Keeping Your Authentic Voice
If Bob Dylan’s still pursuing his own version of authenticity at the age of 85, perhaps we can likewise prioritize being real
Bob Dylan is, and probably will forever be, my favorite musician of all time. I’ve listened to his expansive forty+ album discography practically on an endless loop ever since I was a young teenager. I even went out of my way to learn how to play the guitar and harmonica (simultaneously with the neckstrap and everything) out of admiration for the guy. My favorite track of all time “Like a Rolling Stone”, like many of his other classics, lives rent-free in my brain (welcomely I might add) to this day.
Beyond the music itself, what I love most about Dylan is how authentic he is. He evolves with the times and doesn't allow himself to be labeled or get stuck. For instance, he went from civil rights icon… to rock n’ roll rebel… to country romantic… to Christian fanatic… to gravely-voiced Grammy winner… and now at 85 years old, he hasn't even wrapped up his career yet.
Also, every step of the way, many attempted to label Dylan, hungry to claim him as their personal spokesman. But infamously, Bob has never gone along with any of them. Miraculously, he's made his way through six decades of authentic music-making without succumbing to corporate sellout.
And that's the part that I think is so admirable, and relatable. He never lost what it meant to have a voice.
And in a world in which we are increasingly barraged by nonstop dopamine-inducing content, complete with algorithms hell-bent on relevancy and appeal, it’s more difficult than ever to tease out what is truly our own voice. And at the risk of sounding a bit pessimistic, I'd venture to guess that we are growing comfortably numb with having no voice at all. So we need to focus on retaining our voice more than ever before.
So take a quick second to reflect on what it means to have your own authentic voice. No wrong answer here… What comes to mind? Do you perhaps think about your marriage? Or standing up to your boss? Maybe something you never got to stay to your parents? Did you hold back that angry prayer to God you always wish you said out loud?
Now, the key is in not attaching your sense of identity to some outcome. For instance, if you wanted to have more of an authentic voice in your marriage, then don't do so with the goal of making your spouse like you - because they might, but they very well might not. Instead, speak up with the goal of knowing you're truly expressing yourself without fear.
If Bob Dylan’s still pursuing his own version of authenticity at the age of 85, perhaps we can likewise prioritize being real. Even if it means asking ourselves the hard questions.