SULTIMZHAMSO
Your connection with music
I have a personal connection to music through my mother, who sings traditional Buryat songs beautifully. These songs have always been an important part of my life. They are more than just music; they represent our culture, history, and family traditions.
“Nayan Navaa” is a traditional Buryat song that speaks about the beauty of nature, family values, and a deep connection to the homeland. It conveys a sense of warmth and respect for traditions passed down through generations.
Growing up, I would often listen to my mother sing at family gatherings or during quiet evenings at home. Her voice carried not just melody but also the emotions and stories of our people, making music a meaningful and comforting presence in my life.
A golden cage
Milad’s final statement about the golden cage is a metaphor reflecting his emotional conflict. Although he has found success, recognition, and a relatively secure life in the U.S., he still feels trapped by the limitations of his circumstances.
The “golden cage” represents his current life, which may appear privileged and desirable from the outside, but it is still a form of confinement because he cannot return home to reunite with his family or relive the past he cherishes.
The “bird” symbolizes his longing for freedom – freedom to go back to his roots and heal the emotional wounds of displacement. Despite the opportunities around him, the absence of home and loved ones leaves him feeling restricted.
“No matter how blessed human beings are, they will always ask for more.”
I totally agree with this statement. If it was not true, the human civilization would not develop at all. For me this expression means a desire to get more than you have at the moment. I am not just talking about some assets or property, or some other material things, but in general. The goals may be different, but the idea of having more is the same.
Let’s have a look on the education for example. Why do the majority of teenagers want to go to a college after school? They are blessed with the education already.
A couple of centuries ago, most of the people at their age were not able to either read, or write. But still the school graduates want more.
Having graduated from a college, they step into a new level and still many students want to for the next level – for a Master’s degree or Ph.D. degree or even further. The similarity may be said for musicians. Once a band played in a café, they want to play in a club, and then on a small stage, yet many of them dream of a performance on the big Stadium, don’t they?
There may be many more examples.
The motives of asking for more may be different, though the overall striving for having more seems to be similar. If there are no requests for more, there will be no progress. That being said, I agree with Abraham Maslow, and his hierarchy of needs
If you were to buy a golden cage for a bird, it might be a really beautiful cage, but it is still a cage. The cage always refers to the restrictions no matter how wonderful this cage is. Once you put a wild animal into a cage, the living being starts to suffer no matter how well you are taking care of it.
A true composer will not be happy to create the songs for TV ads, even though he is paid well for this job. A true painter, who desires to create masterpieces, will not be happy to draw the visitors’ portraits at the carnival.
And as it happens from time to time, I simply could not pass by such a touching matter, and wrote this poem:
It is a torture to lock your senses
It is offensive to block your mind
It’s not a life when you are fenced
A golden leash is still a bind
Free natures are deserving freedom
And even if the cage is nice
There is another pretty wisdom
Your soul should not sacrifice.
Your connection with music
I’ve been connected to music since I was a child. My mom always sings while cooking or doing chores. I grew up listening to flamenco music at home when I lived with my parents. However, I started discovering other rhythms and styles when I went to college. Now, I’m excited to understand some lyrics when I listen to English music. Unfortunately, my memory is getting rusty, and I struggle to memorize any lyrics.
About Milad’s “I realized that no matter how blessed human beings are, they will always ask for more.”
In my country, we have a similar saying: The more you have, the more you want.
This phrase can have both a positive and a negative meaning.
It’s positive when it refers to being ambitious and constantly pursuing new challenges. It means you never give up, keep going, and continue learning.
However, it can also have a negative side when it describes someone who is obsessive and never satisfied. It’s important to be grateful and remember that there are always people in worse circumstances than ours.
Your connection with music
For me, music is the way to relax, and it can touch the deepest feelings inside me unlike words. I don’t have a favorite genre in music, I just listen to some composition and if it touches me, I add it to my playlist.
As for playing musical instruments, I’m still interested in it. In my childhood I wanted to learn to play the piano, but my mom assumed that this ability is less important than studying, and the thought about bringing and placing huge and heavy instrument made her frightened. However, when I became a parent, I enrolled my daughter in the music school in piano class. It seems like I was fulfilling my dreams as a child, maybe, but she is a curious person and enjoyed it as well. We bought a piano for her learning and I also started trying to learn using YouTube. So, when I was able to play the first composition, it was “Yesterday” by Beatles, I felt delight and pride.
A golden cage
If you were to buy a golden cage for a bird, it might be a really beautiful cage, but it is still a cage.
This is a powerful metaphor where “a golden cage” means wealthy and comfortable conditions for person but this environment can’t replace freedom and human will. Sometimes you have to sacrifice your principles, beliefs, even freedom to achieve success, wealth or what you want. However, can this bring you happiness? Everyone faces this question at some point in life and the answer depends on our willingness to sacrifice what and what measure.
We might have to work long hours, move to a new city, or even change our values. But in the end, is it all worth it? The answer is different for everyone. Eventually, the decision is ours.
Your connection with music
I have a personal connection with music as a musician. I studied for more than 10 years in schools since childhood. I play the piano. I have been through 2 emigrations, and the piano accompanies me everywhere, I think I can’t live without music as a musician and as a listener.
A golden cage
Milad expressed his perspective. He sees himself as a bird in a cage, where the cage is Afghanistan, because the Taliban seized power, and he cannot return to his homeland due to fear for his life.
The golden cage for him is the United States, because he is safe here, but with his hands tied due to bureaucratic expectations and the impossibility of bringing his mother here.
1) When I was a schoolgirl, I went to the Children’s Music School to study piano. Later I didn’t play. I love music. Sometimes music is the only thing that will bring you back to normal.
3) Yes, exactly. I’m glad I live in New York. But I left my city because Russian troops entered the city, arrests and murders began. My family and I had to escape.
Music touches the soul like wine warms the body. Wine changes how you feel in the moment, but music changes how you feel inside. It connects people without words and makes emotions stronger.
About Milad Yousufi
Milad Yousufi was very lucky with his parents. They played an important role in his life. I am from the same culture as he is, so I understand his story very well.
If you read the poems of Mawlana Rumi, who was born in the same place as our hero, you will understand more. The Afghan people, who are part of ancient Iran, have a great culture. This culture comes from the oldest civilizations. But even great cultures can be in danger. People can lose their rich history and treasures.
Milad’s parents were very brave. They loved art, even when religious fanatics destroyed musical instruments. They said they would kill anyone who played music. But his parents taught him to feel the sound with his heart.
Many years later, he was in another country. He worked very hard, felt stress, and saw unfair things. In this difficult time, he remembered the sound from his childhood. It woke up inside him. It gave him new strength, helped him find his creativity, and helped him find himself.
Check out this link if you want to hear something I think will help make my point.
Your connection with music
I’ve listened to a variety of artists over the years, exploring different genres. There was a time when it was trendy to call yourself a melomaniac — someone who appreciates all styles of music. But I believe music is a language, and every artist embeds deep meaning into their work, especially in lyrics. Simply singing a song isn’t enough; you need to live through the emotions behind it.
As for my current tastes, I still listen to a wide range of music, but I gravitate toward songs that help me relive certain memories. If we’re talking about something truly unique, there’s Apashe – a Belgian DJ who blends dubstep, electronic music, and classical compositions. It’s something truly extraordinary, though not everyone can appreciate it because it pushes the boundaries of conventional music.
“No matter how blessed human beings are, they will always ask for more.”
I love philosophical questions. I used to wonder: What if I became a president or held a high-ranking position – how would my life change? Then I remembered a quote from Spider-Man, where Uncle Ben tells Peter: “With great power comes great responsibility.” At the time, his words didn’t resonate much with me, but later I realized: no matter how much you achieve, it will never feel like enough. Every accomplishment brings new challenges, new ambitions.
In my own life, I constantly strive for success, but each time I reach a goal, it feels insufficient – I start looking for new ways to learn, grow, or advance in my career. It’s a never-ending cycle of wanting more.
“All the greatest times in my life have always been coupled with the saddest times.”
I’m not sure if I fully understand this, but to me, life feels like a series of checkpoints—whether I want them or not, they happen. Sad moments are always followed by something good—it’s all about contrast.
For example, I left my maritime career. I could’ve become a captain with a great salary, but that would’ve meant waiting for COVID restrictions to lift. Instead, I chose creativity—because going against myself would mean regretting it for the rest of my life.
Or take my decision to leave Ukraine. It was painful – I left behind family, friends, and a life I had built. Coming to New York was a leap into the unknown. But I had bigger ambitions, so I took the risk. After 11 months here, I’ve learned so much, and I’m still learning. As people often say, I’m still a baby New Yorker.
A golden cage
This quote made me think. You could apply it to many things, but for me, it describes New York.
“Wait… but you live there, right?”
Exactly. I’ve traveled a lot, visited different continents, and been to New York before. For a tourist, New York is a golden cage – a city from movies and dreams, a place where you want to study, work, and build a life.
But once you start living here, reality hits differently. The cost of living is insane. In another state, you could buy a house in a year – here, you can barely afford rent. Elsewhere, you’d get a brand-new, spacious home – here, you get a tiny apartment in an old building. Tourists don’t see (or don’t want to see) the rats, the homelessness, the cockroaches. But they’re here.
New Yorkers who grew up here experience the city differently. True New Yorkers are hyper-focused on their goals. Anything outside their ambition is simply out of focus. That’s the essence of this place.
Milad’s story resonated with me a lot – I saw reflections of my own journey in it.
MUSIC
When I was watching that video, I remembered one thing from my past – When I was a child, I had a little accordion that reminded me of a piano because it had a piano-like keyboard, thus I liked it. When I listened to some interesting music, I started to find suitable sounds on the accordion keys and tried to copy that music. Of course, I copied “Fur Elise” as well not knowing any notes.
Soon, my parents found a private teacher whom I was visiting for my piano lessons. I studied a short time there. After that, in a short time, I left it in the past. I like to listen to music. If I do something, I turn on the music every time.
A golden cage
Milad’s final statement in his story: That reminds me of my current life. When we lived in Russia, we had no restrictions for travel neither within the country nor abroad, but we didn’t have freedom to express ourselves. When we came to the United States, we got the freedom to be ourselves, but we lost the possibility to travel even within the country, because the officer installed to our smartphones the app to control our location. Now we can’t go farther than 75 miles from home. I have freedom, but actually I don’t have it. And I don’t know for how long it will last.
Your connection with music
As the 4th art, music is more or less a combination of sound, rhythm and melodies that give a message and and make your life softer exceptionally when you feel depressed, lost or bad emotionally talking.
In my case, as a listener, music helps me feel relaxed when I’m depressed or over-stressed. It helps me relax, by bringing me joy, positivity and taking away the sadness.
In one word, it’s like therapy… and if I were a musician, it would have been the best way for me to express all my feelings deep inside me… I love music and for that I usually listen to rhythm and blues. And if I had to choose an instrument that would have been guitar.
“I realized that no matter how blessed human beings are they will always ask for more.”
The author in these words illustrates a very important character of human beings which is the lack of satisfaction. Literally, human beings always want more than what they have in their hands. That means that the achievement of any goal is a beginning to a new challenge… most of the time in our life we’re looking for the best. In this context Milad’s goal was to be in legal situation first in other to be able to have a better life. Now that he is about to get is situation legal but he still wants more: he wants his mother also to come to America… Etc.
“No matter how blessed human beings are, they will always ask for more.”
People are always not satisfied with what they have. They usually think that they are not in good condition and complain about that. In their lives, if they have a small car, they will need a big car, then a small house, a big house and more houses etc.
People are only grateful for things they have when they lost it or saw someone live without it. If we live in a country having a war, we can understand the big value of peace. If we are sick, we would love our health more.
A golden cage
Although Milad was in a good life with his success in the US, he still was looking to his family in Afghanistan where his mom and relatives were miserable suffering from the war. He was stuck like a bird in a cage, even if it’s luxury and golden.
The bird needs to fly freely with its flock that is its home. Milad also dreams to reunite with his family and live with them.
“I realized that no matter how blessed human beings are, they will always ask for more.”
I concur with Milad’s statement that human greed is an innate nature in mankind.
Humans are created – scared and frustrated by the known and the unknown, by the certain and the uncertain and by the seen and the unseen.
How unsatisfied and ungrateful mankind is if we are given the earth full of gold. We will ask for the sky to rain more gold.
When blessings are bestowed upon their hands are tied and their back are turned by greed and stinginess and when calamities befallen or touched them screamed in agony and frustrated.never satisfied never grateful only when they have it no longer.
A golden cage
Yes, indeed and again the outside appearance and the ornamented object does not necessarily express what is inside it, just as a grandiose place lavishly ornamented and decorated might appear live and well, yet the inhabitants are unhappy, unstable and insecure
It is like a burdened heart that’s heavy with worries and uncertainty, and the one who carries it on their shoulders are rested as they unload where the burdening of the heart will stick to the heart til it stops beating It’s burden is heavier than that of the one who carries it (carrying a physical heavy load on their shoulders, are rested and relieved as they unloaded it off their back, where the burdening of the heart will cling and stick to the heart till the heart stops beating. It is like the worries and uncertainties that are preoccupying our hearts and minds to exhaustion of our mental and physical energies,
There are these 2 expressions: “A person quickly gets used to good things.” . . . and . . . “A fish looks for where it is deeper, and a person looks for where it is better.”
I agree that this is true. This is inherent in the nature of people and animals. I do not think that this is bad. But it is important that a person creates the opportunity to get more himself, and is not just a consumer. Unfortunately, modern society is largely a consumer society. And how is it in my life? I have always lived and still live within my means. It’s unusual for me to use a credit card here (in my first time), since in Russia I have never taken out loans. I can afford to spend as much as I earn.
“All the greatest times in my life have always been coupled with the saddest times.”
I know his circumstances and I understand him. I can’t relate to that statement on my personal level. I either have sad circumstances or not sad ones now.
A golden cage
After that story I thought about Milad’s words about his golden cage and also about the greatest and saddest times in his life. And I have a different feeling
I suppose he considers his current situation in US as a kind of “golden cage” where he has more or less comfortable and safe life but it’s still a cage for him as he can’t change it and be back to his home country to his beloved mother. But I think this metaphor is not quite a fair one. A cage is a cage! It doesn’t matter if it’s gold or not but it’s a place you really can’t leave. You’ve been locked in and have no way out.
Milad’s case is a different one. He can leave US whenever he wants to and he can fly back to Afghanistan. Yes, it might have been a crazy and very dangerous decision but he really can go ahead. This is his own decision to stay where he is and I completely understand and agree but is he in a cage? Nope!
We should always remember that every decision we take in our lives has its price. We all left our home countries due to some reasons – economic situation, military conflict, political crisis, etc. And we are paying the price leaving behind our families, friends, homes, dreams. . . .
Does it make our life in US a golden cage? I don’t think so!
Does it prove another Milad’s statement that great times in life are always coupled with sad times? Absolutely!
Your connection with music
I have a strong personal connection to music that started in my childhood. I attended music school, where I learned to play the clarinet. It helped me appreciate the discipline and creativity that music gives. Music is also important in my family. My mother worked as a music teacher, and my two uncles were talented self-taught musicians. They taught themselves to play the accordion and harmonicas and often performed at local community events. These experiences taught me that music is both an art and connection with others.
A golden cage
Milad’s final statement, “If you were to buy a golden cage for a bird, it might be a really beautiful cage, but it is still a cage,” reflects a metaphor about freedom and limitations. No matter how expensive or beautiful the cage is, it is a restriction, a lack of freedom and it can still feel like being trapped.
For Milad, this could reflect his struggles as an immigrant. He had opportunities but still faced challenges like being far from home and starting over. This statement shows the value of true freedom, which is priceless.
Your connection with music
I don’t have any musical education and I can’t play any instrument. My mother graduated from music school on the piano, but we didn’t have this musical instrument at home, so I never heard her play. My mother didn’t want to learn to play the piano. My Grandmother wanted that and after 10 years of music school, she hated playing the piano.
As a child, I often listened to classical music. My favorite piece is Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons.”
“I realized that no matter how blessed human beings are, they will always ask for more.”
I think this is true, and this, like everything in the world, has two sides. The first is development in spite of everything. We see this in the film, when Milad’s father taught him to play the piano without the instrument itself. This is overcoming all obstacles;it’s like grass growing through the asphalt, in spite of everything.
On the other hand, these are all human vices, when you already have everything, but demand more, this is about greed and other negative manifestations.
Your connection with music
I have always loved music and it has accompanied me all my life.
As a child, I asked my mother to let me learn to play the piano. But this was impossible due to the financial problem in the family. Later, as a teenager, I took a training course in playing the button accordion for 4 years at a teacher’s college. Therefore, I consider myself a musician, but I don’t practice now, so to a greater extent I am a listener of good music.
I often attended concerts in the halls of the Philharmonic and Conservatory in St. Petersburg and continue to visit Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York.
I was touched by the story of Milad Yousufi. He reminded me of my family history. My mother, shortly before leaving us, talked a lot about her childhood. She too was born into a family full of musicians, like Milad. Her father, his 4 younger brothers and sister all played musical instruments: harmonic, guitar, domra and Russian balalaika. Folks, who used to the village, loved these guys for their skills and talents, as well, as for their kind and cheerful disposition. My mother said that they were “first guys in the village.”
Four of them were drafted into the Second World War. Unfortunately, only one of them returned – disabled. And the music fell silent in this large, previously crowded house.
I hate war!
But my children and my sister’s children and grandchildren continue the musical history of my family. Music is eternal. It can’t be killed and canceled. And it sounds very life-affirming.
“I realized that no matter how blessed human beings are, they will always ask for more.”
Yes, I agree with this statement by Milad, but not entirely. Now, I’ll try to explain.
I think it’s human nature to strive for the best. The life of young Milad and my long life are proof of this.
“The one who walks will go through” is my favorite motto. They say Christopher Columbus said it.
At the same time, everyone has their own path. Really not everyone dreams of “discovering America”, but almost everyone has an American dream here.)
But it is very important not to forget that the main thing is not in the material world.
And only holy people reach spiritual heights. They are “lights” in this world for thinking and praying people.
“All the greatest times in my life have always been coupled with the saddest times.”
I agree, the passing away of loved ones from us, with whom wonderful moments in life are associated, is always sad.
I also miss those who have left me for another world. But I know that they are in a better world and a meeting is inevitable. This reconciles me with these losses.
I want to believe that as long as we live here, there is always room for good moments. And which of them are the best, we will understand at the end of our life, I think.
A golden cage
Yes, of course, a bird cage is something that restricts a bird’s freedom. It seems to me that even if she sings in a cage, then about her past beautiful freedom. . . The bird always strives for freedom.
In my culture, there is a traditional holiday when birds are released from their cages. This is a very symbolic holiday, because our soul, like a bird, always strives for freedom. I think the main thing is to understand what inner freedom is. This is when you no longer depend on external conditions. It’s very difficult.
For me, an example is Viktor Frankl, who maintained his inner freedom in the terrible conditions of a concentration camp. I would recommend Milad and others to read his book, SAY YES TO LIFE.
“I realized that no matter how blessed human beings are, they will always ask for more.”
I consider the statement very true; for some reason, people at the beginning of something new can feel very excited, enthusiastic, and even agreeable to all new things. But then it’s like a honeymoon; we need to face reality and all the duties and responsibilities, and we begin to see the things that we don’t like, although we can be better in many aspects now. I have felt some of this in my life in the USA; many things are new and cool, but then I miss a little bit some aspects of my life in my country.
“All the greatest times in my life have always been coupled with the saddest times.”
In my opinion, in some moments, this is true in my life, but thanks to God, not always. That’s because we can’t always have a completely joyful moment without any other concerns, that’s because life is demanding and full of aspects, and when we are having a moment of joy, it doesn’t mean is for all the situations in our life, although it could help us giving us encouragement and energy to continue.
“I realized that no matter how blessed human beings are, they will always ask for more.”
I think this statement might to describe one important essence of human – dissatisfaction or
greed. I have one example from my life. I am from Russia. President of Russia has been ruling for
25 years. Some years ago, he was one of the richest in the world. Investigative journalist found
evidence his wealth. But at 2020 year we watched a documentary about the construction
of a new bigger palace and then I thought human will always ask for more. . . .
If you were to buy a golden cage for a bird, it might be a really beautiful cage, but it is still a cage.
A golden cage is metaphor of reach life without love and freedom. In this context, the main
character can’t visit his homeland. This is very sad, each of us has threads connecting with
homeland: friends, family, childhood home and other. When I think that I won’t meet with my
friends for a long time, I feel myself in a cage too.
“All the greatest times in my life have always been coupled with the saddest times.”
I don’t agree that the greatest times in life are connected to sad moments. The best moments in life are happiness, joy, love, and beauty. Seeing beautiful new places, hugging loved ones, being healthy, and fulfilling your dreams. These are all the best and greatest moments in my life, and they are not connected to sadness.
A golden cage
To be free means to be happy for me. When a person lives the way they want, achieves their goals, and fulfills their dreams.
If they are restricted, even in the best conditions, they will feel unhappy. Even the most luxurious cage cannot replace true freedom. Without freedom, a person loses themself.
Your connection with music
My mother was a piano teacher. She taught in different Music Schools in St. Petersburg. My sister still teaches piano at the St. Petersburg Conservatory and at the Special Music School at the Conservatory. In our apartment where I grew up there were two pianos and music was almost always heard. I don’t like classical music, but sometimes when I hear it, I remember my mother and sister and my childhood.
When I remember the sad moments of my life and there were quite a lot of them I tell myself – don’t do this, remember the happy moments! And I start remembering the happy moments and I feel a little sad about it, because these happy moments have passed.
And I tell myself – don’t think about the past. The past is a ghost. Enjoy today and be happy!
When I was in my country I said to my mother, I want to be a good engineer, but when I finished my University I though if I knew many subjects, it will be good for me.
After my University I did an accountant degree. When I had a job as an accountant I said, “II want to be a nurse too.”
My mother said, “No, never!. You want to take all your time to do many things. I said to her, “I will be easier for me to find a job because I know many things.
She answered, “You have a good job. Why do you want another kind of job?
I said to her, “I just want to do that.”
We can have a lot of money, but we always ask for more!!