Four years later, it is still deeply and painfully saddening to think that Prince Rogers Nelson, a man who touched and changed the lives of so many people, from so many different walks of life, a man who brought the world so much joy and entertainment, passed away alone … no wife by his side, no children to carry on his name.
We don’t need Clouds lingering over the anniversary or manner of his demise, real or imagined. We don’t honor him with hate or division.
“I don’t want to get up on a soapbox. My view of the world, you can debate that for ever. But I’m a musician. That’s what I do. And I also am music. Come to the show for that.” [emphasis added] [1]
Prince was excellent at telling us what he thought, holding back what he didn’t want known, taking strong stances, changing his mind, etc. The one thing that never changed with him was letting the world know what music meant. He lived and breathed it, because he IS, WAS, and Forever Shall BE Music.
Finding our way through This Thing Called Life … After without a roadmap has been difficult to say the least. Fam fight over several issues, for example people “using” Prince. So, let’s go to class for a moment and start by defining the term.
Use – to put into action; employ.[2]
Use is not a negative word on it’s own. I can use soap and water to wash my hands. No automatic evil there. It’s when humans bring their negativity onto the scene that the meaning takes a turn for the worse. I return to the idea of considering motive and manner to determine the good from the bad. Telling a true, positive story about Prince to highlight the unknowns of one of the amazing concert tours he put on is not automatically negative. It becomes negative when certain people are intentionally cut out of the story, or the storytellers enlarge their personal role while diminishing the roles of others, or try to make others look bad, or heck, just straight out lie.
Playing live music to bring people together to dance, party, and have a good time, while being paid for your efforts, well, that’s what Prince did with his music when he was Here. He worked that body hard and delivered showmanship and skill the world is likely never to see again. He brought folks with him who worked hard and looked amazing doing so too. The bands who played onstage with him continuing to play his music for the people live isn’t automatically a negative use. It becomes negative when human emotions like pride, ego, selfishness, etc., enter the picture.
What Do You Want Me To Do?
We can’t seem to find our way as a unified family. The one destination that we should all be able to see our way to clearly is the place where his music brings people together.
I believe numbers have significant meanings. As we enter this fourth year since his transitioning I try, in the same way many of you probably do, to derive some positive meaning from it all. The number four has some connection to the concepts of Stability, Order and Creation. (In the interest of full disclosure, I am a Christian. I believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, unapologetically, though I am not “religious-y” by any stretch of the imagination. As per usual, I’m not mad at anyone who believes differently.)
We see the Number Four in our daily lives, the Four Directions (NEWS) ;) – West being my fave. The Earth is comprised of the Four Elements – Earth, Wind, Fire, Water. Our time here is divided into Four Seasons, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. Additionally, an Earth Day is broken down into four parts, Morning, Noon, Evening, Night.
In the book of Genesis, it is written that God completed creation of the universe on the Fourth Day. Gen. 1:16 talks about the Sun, Moon, & Stars – some Fam know where I’m going with that. ;) After completing creation of the universe, He filled it with life, brought living things; people together.
Prince talked about creating and was one of the most prolific creators this world has seen. He created an entire universe from music and then filled it with life – us, from all parts of the globe.
That’s where I am in my musing. Wondering how each of us can take whatever skills, talents, or abilities we have (and I believe we do all have something and the extra time we have in quarantine) and create something that brings people together. Based on current circumstances, creating division among humans is exceedingly easy. Nothing good comes easy. Who is about engaging in The Work to do something that brings joy, happiness, and people 2gether? We definitely all got a space to fill. We all have dirt. We all do wrong, make mistakes, etc. Do we all admit our mistakes? Correct our missteps? Forgive?
Peace to everyone struggling with the heavy emotion of this time of year,
& Much Love 2 u,
Violet
IG: @violetesq
@violetbinteractive
www.VioletBInterACTive.com
PRINCE/365 A CELEBRATION
[1] “Prince: I Am a Musician. And I Am Music,” by: Dorian Lynsky, The Guardian, June 23, 2011, at https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/23/prince-interview-adele-internet
[2] Use definition via Merrimack-Webster Dictionary at https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/use
This really spoke to me “Based on current circumstances, creating division among humans is exceedingly easy. Nothing good comes easy.” It is work and the “narrow gate” to sow love and truth. I get tired of seeing and at times entering into the debates. I really just want to enjoy and share what his music has meant and means to me. Thank you for your heart Violet. Gobless you