Do you ever feel like some people have a driving need to label? I know, I'm probably guilty of this from time to time as well. But some people seem to be more comfortable being able to put you in a little box, package you up all nice and pretty like and tagging you with a label...forever. And then from that nice little label they have given you, they like to make all sorts of assumptions and predictions, and treat you in an unfair manner.
Let me just say to those who have a need to do this - get out of your head!! Your assumptions are probably wrong! Stop reading between the lines and start taking people for the words that actually come out of their mouth!
I feel like this is something that has been overshadowing my whole life. I sometimes feel like its rare that I know someone who actually gets me, who takes the time to figure out how I tick and doesn't judge me for it. And I thank the Universe every day for those people. I recently worked in a position where for the whole time I was there, not one person really took the time to know ME. It bothers me because I am not someone to just put everything out there for people to see (although I blog...hmmm...), and left and right I see people making snap judgments about me without really ever questioning whether their judgments are right or too harsh. And most of the time these judgments, in my humble opinion, fall into the category of being completely wrong.
This also happens when I start talking about my music. I often get asked what sort of music I write. I have a really hard time answering that question, so I usually sound somewhat flakey with my answer of "Well, you know, man, its like folky-alternative-rockish kinda music...sorta like Sarah McLachlan, Jewel and Alanis Morrisette, but nothing like them...you know?" *shakes head* Freakin' hippy. (Yes, I am referring to myself that way) I have ALWAYS said that my first album is going to be quite a mix of everything from rock, pop, alternative, opera, bhangra and other world music. I like everything, I think I have the range to do everything, so why the hell can't I do everything? Why do I need to pick a genre and stick with just that??
This also happens when I start talking about my music. I often get asked what sort of music I write. I have a really hard time answering that question, so I usually sound somewhat flakey with my answer of "Well, you know, man, its like folky-alternative-rockish kinda music...sorta like Sarah McLachlan, Jewel and Alanis Morrisette, but nothing like them...you know?" *shakes head* Freakin' hippy. (Yes, I am referring to myself that way) I have ALWAYS said that my first album is going to be quite a mix of everything from rock, pop, alternative, opera, bhangra and other world music. I like everything, I think I have the range to do everything, so why the hell can't I do everything? Why do I need to pick a genre and stick with just that??
Life is fluidity. People are fluid. People are always changing. Stop with the snap judgments. I am an onion. I reveal myself one layer at a time. If you don't want to have the patience to peel back the layers, then just don't bother starting.
Gawd, someone let the hippy into the room again...
