Of all the unattractive character traits out there, arrogance has to be one of the worst. I recoil automatically from claims of personal superiority or cocky entitlement. As far as I'm concerned, we're all of uniform worth; each of us equally deserving of respect.
I was tenderly told that Thursday's band post was slightly arrogant. Who am I to think that we can just barge in and "do what we want"? Why should I assume that everyone who doesn't LOVE the band is a blowhard? For pete's sake, students came to the library for a quiet evening of studying. Do I really expect stressed out students to be happy when we force our loud silliness onto them?
The answer: No. I'm under no delusions that the band is somehow above the law or automatically deserving of fans. I didn't intend to demonize our protesters and I most certainly didn't expect everyone to cheerfully greet us.
However, the point of the rally wasn't to upset students and staff. We play to have fun and to encourage other people to enjoy themselves. Rallies are meant to be spontaneous and positive-- a small reminder that, beneath all of the monotony and affliction, being alive truly is fantastic.
Of course I am biased. I love what the band does, obviously. Surely people have good reasons for disliking the group and they are perfectly welcome to their opinion. Can people be upset, sitting there, arms crossed, with a sour "get the fuck out" expression? YES! Go right ahead. In no way do I think I'm 'better' than you, either. We just have differing responses and opinions, neither person superior.
So what's the problem? Even though I respect their views, I have a hard time understanding why people get so pissed off at such trivial inconveniences. Especially when those annoyances have a positive core. I feel many things are not worth getting excessively worked up over. 8 minutes of bad clothes and bad music is pretty much small beans.
Don't tolerate hate crimes, or fraud or injustice. Get hysterical over wrecking your car or loosing a loved one. Why go berserk over some college kids playing Paul Simon? We're not harming anyone. We're not vandalizing or stealing. We're not even out to purposely be obnoxious... we could have played for 30, 40 minutes, but we didn't. So many people rely on substances or money to make them happy. Us, we're just putting on a free concert. Call the police when there's a burglary or gang violence.
I think Thursday's overall behavior reflects a deeper problem in our society: so many of us overreact to nuisances. Sometimes I wonder if some people purposely look for things to get outraged over.
I didn't always think this way, either. Many things changed for me when Celiac disease climbed onto my body. Before I fell ill, I was constantly distraught over homework and would freak out over slight obstacles. I would get twisted up inside if things weren't just so. Having my health stolen for a year was a lesson in perspective. For my own survival, I had to stop fighting the waves and learn to roll with them. Being sick every night made me realize most everything is insignificant if you have your health, some food, some cash, a place to live and people that care about you.
This doesn't mean I'm now endlessly happy. Things still bother me, there are still bad days and troubling news. But now, I try to remain calm and collected; maybe roll my eyes a bit if the situation is too ironic. I want the small things to wash over me so I'll have strength for the larger things.
So what if it's raining. I'll bike with a poncho. So what if people are late. We all fall behind sometimes. So what if my gluten-free pumpkin bread is a moist, dense brick. I'll cover the loaf with rum icing, eat it anyways and like it.
When there are big problems, or ongoing complications, I try to step back and rationally find a solution. Maybe even ask for advice or write down my thoughts. I'm still learning to calmly tackle personal issues instead becoming overwhelmed. Honestly, I don't always succeed. Yet my closest friends and family continue to aid me; despite being miles away, I know they are there.
And, thanks to gluten, I now have faith that while tomorrow may not be better, the day after tomorrow will be.
Until then, I look for any reason to laugh.
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