This story of Bohemian Rhapsody follows the birth of Queen, centering on Freddy Mercury. The movie is filled with all the wonderfully epic and moving music from the Queen library of songs played at times that really put me in tune with what, I believe, was the inspiration behind them in the first place. I always found Queen's music worthy of appreciation and celebration, but I never really had a true understanding about what might have gone into them. Freddy Mercury's life was full of struggles, being driven out of his birth country, having to conform to another country, and then being met with criticism and disdain as his personal habits were revealed to the public eye. I have not had led such a dramatic life as Freddy, but underneath all of his desperation to perform and to be accepted, truly a marvel to behold, like me and everyone else we are all trying our best day to day to find peace and happiness. We are all dealing with our fears that keep us from that time when we truly witness peace, love, harmony, and happiness. For Freddy it was the performances, when he was able to connect with those around him through the flow of the music. Music and drama is a very powerful means of connecting our emotions to those around us, it allows us to share moments only possible when hearts, bodies, and minds are aligned in admiration, awe, and wonder. What is it that you do to bring yourself into these feelings that truly make life worth living?
I was also made aware of the tragic circumstances of Freddy Mercury's death that resulted from the AIDS viruses which destroys the defenses of the body against illness. I could say that the result was the over indulgence of a certain lifestyle, if it were a year or two ago, but now I see something more. Freddy's life is not just his own, like his music connected many people in celebration of the human experience, his life was connected and is connected to our own through that human experience that we share, through food, the earth, water, wind, DNA, societies, civilizations, cultures, space, emotion, love, pain, pleasure, sadness, fear, etc. There are so many things that we share and continue to share whether or not we are still in the flesh or not, Freddy's contributions to Queen are evidence of that that! He is still alive during sports game, theatrical performances, movies, commercials, private parties, late night study sessions, inspiration before a big day at work, etc.
A big take away for me from being a witness to this amazing retelling of the Queen and Freddy Mercury story was that being afraid of who you are only brings tragedy. Freddy's lifestyle choices, the one's that had a part in contributing to his premature death, I believe were the result of his own fear, fear of being with himself. At the end, when he finally accepted the circumstances of his life that might not be fair or comfortable, then he finally was able to share his gift fully, forgive himself, and show love to those around him. This is how I believe the movie went. I invite you to watch Bohemian Rhapsody, and see what it tells you! “Thank You Bohemian Rhapsody!” Thank you, my dear friend! May peace, love, and joy always be with you! May you find the courage to be yourself and shine your light proudly! Love, Aaron :-)