Entry #2 | Celebrate Life

There was a benefit concert this past Friday and it has had me struggling with a few things. First off, I don't tend to discuss too many personal things. My mind usually races faster than my fingers can type and then there is the issue of providing enough words to explain accurately so that I do not feel misunderstood when a person, or people, reply back to me. Another issue I have is trying to reconcile how a person can discuss something that means so much personally in a concise professional manner, such as for this blog. I don't know that I have those answers today, but I am going to try because there are not that many things that move me in such a way.


The benefit concert on Friday...yes, that is what I wanted to start with so that I might be able to elaborate on some of the positive social good that has, and will continue to, come out of it. For those that are not aware, Linkin Park lost their lead singer in July to what has been declared a suicide. That is heavy, no doubt about it. Maybe a bit abrupt for some too but that is how it is today. I don't know that I have to words to convey how much Chester and the band made things tolerable in my life, and many other peoples lives, over the years...his scream of seemingly infinite varieties that resonated within the spirit and soul...which conveyed that sense of someone else out there going through something similar and being able to focus that frustration, hopelessness and countless other emotions into something so pure and positive. Chester, Mike and the rest of the group gave, and continue to give, voice to so much that is just not discussed in society.


Focus they have though, in more than just their music. Linkin Park (LP) founded the non-profit music for relief in 2005 in response to the Indian Ocean tsunami for the people affected by this natural disaster. This was only the start as their non-profit has consistently provided aid to people all over the world in the wake of natural disasters. This has been an effort not solely restricted to finances, the members of the group have repeatedly invested their own time in some of these disasters as well as matching fund donations on some occasions. LP came up with new ways to acquire donations via music for relief, from donating unreleased songs to people who donated money to benefit concerts that brought in multiple bands, groups and people to support their cause.


So once again, in the wake of this tragedy, LP and friends stepped it up again with a new Celebrate Life concert that occurred this past Friday. A new fund has been created, the One More Light Fund in Memory of Chester Bennington, within music for relief . "This fund will support Chester's favorite Music for Relief program: Solar Suitcases - solar electricity kits - for remote health clinics without electricity. The fund will also shine a light on mental health, helping individuals and families coping with mental and emotional struggles."


The concert was held at the Hollywood Bowl in California. LP, in coordination with many other business entities, I am sure, had the concert live streamed on YouTube and the recording can be located on YouTube also. It is also linked on the LP website at the time of this post. A fair warning though if you have not watched it yet, you may need some tissues and some privacy...the "missing-man" musical set was too much for me. In my opinion it was a great show and I for one appreciate all the thought and effort put into what they organized for the fans around the world.


Thanks for reading today...and it seems like a good time to say that some days it is good to turn up the volume, close your eyes and feel what they are saying...because they say it so well.