Coldplay Moon Music (2024)

My AVC Curse

Abundance

Varieties

Conveniences

I can't remember how it felt back in the day to only have had the option to listen to one artist and that one album in the sequence arranged by the playlist over and over again. I had to find the CD, remove it from its casings and put it into my walkman, plug in my headphones and play, while flipping through the tiny booklet that doubled as the cover. To be conscious of the artists and contents I let into my brain, to really understand each song and its intention. Was the focus of this song about the instruments? Or was it about the meaning behind the lyrics? What was the creative story behind this new song? What happened to this person to have come up with this kind of story? When I didn't have the convenience to have an abundance of varieties at my fingertips, I had the gift of contemplation.

By chance or even could be a gentle guidance from the universe, I chose to listen to the Moon Music album by Coldplay from the top the other day. No interruption, just mindful listening. I was hooked. I felt emotional. I was on the train and I felt like I was floating. It was a very weird but liberating feeling. Then when I came home, I wanted to experience it again so I played on the speaker, turned out Milky loved it too. This was the first time I've seen her smiled so happily to music I put on. We shared a moment and it was beautiful.

Which was why today, as the dark clouds and persistent rain decorated the streets, I made a first attempt to break my curse. I turned off ubereats and took out all the leftover veggies from Milky's food prep to make myself a hearty veggie omelet. I finally cut that one apple that I wanted to share with Milky. I listened to Coldplay's debut album from 2000 "Parachutes." I sang, I nodded and I felt good after I ate. This is what life should be like. I did what I said I yearn to do: I spend more time using my hands to make the important things in my life. I "worked" to provide myself the nutrients I need.

Somehow the modern society has defined "work" as providing services in exchange for money. I felt that I have been sucked into this capitalism movement to serve. This service life is unhealthy because it asks for my wellness in exchange. Inequality is not just recommended but worshipped. I am supposed to stuff my face with addictive mind control candies and be grateful. And to this I say no thank you and goodbye.

Don't get me wrong, I want to help our society and give back when I can. However, I want to be clear that my service is on my own terms and it should not be at the expense of my basic human needs. Luckily for me, my AVC curse isn't permanent. I find that with a whole lot more of mindfulness and association with fellow anti-AVC activists who have written books, made movies or wrote songs about how we can get away, I am confident I am on the right path to break the curse.