The Coldplay Effect and Connectivity

Source: Atalanta Beaumont

Ten days ago I went to see Coldplay at Wembley which was awesome but not solely because of the music or the fantastic time the band gave us.  I was mostly struck by the band’s attitude which was demonstrated by Chris Martin, their lead singer and spokesman.

It was a superb performance, like one giant birthday party, complete with balloons and fireworks and free wrist bands which glowed different colours in the dark depending on which song they were singing.  But, for me, the most moving thing of all, apart from their rendition of “Fix you”, was Chris Martin’s address to the crowd.

He thanked us for coming.  He said he knew it was a hassle after work, getting on the tube, finding parking and whatever but he and the band really appreciated us turning up to hear him.  And you knew that they did. Then he thanked his band.  Incidentally they are one of the few bands that divide up their profits equally.  There’s a reason for this.  Chris Martin recognises that he doesn’t exist without them.  He said as much.  He understands the interdependence on others’ which allows him to be the superb songsmith and musician that he is.  He gets his (and others’) interconnectedness.  Hence his round of thanks to us, his band, the roadies and lighting technicians and to Wembley.  He gets it: none of us can be our most fulfilled selves until we recognise the role that others’ play in our lives and give them credit.  From the man who collects your rubbish, to the girl that serves your coffee, to the person who drives your train…we are all a connected chain of people if we want to embrace and be part of humanity.

Recognise this, welcome it and start to appreciate your fellow man.  Your life will be enhanced.  You are likely to be happier.  There are many studies to support connectedness as essential for humans to thrive and studies that prove altruism is good for our health.  Recognise the needs, desires and talents of others and you will find your own.  You will create a positive circle of success which will feed on itself.  Chuck out comparisons, I can’t remember who says it but “comparisons are odious”.  They do nothing for us. Just because someone is different, thinks differently from you, looks different from you or wants different things it does not make them lesser or greater – they just are.  The same way you just “are”.  Accept yourself as wonderful and uniquely commonplace – exactly like every other human on the planet – and enjoy!

And if you are not part of humanity, you are lost.  To quote the metaphysical poet, John Donne “No man is an Island, entire unto himself”.  We cannot exist and be our best selves without others.  We are all valuable humans, we all want the same things, safety, health, success, appreciation – there is no “them and us”, just “us”.  We in the West tend to celebrate our uniqueness but I would say this – we are all uniquely the same: human.

from Psychology Today - Relationships http://ift.tt/28SdM0Y
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