Music

2018, so far, is becoming a very interesting year. Apart from several nice holidays, (London, Monaco and for the tenth time my home away from home New York City, New York!), on a personal level something beautiful happened.

In the very first months of this year, when coldness firmly had it’s grip on the land, moods were oftentimes less than joyful. It was then that my expectations of what I believed to be an everlasting bond, were severely tested. The certainties about it had to be forcefully re-evaluated after some events that left me disappointed. Or was it perhaps a re-evaluation of my own naivety? That which I held dear as values and norm, I came to expect also from other’s, especially to those few who I hold dear to my heart. Was I the one who cloaked the current disappointments with memories of days gone by and thus continued to be untrue to my own feelings?


Just like Superman, I chose to go north. Drachten is my fortress of solitude. It was the month of February. Not to be on a total soul searching journey and make it very heavy, I secured tickets for two guys who did a tribute show called The Simon & Garfunkel Story just to make the journey a bit light hearted. Now I know that the average nitwit in 2018 goes crazy about some flashy Beyoncé concert, and you might even wonder why I chose to go a tribute show, but almost by coincidence I heard some songs from a Simon and Garfunkel cd a few days before the event and was instantly captivated by their musical geniuses.
So when the opportunity presented itself to be in Drachten and go see them in an auditorium called “Lawei” I couldn’t resist.


And then something amazing happened. As soon as they started to sing, even by the first note of the guitar, all my troubles disappeared. It was as if an ocean of tranquillity came over me. More than this, it rejoined me with my memories of my youth. A time where there wasn’t any hidden agenda’s or subversive friendships. What you saw was what you got. It was harmonious. It was special. At that period in time, that was the norm. Just be good to yourself and be good to others, big or small.
The songs played that evening were so powerful, not only in dialogue but also in execution, it resonated deeply within me. Not in recent memory did I feel so at peace with everything around and in me.
After the performance my feelings were firmly realigned. There was a newfound acceptance of myself in who I am, what I stand for and what defines me as a human being.


In the days after that I kept thinking back what a nice effect music had on me. Then came the announcement that Art Garfunkel as well as Paul Simon were coming, albeit separately, to perform. Coincidence? Who knows?


So far, this year I have been to performances by Toto, Trevor Noah, Art Garfunkel, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon and Melody Gardot. At the North Sea Jazz festival, we witnessed Chic, Earth, Wind and Fire and Gregory Porter.


And everytime I felt so grateful to be a part of it all. Yes, certain music really did have a positive effect on me. It heals.
Just recently one of my favourite aunts passed away. It was then that once again music proved to be a dear friend speaking to me words of comfort.
Be at peace with yourself people, be thankful for every new day and listen to some music.
It’s the best reward you can give yourself.
When was the last time you sat down and took the time to listen?