I got one of my most important and memorable life lessons from my mother on Saturday, August 11, 1962, the day "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do," by Neil Sedaka, hit No.1 on the American "Billboard Hot 100." I was 13 years old. I was alone, listening on the radio - as I often did - to the countdown of popular songs in my room at our home in Mount Carmel, Connecticut, USA. I loved that song. I was thrilled that it was Number One in the nation.
After listening to the song all the way through, I rushed downstairs to share my joy. I found my mother in the kitchen. As I recall, she was calmly moving toward my approach - doubtless alerted by the sound of my clomping feet - wiping her hands on a dish towel.
"Screeching" to a halt in front of her, I yelled, "Mom! Mom! My favorite song just hit Number One! That means I have good taste!!"
Looking me in the eye calmly and lovingly, she asked, "It does?"
That's the moment I learned that liking what's popular just means I have average taste. Whether it's good or bad is just an opinion.
I still love that song, and I still love a lot of popular music - and other things and activities that are popular. I like things and activities because I love how they make me feel. But how I choose to fit which things I love into my life - whether and how acting on my love for what I love serves me - is personal, experiential - and important.
