Control vs Freedom

This article is about music, but, the message is not actually about music....it is something much deeper.  My husband and I are big music lovers.  It's a big part of our lives and something we share with our family and friends.  Music gives us such a natural feeling of joy and fun and brings about great memories.  Think of the times you have danced the night away, or, when music was a huge part of an event you were at, and the happy memories you have.

Recently, we were listening to some documentaries about the music of the 50's....the impact it was having on people and the way they were embracing it and the fun they were having.  You could clearly see the pure joy and the natural love of what music does for us as human beings.  It seemed to give people in this video a new found sense of freedom of expression, which they were just RE-discovering.

I say rediscovering because we are born with this natural form of expression. Have you ever watched a small child?  As soon as music comes on, they FEEL it and can't stand still....it is a natural part of being human to feel the beat and sway to the music in whatever way moves you.  They don't have to be taught...they just naturally feel the rhythm.  Have you ever asked yourself why that gets knocked out of us and why there are only "appropriate" places to express this natural pleasure?   Have you ever thought about how different a workplace could be for example, if people felt comfortable enough to "break into a little dance" if a great song came on?  How could this impact a workday?  Just a little side step, jig, or two step....how would that bring a positive vibe to their work and co-workers?

This goes much deeper than music.  Rock and roll represented change, and those in "power" couldn't tolerate it.  It meant people were starting to EXPRESS themselves, have fun, listen to their hearts in doing what brought them joy.  This meant a loss of control for those "in charge".  They didn't want people to listen to their hearts and do what brought them joy....it would mean they would start to make different choices.

As the music grew fans, those in control started to feel threatened and started using media to attempt to punish and destroy.  It was a disgusting display of control and prejudice, and a true eye opener for anyone that wants to look back and recognize how this type of control continues to shape our world.  A great summary is in this article.  

As I watched this documentary, it was a reminder that society continues to be controlled by decision makers, and how people give in and accept what is being fed to them by government, media, and the masses.

This isn't just an article about what happened with rock and roll music in the 50's.  It is a reminder that society has been and continues to be controlled by government and the media, and why it is important to think for yourself, and make your own informed decisions. We are fortunate to live in a free country in Canada and the U.S., and most other countries in the world, yet, freedom is something that starts with our thinking.  If we allow ourselves to be controlled by the messages of business, government, masses thinking, we are not free at all, we are conformists living lives that mean nothing to us. We are following along like sheep believing and doing what we are being directed to do.  When we lose control of our own lives, and are living to fit into what is "acceptable" to business, government and society thinking, it leads to depression, unhappiness, being unfulfilled  and we find ourselves just going through the motions, just existing as another cog in the wheel.  As human beings, we are here to create, love, share and live into our potential.  That cannot happen if we fit into the box of unified conformity.

The first step is to create a personal awareness.  Are you just conforming, doing and thinking and taking the same actions as "everyone else", or do you think and make decisions for yourself?  Take the time to really reflect on this, watch the videos and inform yourself.  It's quite eye opening when you look back from today to how people were manipulated into conforming through something as simple and natural as music.   Now ask yourself, how is this concept still prevalent in our world today, and am I a victim of it, or am I living my life by my own choices....

Debbie Ruston has been an entrepreneur and trainer since 1986. She works with individuals, and groups interested in developing their entrepreneurial leadership mindset. Was this article of value to you? Feel free to share it on your social networks and with your contacts, join in the discussion below, and FOLLOW her on the top right corner of this page.  
​
Debbie's also on:
FB
Twitter
YouTube
Pinterest
G+https://plus.google.com/+DebbieRuston-TheSuccessEducatorAnd now on iTunes

---