It takes all types of people to make the world go around. Yet despite all of the focus on diversity and acceptance, the world is still filled with judgment and intolerance. Even with the best of intentions we all sometimes find ourselves looking at others with a critical eye and judgmental heart.

All differences in this world are of degree, and not of kind, because oneness is the secret of everything. ~Swami Vivekananda

Just recently we were on one of our musical adventures and this notion of oneness revealed itself through music.

The Saranac Brewery in Utica, NY offers an incredible summer concert series in their courtyard right outside the brewery. We visited this spot as attendees of a concert by Michael Franti & Spearhead. Upon arriving, we were immediately immersed in a people watchers dream. We find it quite fascinating to observe people wherever we go – the ways in which people express themselves through dress and adornments, tattoos and piercings, and the dynamics of interactions with each other.

The crowd for this event contained some of the greatest diversity we have seen in a gathering in quite some time. Similarly, we stood out in our own way, dressed in Harley rain jackets and our traveling hats. We stood in the center of the courtyard and just watched in amazement at all of the disconnected pockets of people. But regardless of their disconnection, the music of Michael Franti & Spearhead had brought us all to this spot. And then the music started. As the energy from Michael Franti and Spearhead flowed through us all, the crowd became one. The experience of the music began shaping our differences into a sense of togetherness.

Michael Franti speaks of and sings about love, connection, acceptance and joy. I was keenly aware of this as I listened to the music, felt the synergy, and watched the crowd jump and surge, their hands waving in unison. A child of a diverse background, he shared the message that had been instilled in him by his parents – treat everyone the same, accept others as they are, and everyone deserves love. None of us seemed to care at all that we were drenched from the rain that fell on and off all evening. Franti had joined us together in his music and that was all that mattered.

An increasingly popular bumper sticker we see lately is one that simply says “Coexist.” So often I think people observe differences in others and judge first. None of us are exempt from that at times. For me, this musical experience was an explicit reminder that we truly are one and we are all seeking the same thing on this journey – Joy & Happiness.

Liane & Steven