As when most tragic events happen, we've found ourselves coming (somewhat) closer together as not only a nation, but a world, in light of the recent events in Manchester. When it hits such a full interest like music, however, these events bring attention to a whole new meaning of "togetherness."
I'm honored and proud to be a part of something not only larger than myself, but something that, when situations like this arise, is unconditionally understanding, supportive, and wanting to help alleviate pain or stress or heartache in any way possible. The common denominator is obviously music and the peace it creates simply by being, so I've seen plenty of covers, live tributes, and moments of silence mid-show for those lost and those grieving.
Upon listening to a cover of "Let It Be" by The Beatles, done by the ever so lovely Alex Aiono, I stumbled into the comments section to see if I could find any comments of substance. Without reading through too many "NOTIF SQUAD" and "OOOOMG THIS IS SO GOOD" comments, I found one comment that really made me uncertain. I'd love to use the word upset, but I can't fault this person for how they view the situation.
As a preface, I must say, I tend to make things far more emotional than they need to be. It is something you'll learn about me more as I go about sharing my inner most thoughts and feelings here. I think too much, and I pick the simplest things apart for the sake of finding some bubbling over of emotional nonsense. This was one of those comments that sparked that... or maybe it's the hippie/flower child/peace craving inner 8 year old in me.
The comment simply read "Everyone reading this, I love you all! We are all gonna win!"
This isn't the first comment I've seen similar to this one, since the incident in Manchester happened, and thinking further back, I've seen a variation of this comment more times than I could count. The uncertainty of it, or the part that made me upset, is the idea that happiness and basic comfort in our own environment is something we have to battle for. It's something we're in competition for. It's something we have to fight for. I get it's called "the war on terror," but when did happiness seemingly stop being a basic human right?
Everyone knows the opposite of "win" is "lose," and unfortunately, in this situation, those people losing are the ones dealing with loss. I've been stewing over comments like that for a few days, and I can't seem to reach a decent conclusion on why we either deal with loss or we have to compete over who gets to be happy, and under what circumstances. I know the phrase "you have to work for what you want" shouldn't feel applicable here, but why are we idling in a position where happiness doesn't seem to be guaranteed.
Happiness no longer feels unconditional, although I'm sure it never really was, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be kept from being some sort of available source to everyone. I'm talking about it like it's a common good, but why does it actually feel like we're buying, trading, and selling delight for what it is, and what it could be, vs enjoying it for how we have it and find it already? What are we trading it for? Everyone has happiness in them, so why don't we act like it?
We have love, we have compassion, we have caring, it's all a basic human right, yet we're fighting wars and battling to keep our lives from people who don't seem to have it or have never been shown it. That doesn't mean it should have to be "won."
You win games. Happiness isn't a game, happiness is enlightenment. It's livelihood. Why do we feel like it's something that's not already in us, it's something we have to fight for? As a side note, I want to express my deepest sorrows to those dealing with loss, following the bombing in Manchester, at this time. I want everyone to love, and love hard, for the rest of their days.
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