Do you know what a quodlibet is?
I didn’t until yesterday when I experienced one.
Melanie DeMore shared her terrific wisdom, grace, skills, humor and teaching with several dozen people on the lawn at a local park yesterday afternoon.
She taught us then led us in a quodlibet.
It’s a layering of song, of building one layer at a time to create a multi layered choir of harmonious and resonant music. I’ll put a link in the comments for an example I found on YouTube.
It struck me today that we’d be wise to treat our lives this way too – like a layer upon layer upon layer, building with self, neighbors, and community.
Factoring in the layers we often discount and neglect, like our planet – stark current examples include the short sighted dangerous actions of Representative Pete Stauber on the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
Factors such as being willing to approach someone and have a respectful conversation when temps are running high – like I also witnessed yesterday. A person on the bridge above the singing event was yelling, repeatedly, trying to seeming disrupt and engage in a negative way. Exercising their freedom of speech, just as the group below was doing.
Two people, then 3 then 4 respectfully approached the yeller, started conversing, and then the situation de-escalated.
We all have the power to be a layer, and we all have the capability to be a layer.
When we build in this way – thoughtfully, intentionally, kindly, with a vision to positive construction of community – then we have meaningful coming together. AND we have a strong resistant and resilient connection with each other.
Like Melanie so wisely stated yesterday, you depend on me and I depend on you. When we have Human connection, we have everything (she stated as much too).
Here, here. Hear, hear.
Thank you mighty Melanie for bringing us together in song.
Thank you https://missoulasings.com/ for your good works.
Keep singing, y’all ~ voices together matter.