As the season is changing, one can notice how the shorter days and cooler temperatures affect behavior. Our clothing changes. We may go inside more often because we are sensitive to cold. Some of us prepare to leave for the winter for a sunnier and warmer place. Some may surrender to seasonal depression and find other coping mechanisms. Our nature in the modern world is to adapt to ensure comfort, sometimes at the expense of our ability to endure and transcend. Further, our coping mechanisms may keep us from looking deeper to the gifts that adversity inevitably brings or weaknesses that it takes away.
More subtle environmental factors can also impact our sense of well being and behavior. Whether or not our home feels like a safe and peaceful atmosphere; if our community setting nourishes or depletes us; if we have access to nature, vital food, and music.
Initially the western mind may conclude that having proper shelter and any kind of food are more important than community and music. However, if we look to much older cultures, whose people groups had to survive on very little, a more holistic paradigm can be observed.
In the motherland, Africa, farm workers can endure long hours in the hot sun, farming dry land with very little food and water because master drummers play for them as they work. Community members sing and clap and take turns wiping the faces and necks of the hot farmers. Movements for pushing the hand-held plows are turned into strong, earth bound dance steps, and celebration dances are done when the harvest has been reaped. There, environmental and governmental adversities are not avoided, but rather they become a source that generates strong community and a bond to music and dance. When the food is prepared fresh each day, the village people often eat from a common plate.
Though we have much to learn in America about the ancient ways, and much work to be done so that our modern adversities can be used to heal our brokenness, one point is very clear. We have access to music and dance and most other artistic and healing expressions from throughout the world. As other people groups have made their way to the states, many have graciously brought with them deep knowledge of the history and culture from their countries.
I have yet to travel to Africa, but I have lived among African people while visiting other countries. I have learned some of the village dances, drum rhythms and songs. My favorite meals were eaten from a common plate and the culture taught me ways to overcome personal adversity.
