Written by
Sweet Beets - IMD
Being human is hard.
Many of us have huge defensive layers shielding us from our own insecurities - that even a hint of criticism is not only received with heightened alarm, but is often taken offensively.
It seems that most of us don't truly seek opinion; we seek validation. And when that validation falls flat; it hurts.
Buckle up! I am not here to tell you want you want, I am here to tell you what I think you need....
(disclaimer, I KNOW NOTHING, so if your receptors find yourself with an aching derriere (that is a SORE ASS) after reading this, try some perspective....this is not about YOU - or maybe it is.......and if it is, why do you care? - but I digress).
Below are some statements molded in objectivity; NOT in mean spirit.
(1) GREAT MUSIC is NEVER enough!
(2) Your music deserves NOTHING!
(3) Struggling? It is NOT your music, it is YOU who are the problem.
WOW! What an asshole DC is! Who TF does he think he is? And what kind of dickhead writes about himself in the third person?
Elaborative disclaimer: I come from a long lineage of assholes.....my Daddy, he's an asshole...my Daddy's Daddy, was an asshole....my Daddy's Daddy's Daddy...asshole extraordinaire.
...you get the picture. - now that we are clear, I am, IN FACT, an asshole.....a people loving, sincere and well intentioned asshole. - but if your SBHS (Severe Butt Hurt Syndrome) is flaring up, we are going to jump right into point 3 so get that SOOTHING CREAM ready!
Let's start with the big fundamental misunderstanding.....
YOUR MUSIC DESERVES TO GET HEARD!
I hear this often from people I have grown to cherish....but each time I hear this, I am like - BULLSHIT! Your music deserves NOTHING! - SEE - I just proved it - asshole through and through.
Right out of the gate, "heard by whom"? Since when are anyone's ears obligated to anyone?
To imply that your music deserves anything more than you give it, is foolish.
"But DC, I give it all to my music....so isn't fair to expect that I should get something back?"
If that is the follow up question....I rest my case, YOU are in fact, THE PROBLEM.
If you are trying to USE Music for FAME, FORTUNE or GLORY.....it isn't MUSIC letting you down, it is you letting MUSIC down.....MUSIC IS the REWARD!
The algorithm not playing your music? Struggling to get a gig? Dissatisfied with your streaming numbers? - I am not going to pretend these don't affect anyone who aspires to share their music.....They are REAL challenges!
But if you don't have the strength to walk the path of failure which IS the road to success, THAT IS ON YOU! Not your friends, not your family, not anyone.....
If you can't find the joy in the path and learn from your challenges, then, again, YOU ARE THE PROBLEM.
What are the answers? Those are not for me to decide, they are for you.
(1) Perhaps you should reevaluate what it is that is important to you. This includes an intimate self audit of your relationship with Music.....
(2) Perhaps you ought look at each failure and ask yourself what SUCCESS really looks like.....is it FORTUNE, FAME and GLORY? If it is, then my advice it to STOP! YES, STOP!!!
No - NEVER STOP MUSIC, but STOP long enough to ask yourself, is my happiness contingent on tangible results, or is being on the road rewarding enough.
I am going to wrap this up....if the journey isn't enough, maybe you need to reevaluate your journey. If you are publicly bitter about your perceived failures, you are ADDING to the "YOU PROBLEM" (special note, no one wants to be "brow beat" for not listening to your music, and this "pity baiting" will only get you short term results but long term alienation).
....and for the last thought: it is YOUR journey, so YOU GET to decide....
YOU GET TO BE THAT BITTER person who is always complaining!
YOU GET TO CHOOSE and YOU GET TO BE YOU!
So, BE YOU and never let some fool tell you that YOU ARE THE PROBLEM.....
....rather, figure that out for yourself......
LOTS OF LOVE,
DC
