Praising someone

I haven't posted about gospel music message boards in quite some time...mostly because the last time I did, certain people from one such community intent on finding fault with what I said decided to take certain thoughts I expressed and words I used and make them weapons to beat me down with. It would sure be nice if such people read what I actually said instead of what they were AFRAID I'd said. But in today's world, sadly, interpretation and misunderstanding come before actual attentiveness and understanding.

But I had to mention one very positive development on the community I've been with the longest, the Southern Gospel News message boards.

There is a current thread there entitled "Praise Someone". The stated purpose of the thread is to think of something positive in the world of gospel music and call attention to it. It can be an artist one thinks deserves special attention, a trend that one hopes will become a tradition, or someone else in the community deserving of special commendation. This is a welcome change from all the complaining and sniping that is all too common even on gospel music message boards.

And yes, I have posted to it...so I'm not just speaking from an idle observer's perspective.

The cumulative effect of such an exercise helps one's attitude...the effort involved in finding something positive to say about someone helps develop that state of mind. And that can be helpful when one needs to deal with those who are more difficult to say positive things about.

If you really think about it, you can find positive things to say about just about anyone in the world. And the more practice you get in looking for those positive things, the easier it is to find them in time. And that is not only helpful when it comes to those you dislike, it makes it easier to find things in those you like that are praiseworthy. This is a good thing...because every step you take to make your outlook more positive makes you a better and happier person, IMHO.

And if we truly love gospel music and the people in it(or those involved with it to any extent), shouldn't it be easy to find good things to say about them?

The thread isn't getting a wide sample of participation yet...but I'm hopeful it will. Surely we can think of a FEW things we like or are happy about in gospel music, can't we?

I know...there are those of us who think that gospel artists' sound systems are too loud...or that EHSSQ should get rid of those hairstyles and ties and stop ambling all over the stage in concert, And we certainly can't be happy with all the backing tracks and the vocal stacks some artists use in concert, can we? And too many artists these days are making any kind of music BUT southern-style gospel under the SG banner...aren't they?

But let's just take a different mindset into all those things...and look at the other side of the coin, OK?

It's a good thing that gospel artists have the finest sound systems available to present their music to their fans. And it's also a good thing that EHSSQ revive a lot of great older gospel music, and update it for newer, younger fans without compromising the original musical and spiritual integrity of it.

And the backing tracks make it possible for artists otherwise unable to reproduce the sounds of songs they sing that entertain and bless a lot of people, so that they're not cheated in concert appearances. And sometimes the vocal stacks make a group sound fuller and more pleasing to their audiences. And finally, it's nice to have a variety of styles to choose from...so that everyone's musical tastes can be satisfied without having to go outside the genre to find music to listen to.

See? It can be done...and it doesn't hurt, does it?:-)

And it's the same sorts of things I can do with my days...I can look at the clouds and the gray, or I can choose to be thankful for the sunshine, even the sunshine I don't see directly or at first glance.

Oh, OK...I admit I still have definite preferences in my gospel music...and I may never learn to like those examples outside my basic preferences.

But there's no law saying I have to put it down, or worse, ridicule those who don't share my preferences.

And there IS only one way to heaven...but musically, there are plenty of styles and people that can help motivate someone to get there.

So why not stop and praise someone, and take time to appreciate what they bring to the table?

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