mindful, yet thoughtless

Are just such nice lyrics because that’s really how I’ve always felt about singing and how I wish everyone could feel.

As a person with moderate singing skills, I’ve always felt in the middle of two groups of people—those with professional skill & talent—and those who can’t carry a tune in a bucket.

So often, the former treat it like a contest. I’ve been in a car full of friends who are actually on broadway, and they sometimes seem to need to make sure we all know how talented they are….even though of course we know….they’re broadway actors.

And when I’m singing in my car with friends who “can’t” sing, they mumble quietly or apologize, and when it’s out of their range they trail off. They’re afraid of being heard.

But humans are supposed to sing for the sake of singing!! It’s healing, it’s fun, it’s cathartic, it’s bonding and connecting to other humans!!

We should all sing without feeling we have anything to prove or lose or gain!! We should hit notes wrong or exactly right without thinking about what the person next to us thinks, and they should be doing the same thing!!

Humans are supposed to sing, and shout, and dance, and make art, and do all of these things, beautifully, badly, ugly, and all wonderful.

I love that the song is initially called “to noise making.” Yes!! Make noise!!! Even if it’s off-key, dance even if it’s off-beat, paint even if it never looks right.

Exist and create and don’t judge yourself for what comes out and don’t judge anyone else and don’t spend time with people who judge you.