Two Spiritual teachings from Bob Dylan’s talk to MusicCares

Whose opinions matter to you? 

As Dylan said in Up to Me on his Biograph album:

If I’d lived my life by what others were thinkin’, the heart inside me would’ve diedI was just too stubborn to ever be governed by enforced insanitySomeone had to reach for the risin’ star, I guess it was up to me

In his MusicCares Person of the Year acceptance speech, Dylan says that his songs had detractors & supporters.  But when writing a song, he wasn’t thinking about what others thought of his songs. Many of his detractors didn’t understand or like his music.  But “If you have to have somebody’s blessing – you figure it out.”  He didn’t care so much about the opinions of those who wrote “novelty songs [that] weren’t saying anything serious.”  He preferred the blessings of those who wrote songs that “broke my heart;” that “shook the essence of humanity,” that “would never decay and still resound to this day.”

So look inside yourself and determine whether what you’re doing/saying resounds with your own truth.  Take in what others might say, but take more stock in the opinions of those whom you respect.  Life’s not about pleasing everyone.  It’s about being true to yourself.  If you’re seeking someone’s blessing, make sure it’s the blessing of those whose opinion resonates with your truth.

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"Times always change.  They really do.  And you have to always be ready for something that’s coming along and you never expected it.”  Bob Dylan from his 2015 MusicCares Person of the Year Acceptance Speech 

"The Times They Are A-Changin'"

Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.

…

Come mothers and fathers

Throughout the land

And don't criticize

What you can't understand

Your sons and your daughters

Are beyond your command

Your old road is

Rapidly agin'

Please get out of the new one

If you can't lend your hand

For the times they are a-changin'

So find your center, and ground yourself for stability.  But don’t fight change.  Stay true to yourself and “swim” so you don’t “sink like a stone.”  Lend your hand as change presents itself to you.  Be open and receptive for the new and unexpected.