When I think about how similar or unique each person is, it’s hard to say whether it’s our similarities or our differences that make a stronger impression. In terms of similarities, I think each person has common hopes and desires, wishes and needs. It’s the fulfillment of those hopes and dreams or lack of fulfillment of wishes and needs that shapes how each person views the world. Though someone could have entirely different experiences than me, we would still be similar in that we would desire for human connection and kindness. I want to break down, or de-compose, my individual experiences a little here.
Now, when thinking about what makes mE unique, I have to examine my individual experiences and how those have shaped my view of the world. I grew up in a large, musical family who valued honesty, hard work, and Christian values. This generally positive childhood gave me the opportunity to explore any creative wish I had. Seeing my older siblings flourish in their adulthood and growing into my own with them has aided to that creative itch. I have been able to try a little bit of everything, with some success.
In the creative department of ideas, I am tied to many different things. I want to write about each one a little bit, starting with music. Music is one of the most important things in my life, so most of these posts will be relevant to music in some way. Thus, I cannot explain the full weight that music has on my life in one paragraph. I started playing the violin at age 5, taught by my music teacher dad in the living room. A year later, I began to take piano lessons at my church. I would walk there with an older sibling or three and we would all take our turns playing. After a move, I was taught a little bit by various family members, until I figured I could teach myself. At this age, I began playing oboe as well. I began to play organ for my church and participate in choirs and recording projects. I also did band and choir through my school, which aided to this. I would love to dive into each of these experiences, but that will have to wait until a later date. Instead, I want to point out that my experiences in music from a young age have shaped my unique view of the world. Because I was so exposed to participating and listening to music at all hours of the day, I can’t see the world from the view of someone who has no musical appreciation or knowledge.
I have always been a “classical” music junkie, which is rather unique in the age of electronic and pop music. Musical value aside, a lot of the appreciation and love I have for all sorts of “oldies”, as in from 300 years ago, comes from avoiding music that has contradicted my values. I prefer to avoid music that promotes drug use, sex, violence, or unkindness. Much modern day music is founded on values I do not agree with, so it is easier to avoid entirely than to weed through. Now, as I have had so much exposure to classical music, choral music, hymns, and everything in between, it has been easy to find music to love. My “liked” playlist is comprised of 700 pieces that don’t include anything I disagree with (except perhaps a few controversial chords). This consistent exposure to good, wholesome music has shaped my view of the world to a large degree and stabilized my values.
Tangent aside, I believe my love for “classical” music (very much including baroque, medieval, romantic, and much of modern band and choral music), is somewhat unique. Although many musicians love and appreciate these genres, I find that exclusively listening to those (very diverse, though grouped together) genres is not the norm for people my age. I don’t mean to sound elitist, as some believe classical musicians to be, but I do believe my love of classical music has made my musical knowledge more advanced and my desires as a musician more diverse than they would be otherwise. There are so many pieces out there that I haven’t listened to, played, or experienced that my musical listening experience will never grow stale! So many composers to explore, so many styles to play, so many pieces to listen to for the first time and love time and time again.
I did say I wouldn’t write too much about music this time around, but I must have lied! I want to share a few more things that I have a lot of love for that make me unique. As a creative individual, I have explored many different types of art. I have always been into embroidery and sewing, as well as drawing and painting. Within the last few years, I have gone on stints with things like jewelry making, clothing design, and excessive embroidery. Now, I have been a textile art lover for a couple years, and see it continuing. I have been weaving wall hangings and am starting to learn how to use heavy floor looms to make blankets, scarves, and everything in between. I think my somewhat grandma hobbies make me unique, as I never have any excuse to be bored. With everything I try, I am very aware that a lot of things I make won’t turn out exactly how I wanted, but I am no longer defeated by creative failure. On the contrary, every failure gives me one more tool to make the next project more successful. This mindset has translated very well to all aspects of my life.
One other thing that makes me unique is my love of school. I feel that a lot of rhetoric about hating learning and school is pushed in daily life, some more valid than others. Though there are parts of the education system that are not conductive to joyful learning, learning in itself is so rewarding. However, my world view of school is very much shaped by my easy education success. I have always been able to pick up on new things quickly, test well, figure out logical subjects like math, and write essays with large degrees of success. I am aware that I have not done anything to earn me this privilege. I am learning to see new things from the point of view as a frustrated student through personal teaching experience and desire to be able to connect with students who struggle with learning. That is another new thing to learn and love! My education success makes me unique because I know that nothing stands between me and difficult material but my desire to learn.
Now, these things I have discussed do make me unique to some degree. They are not, however, unachievable to any other person. Anyone can love music and school and try new creative things. Thus, they are still similarities to other people, as every person wants to find things to love and enjoy.
There are other things in my life that make me unique, such as values, behavior, family, desires in my future, individual failings and strengths, and every thought I’ve ever had. Clearly, I am rather wordy, so it may turn into a book if I discuss each individual item in full detail. Regardless of each item and my desire to share every passing thought, my uniqueness doesn’t make me special. My similarities to every other person and my inherent value as a person make me special. Every person is special because they feel, desire, and love. Again, though someone could have entirely different experiences than me, we would still be similar in that we would desire for human connection and kindness. This is my human experience thus far, de-composed.
