Timely Advice from Broadway

 Sometimes a song comes around that makes you have various thoughts.  One song that has done that lately is "Disappear" from Dear Evan Hassen.   Like going to the movies, I get to Broadway shows even less, so the only parts I've heard are during the Tony Awards and on XM Broadway radio.  The song is about keeping a young person's memory alive after they commit suicide.  

"Disappear"

As I have heard this song a few times now, it stirs a lot of different thoughts; here are a few:

• During the pandemic, there has been a mental health crisis, especially with young people, being our of school, and with the elderly, being secluded from their families.  People are dying from depression and loneliness.  We need to reach out to these populations and make sure that they know they are loved and that they DO matter.  We are all in this together and "no one deserves to be forgotten."  
• We are in an interesting time.  Social media has made all of out thoughts and comments last for an eternity.  I can say something now, and in a few years, if the opinion is not popular, and even if I don't believe it any longer and have evolved in my thinking, someone can come along and demand I be "Canceled."  This is so dangerous.  We are all sinners, we make mistakes.  In this "Cancel Culture" people appear to be guilty before proven innocent, and are loosing their jobs and livelihood before they can even have a chance to explain themselves, because an employer must distance themselves from a "toxic" person.  Now, I am not saying that what the person did was right, or that people shouldn't be punished for doing wrong, but "let the punishment fit the crime"; do not demand someone should be canceled, especially if you do no know all of the information (I am speaking to everyone here, not just one side of the political aisle).  Let's have discussion and healthy debate instead of not demanding a person be silenced.  People matter and people grow.  If people looked back at my life, I'm sure I have put my foot in my mouth a few times (this is still a weekly occurrence), but I have grown and matured, and when I realize I'm wrong, I say am wrong.  I humble myself and apologize to those involved.  No one should have to be judged by all of society for mistakes.  Don't dismiss people because of a disagreement.  Let people apologize and be able to grow.  Be willing to admit your wrong and grow.  It's how we all become a better society. 
• This week I watched someone in the last hours of their life.  HIPPA prevents me from saying much, but they were probably felt so alone as they laid there; feeling so tired from just breathing.  This pandemic is real, yes a lot of people survive, and that's amazing, but people are dying alone because family can not be close.  "No one deserves to be alone."  Keep following protocols.  Protect yourself and those around you, this sickness can take out families because of the way it is spread.  Thank those who are working in the healthcare facilities.  They have seen too much death and have watched too many die alone.  Numbers are improving and someday this will hopefully be a memory.  Keep hope alive, pray for an end to this and keep each other safe.

Like I said, some songs just make you think of a lot of different things and writing them down is a way that I process what I am thinking.  Hopefully you can find the message in this song and be inspired.