Searching for the Sound

I was particularly struck by the profundity of Jordan Peterson’s description of his experience at a Kelley’s Heroes show in Nashville. I’ve often tried and failed in attempting to put moments like this into words. Those moments when you look all around you—in the middle of a jam—and are overcome with overwhelming joy. I’ve yet to hear anyone else articulate anything close to what moments like this mean to me, but I think Peterson’s explanation might be as close as it gets.

Life is a spectrum of colors and sounds that elicit a sometimes dizzying range of emotions. Music is one mechanism we have at our disposal that helps to tie it all together. To be moved by music is not at all uncommon, but the phenomenon is miraculous nonetheless.

It’s carried through the molecules that surround us, and it penetrates those of which we’re made of. While music may be physically received through our ears, it is undoubtedly perceived and transcribed by our soul. It sparks ideas. It gives us strength. It breaks our hearts. Without it we don’t stand a chance; with it we stand together.

Benjamin McDonald @bensmcd

This is a visual representation of what Peterson’s talking about. For context, the kid in red is standing next to his dad (brown jacket) who he looks over to just before he clasps his hands 🙏 You don’t have to like Phish for this scene to resonate. We’ve all been there. Jam on!

Music evokes memories we’ve long ago moved past and visions of the future that we find ourselves striving toward. It’s impossible not to drift off in thought when we hear, yet again, the songs of our youth. Where was I at the time? Who was I with? Where did I go from there? The memories of good times, bad times, and everything in between are preserved in the acoustics of our minds and the overtones of our hearts.

Through it we learned to dance, we fell in love, and we discovered the evolutionary theory. The music of yesterday, today, and tomorrow reverberates in the hallways of eternity and is a fundamental element of what it means to be an earthling. Our life begins with the song of our mother’s lullaby and ends (God willing) with Amazing Grace.

Whether you’re lost deep in the forest or turning left on Main Street, there's a song to be heard. And no matter what’s going down or passing through the loudspeakers of our lives, we can always listen to the music. May this be a friendly reminder to close your eyes, tune in, and to be unapologetically fearless in your search for the sound.