chance” card. Show grace and remember that you (more than likely) don’t know the person and thus have no idea whatsoever what might be happening in their life that makes placing your song a task, not a priority.
It was encouraging that there was a positive that came out of Covid, which was that people started appreciating one another more, saying “I love you” more, and cherishing humanity. Don’t undo that already by being impatient, dramatic, or selfish. To quote a proverb from the 1500s, “Kill ‘em with kindness.”
Have questions about being a creator? For almost 20 years I’ve been helping indie music artists, authors, entrepreneurs, podcasters, small businesses and more. Benefit from all my years of service to them and get on a call with me to get the assistance you need to keep yourself and your career moving forward. Let’s collaborate on what’s not working for you and what I’ve seen work for others so you continue making progress.