I’m pondering paranoia this morning. It’s a curious trait in people that I don’t quite understand. I have felt it at times in my life in strange ways. When I was a teenager in love I thought that every note from a girlfriend had hints that she was seeing someone else on the side. I remember thinking that some kids in my neighborhood were plotting something against me or other kids (sometimes they were!) When shows like the X-Files were on the air I bought into some of the paranoid theories at least far enough to enjoy the show. I’m sure paranoia was a valuable trait in our ancestors who needed a bit of it just to survive, but it leads to stress and worry that often leads to real problems in us. What is the Bible quote? “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” I think worry comes from paranoia when we think about other people and their motives. Either way it does not come from trust, and trust is what’s necessary to have a functioning life, family, and community. Trust comes from a reassurance that we all are looking out for each other because we understand our interdependence and oneness. I’m not sure what it takes in people to instill this. For some it’s religion and the fear of God. For some it’s a desire for growth and improvement. For others it’s just a realization that it’s necessary. I tend to be a utopian, but I really think that love is the answer. I’ll just keeping making it my life’s purpose.
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What have I been up to?
I only had one senior facility last week, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I think the residents did too. I can’t tell you how much satisfaction I get from helping to make others lives more enjoyable.
Thursday was my Facebook Original Songs Show, and it went very well. I don’t do my own songs all that often, and it was very gratifying to have so many people turn out to watch and listen to my songs and stories. I wish I had written more of them over my life so far.
Sunday was my Facebook Requests Show, and I worked on learning a lot of songs this week, and for the most part they came off pretty well. I’m always a little hesitant on new songs until I’ve performed them several times, but my fingers and my brain didn’t fail me this week.
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What am I up to this week?
I have a couple shows at senior facilities outdoors that should be rewarding.
Thursday 7-8:30 mountain time I have my Facebook Theme night again. This week is titled Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald Standards. I have lived a lot of my life in these standards. I have close to 50 Nat King Cole albums with his trio, and I have at least half that in Ella albums by herself or with collaborators like Louis Armstrong and Joe Pass. My dad grew up learning standards off the Hit Parade radio show, and I have played them for my seniors for more than 40 years. This will be a very enjoyable night of stories and great songs.
Sunday 7-8:30 is my Facebook Request Show again. I’m not getting quite as many requests as I had been, but I have dozens of requests from the past weeks that I’m still working on, and I’d love to be able to do some as they are requested as well. Please join me if you can.
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That’s it for this week. I’m having a good discussion online with a group of friends about what I wrote about above, and I think we’re close to solving it! Just kidding! These thoughts will be around long after we’re gone, I’m afraid. Have a good week, and I hope to see you down the road - maybe online.
Best always,
Tom
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Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing a Facebook Live Concert of Nat and Ella standards
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/photos-videos
When: Thursday, August 6, 7-8:30 pm mountain time
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing a Facebook Live Concert of requests and favorites
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/photos-videos
When: Sunday, August 9, 7-8:30 pm mountain time