I was laying on my living room floor with my dog this morning, still basking in the glow of Bon Jovi’s pre-tour concert at Mohegan Sun Wednesday night, when it hit me. Could Bon Jovi bring about world peace?
The Today show had just ended, having told more stories about all of the changes, unrest, and uncertainty running rampant though the country. One example after another about the divisions between people’s views on politics, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, and on and on.
It doesn’t matter what side anyone is on, who is “right”, or whose voice is the loudest – everyone is experiencing the same turbulent times. And no one is in a comfort zone when it comes to existing in conflict.
Even social media, conceptualized as a means of linking people, has caused rifts as friends un-friend friends and people leave facebook and twitter as a way of escaping the constant barrage of strong opinions and negativity.
It seems more and more that gatherings of people tend to either be protests or events being protested. Even casual get-togethers can end in chaos, as small talk inevitably circles around to include some hot-button topic, since almost everything seems to be a hot-button topic for someone these days.
But just when you start to think there is no turning back from the current state of interpersonal interactions, if you’re lucky, you experience a moment that reminds you that positive connections still exist.
Every generation has it’s voice. A voice that calms you when you’re afraid, encourages you when you’re down, and connects you when you’re feeling alone. A voice whose words continue to ring in your head well after the initial vibration of the utterance has long since passed. For some it’s Ghandi. For some JFK. For others it may be Emerson or Frost. Even Ellen or Jimmy. For me, that voice has always been Jon Bon Jovi.
Going to a Bon Jovi show can be like waking up in a utopian dream, as people from diverse genders, ages, cultures, religions and beliefs come together for a common goal, with a common interest, and a common love. For many of us it’s like stepping into church where your spirit is lifted and your soul becomes energized at it’s very core.
He’s “(our) fighter, (our) poet, and (our) preacher”.
He knows that “sometimes it’s hard for you to see” because “you’re caught between just who you are and who you wanna be”. Helping us remember that “everyone’s a miracle in their own way” so “just listen to yourself, not what other people say”.
He’s our Superman who affirms “we’ve got to hold on, ready or not”, and that “it doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not” because “we’ve got each other, and that’s a lot”. If we start to lose our confidence, he’s right there pushing us because “we’re half way there” and if we “just take (his) hand, we’ll make it, (he) swears”.
He’s the wisdom who cautions us that “life is a roller coaster”, so “don’t look down and don’t look back”, and that “time flies by so don’t close your eyes”.
He’s our pep talk that “when the world keeps trying to drag (you) down, (you’ve) got to raise your hands and stand your ground”. Oh, and “when the world gets in (your) face”? Just say “have a nice day”.
And that, in the end, despite how messy life can get, be proud that “this mess is (yours)”.
He inspires us that “its (your) life” and “it’s now or never” because (you) ain’t gonna live forever” so you just better “live while (you’re) alive”. Encourages us that we “better stand tall – don’t bend, don’t break, and don’t back down”.
And he empowers us that “when it’s time to face the fight, with just (your) shadow at (your) side” that you are an “army of one”.
He reminds us we can be anything and do anything. We believe him. And it helps. “Always”. You’ve just got to “keep the faith”.
You could talk about the man who began his Soul Foundation after seeing a need to help people struggling in his community and found ways to bring neighbors together to help one another. You could talk about the man who models loyalty in his long marriage to one woman and long history with one band. Or you could talk about the man who always seems to find a way to put into melodic words exactly what you needed to hear at certain times in your life.
Because no matter who you are, his words feel like they could be your words. And they become your own words. About your own life. Your personal battle cry.
What was amazing to me was that here was a large gathering of people – talking. No one focused on the things that make us different. No one pointing a finger at topics we might not agree on. And no one judging, or excluding, based on surface impressions.
Instead, a group of strangers came together and spent hours getting to know one another while waiting for a Bon Jovi show. People shared stories about their first concerts, songs they hoped to hear, and future show plans (because you can never go to just one Bon Jovi concert).
And as people connected over this shared love of Bon Jovi, we began to see each other as more the same than different. Before long, people began sharing personal life stories – where they were from and anecdotes about their families. And by the time the show started, you were no longer standing in a sea of strangers, but “making a memory” with new friends.
The even more amazing part is that this is how all Bon Jovi concerts are.
Maybe the country should try piping in Bon Jovi music any time there is a coming-together of people with opposing views. First they would sing the songs silently in their own heads. (Because how could you not….. it’s Bon Jovi!) Then they would rock back and forth to the beat. Soon they are breathing out the tension and smiling. Then smiling at each other. Then singing out loud. And then singing together.
Maybe it could be spread over every continent, like poppies floating down on Oz. It would be pretty much near impossible not to transform into zen-mode if Bon Jovi music was woven into the air we all breathe. Together we would be Team Earth, and Bon Jovi songs would be our national anthem. (Of course we wouldn’t want to limit ourselves to just one, since it would be nice to have the option of choosing from the catalog based on what was needed in any given situation.)
Fade into scene where we’d all join hands, swaying back and forth as one, singing our favorite Bon Jovi song….. with a Dr. Seuss narrator telling the rhyming story of how we finally all came together and lived peacefully ever after.