There’s something magical about walking into a concert venue, festival, or convention center, surrounded by hundreds or thousands of people who share your enthusiasm for a particular band, genre, fandom, or hobby. It’s simultaneously genuine and uplifting. The air is electric with excitement, the atmosphere charged with a sense of camaraderie that transcends everyday interactions. For a few hours, you’re part of a collective, united by mutual love for something that brings immense joy. It’s an experience that’s both exhilarating and deeply comforting, with people of all sizes, colors, and orientations uniting over appreciation of a common subject. It feels for a moment that all is good in the world.
The Unifying Power of Music
The spontaneity of connection is always satisfyingly fulfilling. Strangers become fast friends for a moment in time, as you strike up conversations about favorite albums, band member rotations, past concerts, and the anticipation of what’s to come. People from all walks of life discover we are more alike than different. The only classification we have is “fans”.
There’s a pure, unfiltered joy in these interactions. No one is worried about appearances or judgments; we’re all there to enjoy the music and the experience, that’s it. All that matters is the music and the reciprocal shared energy between the band and the crowd.
When the introductory notes of favorite hit songs are played, the rise in energy of the crowd is palpable as the entire area erupts as one voice, cheering and yelling for the band. Everyone knows the words, and being part of that voice singing the songs back to the band is one of my favorite parts of going to a concert. Thousands of people unified in one single-yell-singing voice makes the hair on the back of my next stand up.
Conventions: A Gathering of Kindred Spirits
Conventions also have the same energy, whether they’re dedicated to anime, sci-fi, gaming, or any other niche interest, they too bring a similar sense of belonging. Upon entering a convention center, you’re immediately immersed in a world where everyone understands and shares your passion. The level of enthusiasm is infectious. Everywhere you look, there are people dressed in elaborate costumes, booths brimming with merchandise, and panels featuring favorite creators and performers. The fact that strangers are happy to talk to you and your kid about their costumes or favorite characters is so wholesome and heartwarming.
Therein too, the joy of conventions lies not just in the content but in the spontaneous connections made while in attendance. Conversations flow effortlessly as the latest plot twist in a beloved series are discussed, tips on crafting the perfect cosplay are shared, or the merits of different game strategies are debated. It’s a space where you can be unabashedly enthusiastic, where your knowledge and passion are met with equal appreciation rather than indifference. Because everyone present loves it too!It’s one single community and everyone present belongs.
The Fellowship of Shared Joy
One of the most delightful aspects of these events is the sense of camaraderie that develops so naturally. There’s a unique bond that forms when you’re part of a crowd singing along to the same song or cheering for a beloved character during a panel discussion. These shared experiences create a temporary community where everyone feels seen and understood.
At its essence, it’s a powerful reminder of our shared humanity. It is a moment of unity, where differences in age, background, and lifestyle fade away, leaving only the collective joy of the crowd. The shared excitement generates a palpable sense of connection as if everyone is part of a giant, genuine, joyful, loving, extended family.
I always find myself wondering, why can’t everyday life be like this?
Unfortunately, such genuine, pure, and wholesome connections are often confined to these special events. In everyday life, people are fearful and guarded, their interactions colored by social norms, what they’re told to think, fear, who to hate, and the busyness of daily routines. Imagine if we approached our daily interactions with the same openness and enthusiasm we bring to concerts and conventions. How much richer would our lives be if we could find common ground with strangers, celebrating our shared experiences and interests?
What if we could strike up conversations with the person next to us at the supermarket checkout line as easily as we do with fellow fans at a concert? What if we could dance with strangers at a community event with the same abandon we show at a music festival? The barriers we put up in everyday life often prevent us from experiencing the joy of genuine human connection. Often shared hatred and division are touted as “belonging to a community.” Newsflash – bonding with a bunch of people who look like you over shared entitlement, hate, and division is NOT community. I believe that falls under “egoic trauma bonding.”
Yet, inclusive events like concerts and conventions and similar events based on pure passion for the subject or band, show us that it is possible to break down these barriers and find common ground through shared love and genuine enjoyment of participation.
Embracing Shared Enjoyment in Everyday Life
As I progress into the second half of my life, I have decided to approach every day and person in this way. I talk to people all day long in my day job in property management, and I now approach every conversation like they are already someone I would have something awesome in common with. And when you think about it, I do. At its very soft gooey melty center, what we have in common, is that we are alive at the same point in time and I can bestow a small dose of light on them, which in turn (hopefully) makes them bestow a small gift of light onto someone else in their day and so on, and so on. I think the most effective way to change the world and empower people is to start right where we are. Approaching every day with the attitude that I’m heading to the best concert or convention makes a difference to my day. At first I thought it was a coincidence, but I soon realized it’s true folks, every person you meet is your mirror, and if you expect someone to be interesting, they generally are.
We are all participating in this game of life, and sure we all have different strategies, attitudes, and opinions. With one person’s experiences being vastly different from another’s, but that doesn’t stop me from smiling at the person next to me in line at the coffee shop. Complimenting someone’s outfit or generally doing my best to spread a bit of light and joy in my day-to-day life. Not everyone is reciprocal and that’s ok, I’ve reached a point in life where it doesn’t bother me. As a fellow being walking the earth in the same time period as millions of others, I feel better for at least trying. I have the crazy idea that by being gracious and being open to connections, we can foster a sense of community that enriches our lives. And it’s going pretty well, most people are reciprocal, they are friendly and funny and we often help each other out in unexpected ways.
I imagine a world where people bond over shared interests more freely, where the enthusiasm and camaraderie of concerts and conventions spills over into our everyday interactions. It’s a world where kindness and understanding are the norms, and where people feel more connected and less isolated. We have the power to create this world, one small interaction at a time.
The Takeaway
Organized gatherings based on a shared passion offer a glimpse into the best parts of human connection and unguarded enthusiasm, and with it, a sense of belonging. While these events are special, the spirit of camaraderie they inspire doesn’t have to be confined to them. By bringing a bit of that openness and joy into our everyday lives, we can build a more connected, compassionate world.
I think a lot of people have forgotten the beauty of random shared human connection. So, strike up an unexpected conversation, connect with someone for 2 minutes, share your enthusiasm, and celebrate the joy of participating in this life together.
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