So this sorta spring boarded from some video I saw on the pathwaytohappiness site, though it’s a better take than his IMO.
It started when I heard him call language just a bunch of grunts that we assign meaning to (and that was supposed to be a “Big brain” take) and that once you see that you won’t have to worry about whether you’re being authentic or not (which to me was weird to preface a lesson on the importance of being authentic with…not worrying about if you are or not). It seemed smart to me at the time but it’s stupid in hindsight.
Now my take. I was listening to a song and thought how cool it is that these words, these sounds, can evoke so many emotions. It’s like the notes of a song and when you put them together it’s meaning and understanding. I’m still wowed how these sounds can become more than that and enable so much, so much so that it’s like the fabric of our lives. How much power do words have, or rather is it the power we give them? I’m sure there is some psychological strings you can pull from there.
The more I think the cooler it gets. The concepts, the words, how my brain is taking these and making something more than that, like some story telling or synthesis. Something I just took for granted turned out to be more fascinating than I could have imagined.
I wonder how different my life would have been without language, would I be here thinking this now? Pondering language and the power and impact it has. How other animals have their own language we don’t know.
Like…how much of my life would be different without this. It’s a little scary and thrilling to think about, what would it be like if I never knew this.
You are beginning to sound more optimistic, I sincerely hope this is genuine.
As ex-musician I have known the power of music and how it can soothe the soul.
Give a listen to this little little duet of “Always and Forever”.
Put the pictures on full screen and let the sounds carry you through the forest.
The visual waves of nature’s splendor compliment this wonderful reverie.
and for good measure close your eyes and listen to this brilliant performance by a physically challenged musical genius
I think it’s crazy how these things can just affect us like this. Part of me wonders if it is the meaning that we give it, like what they’re saying on that site. But another part of me thinks it’s more complex than that, because how we give meaning to something is more than just deciding to.
Though I can’t say I know, it’s dizzying to think about it.
Beauty is very pleasing to the brain. The brain, being a biological computer likes cognition of peaceful and majestic environments and resolution of an expectation.
This is why the arts are so powerful in evoking emotions of all kinds.
In music it is “harmony” that is very pleasing to the mind.
Whenever I listen to that rendition of Always and Forever, the performance is so beautifully and harmoniously executed, when the harmonica comes in for the resolution, I weep from sheer emotion. That is not terrifying, it is satisfying.
I used to do a lot of photography and acquired an eye for composition and the accompanying pictures in that video are of the highest artistry.
This is why use this particular rendition as an example of :
“Art is creation of that which evokes an emotional response leading to thoughts of the noblest kind.”
I understand your frustration. It sounds tough to reconcile with the idea that you need to “create” emotions yourself. Everyone processes emotions differently, and what might be challenging for one person can feel manageable to another. If you’re struggling with this, it might help to talk to a professional who can offer more personalized guidance and strategies. You’re not alone in feeling this way, and there are ways to work through it.
I guess when I stop to think about it it’s kinda crazy and amazing how all this stuff just makes us feel all these things and how we’re shaped by everything around us.
