A Playlist For Those Who Just Don’t Know Anymore

Both pop psychology and a bunch of different branches of philosophy postulate that it isn’t really the state of the world that is the biggest problem, but our reaction to it. We may not be able to fix everything (or anything, really), but we can play with various frames of mind, if for no other reason than it might allow us to keep our heads above water. My strategy lately has been to just admit that I don’t know the answers to all these new, enormous questions we’re faced with. In truth, my entire adult life has been a series of realizations about how little I actually know. For me, it’s been liberating, a tremendous relief, and I find it gives me a clean slate going forward. When I admit that I haven’t a clue, I give myself space to talk about things, to explore, to think.

So, I’ve put together a playlist to that effect. It’s about uncertainty, about being in the dark, and maybe a little lost, but it’s also about being okay with all of that. It’s about seeing possibilities on a blank page, and not fearing the sudden emptiness.

Throw your hands in the air, give a couple of healthy shrugs, and wave the white flag on feeling like you need to have it all figured out. You don’t. None of us do, especially at a time like this.

While we try to piece things back together, let’s all sing along, and tap our feet to the unfamiliar rhythms of this life.

·        Bob Dylan, Mixed Up Confusion

·        The Beatles, I Am The Walrus

·        Carrie Newcomer- Learning To Sit With Not Knowing

·        Sam Cooke, What A Wonderful World

·        Avril Lavigne, Complicated

·        Kongos, Hey, I Don’t Know

·        BlackPink, You Never Know

·        U2, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For

·        Jimmy Buffet, I Don’t Know

·        Joni Mitchell, Both Sides Now

·        Foo Fighters, Learn To Fly

·        Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, Shallow