The world today is complicated. So many people disagreeing on everything from politics to religion to which deodorant really provides all day protection. As I was driving this morning listening to the radio, I realized how easily I could be transported to another place and time by a certain song. Play Chicago’s “Hard For Me to Say I’m Sorry – Theme from the movie Summer Lovers”, and I am instantly back at the Tara theater with my new girlfriend Sherrie (now my wife of 24+ years). Amazing! As I pondered this, I thought that a certain taste or smell can have the same power over us. The human brain is an incredible piece of work. I can’t remember the name of the parent I just met at my son’s field day, but I can remember what my Grandmother’s kitchen looked like when I smell hot chocolate made with Hershey’s cocoa. Now I haven’t seen that kitchen in over 35+ years but I could walk around in it with my eyes closed after smelling that. We are wired to associate sounds, tastes, and smells with specific memories. Now I’m sure that my behaviorist friends will tell me that this is all related to survival instincts and such (I was always a bit of a humanist) but I think it is much deeper than that. Music and food have spiritual powers that connect us to our past and, I believe, connect us to our common humanity. People in every culture base their religious experiences around music and food. When they get together with friends to celebrate, mourn, or just hang-out, it is safe to assume that music and food will play a central role. So here’s my suggestion for bringing an end to all the bickering. Sit down together share your favorite food and the memories it stirs up, tell each other about your favorite song and why it makes you smile, laugh, cry, etc. I don’t think that it will make us all come to a consensus over things we disagree about, but it might at least help us to understand each other a little better. Maybe we can connect as human beings and drop the labels for awhile (Tea Party, liberal, conservative, gay, straight, Christian, Muslim, white, black, etc.). Memories can be powerful. When you share them with other people, you share part of who you are. So my request to all of you who read this, is to sit down with someone and share some food and songs. At best, you might find you’re not so different after all. At worst, you’ll be full and have some new tunes to create new memories.
Peace and Happiness,
Dave
September 25, 2010 at 1:39 am |
How ’bout you cook us up some good grub and I bring over “Seasons in the Sun”? Great post and so true. I can remember sitting in back of the white Chevrolet with the black top, looking out the back window at night as the sounds of Wolfman Jack came over the radio. I swear I can feel the vinyl and smell Dad’s cigarettes right now. Thanks for the post.
Your sis in writing crime,
Michelle