A couple of weeks ago, I was reading about the incredible frenzy at a Taylor Swift concert for "Swiftie" merchandise and paraphernalia.  It's mind boggling.  People camping overnight to be the first in line for the latest sweatshirt, people getting into fights over who is next in line, and long, long lines that sometimes result in nothing, and more.

    Taylor Swift definitely has a grip on her fans' loyalties.  On the other hand, so do most other extremely popular musical bands.  I mention these vignettes simply to invite us to consider how we prioritize our fealties.  In this age, at least in the West, we have an astonishing array of choices on how we spend our money and time.  How do we decide?

    It's not easy.  There's nothing wrong with having affections, there's nothing wrong with liking a particular type of music.  We're only human.

    We would not be pursuing what some might call trivialities otherwise.  And therein is the rub.  We may laugh at the "Swifties," we may deem their obsession foolhardy, even dangerous, but we cannot escape that we would not be human without them.

    We're all bent by who we are.