Dear Neighbor,

Music is called the common language worldwide. As a retired music educator and professional musician, I have met and performed with a variety of musicians. As musicians, we are constantly practicing to “keep our chops up” and to improve our technical skills. We critique our level of performance and are eager to receive feedback from fellow musicians, both the “good” and “do better” comments. We all have had great teachers and mentors who offered us positive support and boosted our ego.

We have labels in music. There are beginners, amateurs and professionals. There are many acknowledged categories in the music world. The list includes classical, jazz, blues, country, hip-hop, rock n’ roll, rap, big band and so on. How we choose our musical preference may be based on our age, where we live, life experiences and other influences. Genre styles may divide us but they don’t stop the music or musicians from evolving.

Take a moment and look beyond music and how we may choose to live daily. As we develop relationships with other individuals, we often look for people who have the same career path or those who share a similar life. Does their “label” fit our “label” through common community, church, age, gender, race or nationality?

Too often, we label people before we even know them. Relationship building is key as we develop and grow into adulthood. As adults we often feel the need to protect our children from making poor choices, whether it be friends or others whom they associate with. Yet our labels and actions as adults may have a direct and negative influence on our youth. We can be guilty of labeling others based on perception rather than personal experience.

Just like music, people differ. Take the time to look beyond labels and foster relationships with a variety of individuals. No harm in trying; it may surprise you who you meet and the music you might make!

“Dear Neighbor” authors are united in a belief that civility and passion can coexist. We believe curiosity and conversation make us a better community.