We all have to make decisions every single day about what to do. You can’t do everything, so you have to choose this or that. You don’t even think you’re making a decision most of the time. Most of these little decisions are absurdly trivial: wear this pair of pants or that, have this donut or that pastry, start brushing your teeth on the left side or the right.
But some decisions are very important – they affect our happiness. Eat what you like, right? Listen to the music you like, hang out with the people you like.
Other decisions require more thought – which house to buy, who to marry, how to raise your kids. These are not trivial, and don’t generally get made on a whim. You consider carefully when deciding these things.
Then there are decisions you make regarding societal values. Navigating these waters requires some moral fortitude. I’m not saying moralism is absolute – reasonable people can disagree on values, or least their prioritization.
For these types of issues, we have to look within to determine what our core belief systems are. We may have amassed these beliefs from a variety of sources, or a more narrow range of sources. As years go by, I think a lot of people are liable to modify core beliefs, based upon acquired wisdom from years of experience. Others cling steadfast to their initial core beliefs, regardless of what happens around them – they believe they know the way, and won’t let outside forces affect their core belief system.
I choose to distill core beliefs to some very simple principles. When confronted by a moral crossroads, I ask the question – which way leads to love? Which way leads to peace? Taken further, I could ask, which way leads to inclusion, rather than exclusion?
That always guided my thinking on the always fun debate over what bluegrass is, or isn’t. I’ve always been a “big tent” guy – I want to include as many people in the bluegrass tent as possible, believing the entire crowd would benefit from the mix of ideas and opinions.
When I was the board of directors for the CBA, I also felt the organization benefited from a healthy mix of ideas – including and embracing: women in bluegrass, progressive bluegrass and more. It’s an extension of this that makes me proud that the CBA has a float in a parade that celebrates acceptance, diversity and inclusion. I can’t see a downside to this attitude.
