blog zone

> 2025-07-14 - Art & Hope

Even though the world may be frightening, we must never close our hearts.

CREATIVITY CORNER

I'm removing solid expectations of a release schedule from my process. I'm making music because I enjoy it, not because I plan to make more than a few dollars off of it.

I released a few tracks from love letters, vol.2 on YouTube ("grandma's theme" and "margaritaville" so far!). I figured it's not worth the licensing fee to get them onto the other streaming platforms - though if they should get enough engagement, I might reconsider on a per-release basis.

In other news - a family member 3D-printed a violin and gave me one of the prototypes! It sounds hollow compared to a rich, wooden violin - but I love having both options. I look forward to recording samples from each and either layering them or have them play a duet!

Overall, I'm trying to focus more on the love of the art more than try to curate it to anyone in particular. Still - if someone out there enjoys it, let me know?

THE IMPORTANCE OF POSITIVE REGARD

This past year, I've been learning a lot about breaking cycles in my conceptualization of self in regard to others, and I've been surprised by its positive impact on my relationships.

People tend to project their own narratives onto people without thinking too hard about it - it's a kind of heuristic that has plenty of use. When we do this, we behave in accordance with the role we play in that narrative. In turn, these projections can encourage the other person to behave in accordance with the projected narrative.

For example - say that I'm a skilled and capable person, but I'm constantly apologizing for minor or non-mistakes. Despite the integrity of my work, I've now invited people to scrutinize me at a deeper level. Suddenly, I'm being nitpicked about items of no consequence. Now, all of the nitpicking makes me think I'm not so capable - and as the anxiety gets to me, my work begins to suffer.

This also happens when people enter conversation about politically-charged topics. Regardless of right or wrong, we tend to project and activate each others' defense mechanisms, and subsequently a very familiar script plays out. These cycles are breakable, too.

Being willing to see the best version of someone in front of you has the power to open doors. When people feel scrutinize, their walls go up. But if you're willing to see the person behind the behavior - a caring parent, a hard worker, etc - you can invite the best version of them to come out and play together.

IN CONCLUSION

I encourage everyone to try and find beauty where nobody else will - it might give us the hope we need to keep on.

Take care, and bye for now! (^o^)/

~Sonority