I love it when life synchronizes. I attended another concert over the weekend and during the encore, everyone was standing up, clapping and sheering enthusiastically. But you know how you clap and cheer for an encore because you KNOW it’s going to happen? So you just keep clapping until the performers reappear… That’s what was happening at this concert. The clapping subsided when they sat down to play again. Then John Gorka (one of the artists) said something along the lines of:
“Thank you for clapping until we got back. Usually we’re kind of rushing back out…so, thanks for letting us preserve our dignity”
I was struck by his comment. The idea that people might not have the respect for the artists to at least clap until they returned to the stage was a little surprising. Also, the idea that dignity is contained in the acceptance of that performance was highlighted by the fact that I had chosen Sacredness of Creation as the Carlow Core Value to practice this week.
John Gorka’s quote synthesized Sacredness of Creation and dignity. (What a great way to end the week!) Sacredness of Creation doesn’t just mean being nice to the plants and the animals. Humans are a part of creation (whether it’s God’s or not is up to you) and we have a special place within it. Humans are creators. We build buildings and bridges, but we also create abstract things, like music and art.
Appreciating and respecting the artistic creation of another person lends them dignity. There is sacredness in their creation, and the expression of it should be appreciated. You don’t have to like it, but respect it.
This is a great "alternative" view of what "sacredness of creation" means. I never would have thought of it that way myself. I think this way of looking at it ties in with how in class we all agreed to respect everyone's ideas. People's ideas are just as much a creation or work of art as anything, and they certainly deserve to be treated with dignity.
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