The Beatles' Prescription for our Times
It’s nearly showtime and I’m really not ready. Hastily, I toss on a semi-cute outfit, tune my guitar and strap it on. I grab some cheat sheets (with chords and lyrics) from those scattered across the dining room table, in an attempt to make some semblance of a playlist. Then I step out onto my front porch for my weekly concert.
There’s no dry ice and no amplification. And I’m certainly no rock star. It’s just an informal gig that my daughters and I initiated shortly after the shelter-in-place orders were given. Every Sunday at noon (or noon-ish), the concert begins. The kind of music played is rather unpredictable, to be honest. It’s always an eclectic mix, as we try to appeal to all ages: from oldies like “I’m a believer” and “La Bamba” to pop hits like “Shallow” and “Baby Shark.”
Errant chords are struck and flat notes are sung but, to be honest, it doesn’t seem to deter the enthusiasm of the crowd or the performers. We began this tradition of a weekly porch concert in an effort to lift the spirits of our neighbors in the adjoining rowhouses. What happened next exceeded our expectations.
To our surprise, the neighbors started to sing with us. And make requests. (“Country Roads” is the favorite of the four-year-old across the street.) Strangers, who heard us as they passed by one week, deliberately showed up the next. Some neighbors began adding their own instrumentation, bringing a harmonica and rhythm guitar to the mix. It all resulted in a lot of laughter and smiles, as we made music together and chatted, post-set.
I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised at the positive impact it all made. Singing has a sort of transformative power. It has always been a source of strength for those in difficulty over the course of history. And a dynamic catalyst for bringing people together. Courage. Unity. Sounds like just what we need these days, too.
The week we performed an “all Beatles” set, it really clicked: the Beatles have just the prescription we need for this stretch of 2020. How so? Take a look at these song titles. There’s something in each one that we can take for our hurting hearts.
Yesterday — Admit where you’re at. Maybe all of your troubles seemed so far away because they actually were so far away. Today, we are in the midst of a serious health and economic crisis. It’s not pessimistic to see things as they are. That’s reality. Ask questions (as McCartney does in the song), face it and feel it.
Help! — Find a friend to connect with. The phrases we hear on the radio such as “We’re all in this together” can often sound like some kind of Orwellian propaganda. But the truth is, we were made for community. It’s important to know that we’re not in this alone. Cry out or simply pick up the phone and let a friend know how you’re feeling. Open up the door to connect.
We Can Work It Out — Keep short accounts. Okay, so someone ate the last bit of salami in the fridge or neglected to wash the dishes last night. Don’t hold onto a grudge. The last thing we need right now is friction on the home front. Life is very short. So, talk it out. And buy more salami next time.
Let it Be — Breathe. Release the things you can’t change. We are in times of trouble and desperately need these words of wisdom. Heightened anxiety leads to tension and division, both at home (see previous bullet point) and out in the world. Breathe in calm, exhale peace.
Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da, Life Goes On — Build resiliency. Imagine a bird flying above the surface of the ocean, unscathed, blissful, despite an impending storm above and threats below. To meet today’s challenges, you need to cultivate strength and flexibility — physically and spiritually. Move your body. Walk. Dance. Play. Calm the spirit. Meditate. Breathe. Pray. In this way, you can learn to bring your best self to your home sweet home, or the market place.
I Wanna Hold Your Hand — Touch those you can. It really does make you happy inside.
All You Need is Love — Love is a verb. And it can be implemented whatever the circumstances. Step out of self-absorption and be proactive by caring for those around you. Take a meal to a neighbor. Write a note. Serenade your neighbors from your porch. It’s easy.
The Beatles’ concerts often moved fans to tears (and even ecstatic screaming). If we listen closely, perhaps their prescription of love and connection can lift our hearts today, too. And it’s quite likely they’ll help us Come Together just a bit more right now, as well.
***
This article first appeared on Medium. Hilda Labrada Gore is a biohacker, certified health coach, and fitness professional. She is the host and producer of the Wise Traditions podcast and Tradiciones Sabias podcasts, on behalf of the Weston A. Price Foundation. She is a podcast coach, too, and the author of “Podcasting Made Simple.” She is a YouTuber, helping people live their best lives through experts, experiences, and epic adventures. Hilda has energy to spare thanks to her ancestral health practices and her love for sunshine and liverwurst.