Winters here in the Twin Cities are looong. So when things start to turn green, Bill and I get crazy. Big-time. We maximize the season and make sure to focus on the things that bring us joy. Nature, outdoor dining, concerts, boating on the lake, walks in the park, watching storms, adventuring, and exploring our beautiful city.

For the last several years, we’ve done what we call a “Midwest Summer Road Trip.” We check to see which of our favorite musicians are touring somewhere in the Midwest…and then we plot out a plan of attack. Our past summer road trips have included Neil Diamond, Fleetwood Mac, and Steely Dan, to name a few. And the destinations have spanned Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

Thanks go out to this year’s catalyst – the Steve Miller Band! With two back-to-back Midwest shows on their tour schedule, we were all in.

For us, a concert is never “just a concert.” And a road trip is never “just a road trip.” We make the absolute most out of everything we do. Call it “quirky,” “preference,” “over-the-top,” “habit” – whatever you want. It’s what we do.

While we put together somewhat of an agenda for our road trip, we also stay open to allowing the trip to unfold. When we trust that everything will work out perfectly, we’re always blessed with the most amazing experiences. To give you an idea of how things work out, I decided to bring you along on this year’s road trip!

2011 Midwest Summer Road Trip

The first Steve Miller Band (SMB) concert was in the big city of Chicago. The drive from Minneapolis gets to be a bit long and we like to break it up. So, Bill ditched cube-ville at the end of the workday in the middle of the week…and raced home to get the first leg of our drive underway.

I’m tellin’ ya – everything was on our side. The weather was perfect, the sun was shining, and “life” was at its peak. In the car, we set our intention for what we’d like to experience on the road trip. Both of us agreed: “Be present, breathe it all in, and stay open to the magic of the moment.”

There. Intention set.

Our first night we stayed in the middle of Wisconsin and arrived at Hotel #1 under a purple dusk sky. A beautiful crescent moon shone over the parking lot as we unloaded our stuff. To our surprise, when we got up the next morning and pulled the curtains back – this was the scene outside our window:

I had never been up that close to a cornfield before, and now I get why some horror movies are made with a cornfield as the set. Uber dark and spooky! But so cool to be up close in the daylight when things are safe.

Back on the road, once we crossed the Illinois border – we got to play one of our favorite games. For every toll booth we hit, we left extra money and told the person behind the window to pay for the next few people. Each time we were met with: “What do you mean?” or “Are you sure you want to do that?” Not only did we (hopefully) put a smile on the face of the drivers behind us, but we also gave the worker quite a smile and a lift. And the best part was that every single interaction made our day, too. Try it sometime!

Several toll booths later and after the slow drive into downtown Chicago, we finally got to Hotel #2. Which just happened to be the largest Hyatt in the world. Who knew?

We got settled and found a hoppin’ bar near the venue that was playing SMB tunes to get everyone fired up. Then on to the historic Chicago Theater.

Concert #1

What fun to meet up with our buddies, Kenny and Joseph, long-time SMB members, before the show.

As Kenny walked us across the stage and through the halls of the theater built in 1921, we could hear the distant piano playing beautifully backstage and echoing throughout. Joseph was getting ready!

We got a tour of the backstage operations, and I was enthralled looking at the walls in the stairwell…so much history. So many legends had once performed there and left their mark.

Incredibly cool to be in a small historic theater and also hang out in the green room.

The show was, of course, fantastic and had us up on our feet dancing and smiling from ear-to-ear throughout the entire show!

Afterwards, we hung out and met even more cool people – in the green room and then at a hotel lobby bar. Great deep and meaningful conversation, mixed in with laughs that still make my stomach hurt!

Bill and I are usually in bed by 10, but when you’re a rockstar things are different. We raided the mini-bar back in our room and ransacked the chocolate shelf. Finally shut our eyes just before 3 a.m.

Thank goodness for room-darkening curtains.

But then up early to make our way to the next city! We love road trips and all that they embody. One of my sweetest memories is of Bill and me eating our picnic lunch at a rest stop along the highway. You can always count on Subway to come through, regardless of the city.

The peacefulness and quiet with the summer breeze was so pure and refreshing. A butterfly hung out with us – and encircled us – the entire time. We saw cars pull up from a variety of states and we snickered at the various dogs flying out of the car as soon as the door opened. The cicadas were rockin’. And we were smiling. I gave Driver Bill the traditional shoulder rub, and then we were off and back on the road.

A few miles down the highway, I felt a little sheepish as we passed the SMB tour bus. I’m hoping that doesn’t officially define us as “groupies.” Or does it?

Next stop: Davenport, Iowa. We checked into Hotel #3 and hit the Mississippi Valley Fair where the band was doing a grandstand show. What a difference from the night before – outdoors and with 16,000 more people!

Concert #2

Our first purchase at the fair was two slices of pizza and two beers…totaling LESS than one drink at the Ritz in downtown Chicago the night before. Sheesh!

It was a blast to explore the grounds, meet some of the local folks, and see how they do things there. Everyone was super friendly.

Once again, it was great to hang out backstage. My highlight was giving the guys a hug as they were heading up to the stage…and a hug at the end of the night as they came off the stage. Priceless. I was one lucky girl.

Another fun moment was when Steve Miller heard about my blog and the premise for “Following Your Joy.” His comment: “That’s what it’s all about, and it’s why we’re all here.” Amen to that one!

I’ll never forget watching the 20,000 concert-goers, in amazement, from behind the stage. What a vantage point. Some up on shoulders, some hula-hooping, some smacking beach balls, everyone having a great time. It’s those moments frozen in time that can move me to tears. The way music connects all of us at the core is so powerful. I didn’t know one person out of the 20,000 and yet felt deeply connected to all of them for those couple hours.

Kenny does a great job of explaining this “transference of joy” via music in our previous interview. And Joseph excels at reminding people that even in a sea of thousands, we each matter.

Ahh…so grateful for another fabulous night…

Bill and I always trust that our paths cross with exactly the right people we are supposed to meet. And between those two nights, we connected with no less than a dozen people that we felt a “soul connection” with. You know who you are! And we’re grateful you showed up in our path. :)

Another late night and then back to our hotel.

The homestretch

This time, it was good to wake up on the homestretch of our road trip. Nowhere to be. No schedules. No rockstar performances. Just us.

We got out the map and instead of making the long trek home, we decided to pick a city along the way to set up camp for our last night.

Back on the road and found a patio for lunch, enjoying the sunshine and summer air.

Then in the car, we blasted our SMB tunes, sang along, and reminisced about all the fun we had at the two shows. 

It was Clear Lake, Iowa, we chose for our last stop. Who would have thought that on that particular weekend, it was their biggest event of the year? There was a classic car parade with over 600 classic cars and a big town dance in the park that night. Funny! Some of the hotels had been sold out for over a year, but we happened to get a room on a cancellation. Meant to be, huh?

We learned that this was the town where Buddy Holly and crew played their last gig before the fateful plane crash in 1959. Haunting music trivia.

We walked around the town marveling at all the mint-condition classic cars and then made our way to dinner. Afterwards, we sat on a bench and watched a park full of people dance to the music coming from the pavilion.

The band played a bunch of 50’s tunes, which isn’t our style, but it was so heartwarming to watch the older (older than us, at least!) couples dance…you could tell this music brought them right back to their younger days as they smiled and whooped it up in front of the stage.

We saw moms twirling babies and grandpas jumping up and down with toddlers. Such a joyful scene.

When the band took a break, so did we. The park was right on the lake, and the moon was shining brightly overhead. We walked out to the end of a public dock and got mesmerized in the moon’s reflection on the water and the warm evening breeze.

When the evening was over, we drove out to the darkest country road we could find and turned the car off. We watched the spectacular lightning show way off in the distance, reveled in the warm nighttime breeze, and didn’t say a word as we listened in amazement at the sheer volume coming from ‘whatever those insects were’ in the grass and trees! The epitome of a summer moment. It’s these kind of experiences that make you pause with a full heart.

The next morning as we headed toward home, we were ready. Ready to get unpacked, ready to sleep in our own bed, ready to get back to our regular routine. And as we cruised up the Interstate, we talked about how grateful we were for such a fantastic road trip. Chock full of nature, music, and deep soulful connections. We’re so happy we made this trip a priority!

Following your joy

Following your joy is about deciding what’s important to you…and then doing something about it. It’s about making space in your life for the things you love. This is exactly what I help my clients with, and I base my LifeShine business on this great quote by Harold Whitman:

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

Does the way you live your life match with what matters most to you?

A great indicator is to take a look at how you’re spending your time, your money, and your energy. Are those precious resources of yours going toward the things that are important to you? Or are things a little (or a lot) “off”? If so, that’s okay. Now is the perfect time to make adjustments.

First, take some time to get clear on the things you love and the things that jazz you. Need some help? Here’s a great way to get started. And then be sure that a chunk of your time, money, and energy are focused in those areas. If that feels like too big of a leap, no worries. Start small.

It has taken Bill and me time over the years to clarify what’s most important to us and then learn how to structure our lives in a way that’s aligned with our true spirits. You may have even read about our major life overhaul when we sold our custom-built dream home and downsized and started the business? Check it out – it’s a great read. Just remember that life is a journey, and wherever you are right now is perfect.

One thing we’ve known at the core – and declared when we were first dating almost two decades ago – is that vacations and adventure are A1 top priority. And both of us have been loving and enjoying concerts since we were each in junior high. So, these Midwest Summer Road Trips we’ve created couldn’t match our “aliveness” meter any better. :)

When I posted a hot-off-the-press photo on Facebook from our road trip, one of my friends commented: “I like the way you guys roll.” Thanks, Jill. Me, too!

Following your joy feels goood. It adds such depth and richness to life.

When the rain comes there’s only one thing to do. And all my life I’ve been conditioned to do it.

When it rains:

You postpone plans.

You hope to heck that your hair doesn’t get wet.

I’m 42, and I just learned a new way.

A night with U2

The legendary band, U2, came to Minneapolis last weekend. It was our first outdoor stadium concert here since 1978! Bill and I had to be a part of all the buzz here in the Twin Cities and were excited to participate in a historic night.

In front of the new TCF Bank Stadium

Storms were predicted right around show time. Hmm, what to do? On our way to the concert, we picked up the last two clear plastic “emergency rain ponchos” hanging on the rack at the local drug store. When I asked the lady behind the counter if they carried them, she said: “Aha! I bet you’re going to the U2 concert. Hurry before they’re gone!” So we grabbed them and stashed ‘em in my purse.

It was a beautiful hot summer night here in the Twin Cities. And that’s one of my absolute favorite parts of life: Hot. Summer. Nights. Love ‘em like crazy.

We enjoyed a few beers before the show and made our way into the stadium as the sun was setting.

U2 came on and the band blew us away!

About an hour into the show – as the first notes of “Beautiful Day” began – the wind picked up, the temperature dropped, and the gusts of an impending storm front swept through the crowd. And just at the same moment, colorful fireworks burst high into the sky from a nearby downtown celebration. Really? You’re killin’ me with the timing of this. It was too cool for words.

Shortly afterwards, it started raining. So we, along with a few other smart ones around us, got those ponchos on. And we stayed relatively dry and continued to enjoy the music while the rain continued to fall.

And then the downpour. Those four talented guys on that elaborate stage didn’t even flinch and kept pounding out the tunes. Lightning bolts off in the distance and a crack of thunder. The rain was so hard that it almost hurt my head! I kept my flimsy poncho hood pulled tight over my head to protect myself, just as I was supposed to.

Then it all changed.

The band catapulted the stadium of 58,000 fans into “Sunday Bloody Sunday” – with an incredibly powerful and soul-stirring performance. I felt the power of the bass in my chest. As I jumped up and down with the crowd, I noticed the standing water over my squishy flip flops, and the bottoms of my capri jeans were wet and heavy.

But I let the music fill me to the top. It was then that I woke up.

Seeing the light

A sense of “carpe diem” came over me. I ripped the ridiculous poncho hood off my head, which was getting in my way anyway, and pulled it down. Then I looked up to the sky and held my arms up high. I took a deep and purposeful breath of the fresh air in and felt the rain pelting my skin and my arms and face, and I let my mascara run all the way down my cheeks.

I opened my eyes and saw the guy next to me doing the same thing. Taking a momentary break from his night-long air guitar performance, he looked up at the sky, fully soaked, and raised his arms upward. It was like we were both thanking God in unison for this amazing moment in time. I’ll never see that guy again, but in that instant, I felt like I was connected to him forever.

I basked in it all. I’m quite sure that I’ve never let myself feel the rain like that. Ever. Complete goosebumps.

The show became a whole different experience for me as I engaged all my senses, and I felt fully alive. Giving in to “life” was the best gift I could give myself. Just like Bono sings: “It’s a beautiful day, don’t let it get away…”

The entire concert experience was incredible. My buddies on Facebook keep using the same word that I can’t get away from, either: “Epic.” It’s true. It was epic. I’m so grateful that I let myself feel all of life that night. It was quite the spiritual experience for me.

I was reminded that totally living in the moment is a choice. At first, I was doing everything I could to keep myself as dry as possible. Wonder what purpose that would have served? It was when I finally let go and “rode the wave,” so to speak, that I was following the joy of the moment and was fully living. Thanks, U2, for leading the way.

So my new learning is this:

When the rain comes there’s only one thing to do.

Rock on, my friends!

Were you at the show? Love for you to share your experience below!

Did you hear the news? Neil Diamond has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! My recent tweet captured my feelings best:

“Heartfelt congrats to Neil Diamond R&R Hall of Fame Inductee! Amazing man, gifted musician, light in the world.”

Friendships come and go. Trends change. People grow older. And life continues. But one special ‘constant’ in my life has been the influence of Neil Diamond – singer and songwriter extraordinaire – which has etched a mark in my soul for 30 years.

The beginning

I started life as a happy, positive, sunshiny kid. And my favorite thing to do was to bring joy to others. Along with the happiness, though, there was also a thread of sadness throughout my childhood. I felt very alone, trying to find my place in the world as I was shuffled back and forth between divorced and soul-searching parents.

Neil’s music was a rock in my unstable world; through his songs and gentle presence, I felt comfort, experienced a deep sense of joy, and felt “heard” – which I so yearned for.

For me, it was the beginning of a spiritual journey.

When I was in sixth grade, my best friend, Cassie, became a Neil fan, too! We formed our own elite “Diamond Girl” fan club and created super-strict eligibility requirements which made it literally impossible for anyone else to join (not that any other kid was beating down our door, but we wanted to be sure).

The membership guidelines included the following: Must be 12 years-old, a sixth grader in room 104, an Aquarius, Jewish, and have braces.

Naturally, no one else fit the bill but us!

Diamond Girls, circa 1981

At the annual school dance festival, we petitioned to have our classroom’s performance accompanied by a Neil song (it didn’t work out).

When Halloween rolled around and our friends dressed as witches and ghosts, Cassie and I dressed as Neil Diamond fans with face paint and handed out flyers promoting his music. Neil: bet you didn’t know you had a small PR firm working on your behalf in West L.A.!

Cassie and I partnered together on a writing project in school, and I’ll never forget what Mrs. Bourman wrote at the top of the paper next to our ‘A’ grade: “Too much Neil Diamond, otherwise very well written.” Ha! Crazy girls.

Then I moved from L.A. to Minneapolis to live with my dad. And I carried all of my Neil albums on the plane with me because I didn’t want anything to happen to them. It turns out that shortly afterward, most of my belongings were destroyed in storage during torrential rains in L.A.

Thankfully, I still had my records.

My first concert

One day I got an enthusiastic call from my grandpa who said: “Michelle, guess what – your hero is coming to town!” How sweet – he was, of course, referring to Neil’s upcoming visit to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.

I remember skipping part of the school day in junior high to get tickets. I stood outside in the freezing cold Minnesota winter for several hours, along with a myriad of bundled-up, aggressive ladies who almost knocked me over when the box office doors opened! Always shy and quiet, I kept to myself.

My concert ticket (courtesy of allowance money and my babysitting stash) bought me a seat where my early 80’s hairdo nearly scraped the arena ceiling. I needed a chaperone so my dad kindly went with me.

While I stood up and clapped and cheered during the show, my dad – a tough bouncer at a popular nightclub – seemed to be elsewhere. Let’s just say he was more of a Led Zeppelin/Jimi Hendrix sort of guy.

Through the years

And so Neil’s music came with me – junior high, high school, college, and moving from place to place; through life’s joys and life’s sorrows. I knew I could always count on Neil’s songs.

In my mid 20’s, I married my best friend and soulmate, Bill. 

He attended his first Neil concert with me – reluctantly, yet graciously. Bill was a rocker with a flair for heavy metal, but…he fell in love with Neil after the very first show (whew!).

Recent synchronicities

So the past several years together as partners-in-crime, we have thoroughly enjoyed catching Neil’s shows both here at home and on the road. One of our favorite things to do is share the experience together and visit different cities, meet the locals, and spread sunshine wherever we go on our travels. What a thrill it has been!

And amazingly, moments of synchronicity have abounded on the tours. One example is how front row tickets keep popping up for Bill and me – ten times out of the last twelve concerts! (The other two concerts weren’t so bad, either – second row). :)

Me with Bill - wearing his "front-row" shirt before a show in Sioux City, IA

Even when Neil played Madison Square Garden in New York City, we just happened to be traveling there that week for my cousin’s wedding. How’s that for odds? We ended up seeing two back-to-back shows – grateful for not only getting last minute tickets at this world-famous arena, but also scoring front row seats both nights…and getting to be a part of Neil’s first concert DVD in 20 years! There’s even a little interview clip of just the two of us in the “extras.”

We have so much fun at Neil’s shows. After one of the concerts on the last tour, a local radio station DJ came up to us outside and said, “I saw you guys up in front. You two were the happiest mother f’ers in the entire building!”

Love it.

Before every show, Bill and I set our intention to fill the arena with positive energy and light, and infect the crowd with enthusiasm. We want Neil and his loyal and talented band to know and feel all the joy they bring to us.

It seems that whenever we’re involved in a Neil concert, amazing things happen. I see it as a ‘wink and a nod’ from the universe, encouraging me to continue engaging in what brings me joy.

Off to Madison Square Garden - Bill with his “front-row” shirt again (I swear, it works every time!)

My full circle moment

Have you seen this incredible story about my special “full-circle” moment with Neil, almost 30 years in the making? If not, you’ve got to check it out. To this day, it still blows my mind.

Read about it here: How Synchronicity Led To A Front-Row Kiss

Transference of joy

My coaching business is based on this quote by Harold Whitman: “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

Amen!

Neil excels at embracing what makes him come alive. And the gift is that I get to experience that aliveness each time I’m in his presence when he performs onstage, or when I’m at home listening to his tunes. I, in turn, exude that joyful feeling back out into the world. It’s similar to the “transference of joy” Kenny Lee Lewis of the Steve Miller Band talked about in our recent interview.

I think Neil sounds like a great candidate for a Joy-Follower interview, don’t you? Stay tuned.

My message to Neil

Neil, you’ve been a model to me since childhood of following what brings you joy. You radiate grace, gentleness, compassion, and zest for life. And as I said on Twitter recently, you are a true light in this world.

Thank you for your presence and friendship – via your music – all these years. You impact the world and make it a better place simply by being all of who you are. Congratulations on your induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!

How funny that just as I finished this post…I came across an article on the Induction, where you said that your first choice of someone to induct you would be a fan.

>>>My calendar just happens to be open in mid-March. :)

I love to celebrate life. And one of my (many) favorite ways to do so is to plant myself among thousands of others at a concert. Inside the arena, we’re all there for a common purpose: To revel in music that fills our souls, touches our hearts, and connects us with something deeper inside each of us.

When I go to a concert, of course it’s about the music and the artist. But also right up there at the top is sharing the life-affirming experience with an enthusiastic crowd. Bill and I love to travel to see our favorite musicians and we have a blast chatting up the locals and meeting fans in various cities…getting each other all riled up for the great show about to start.

Some goosebump moments of joy during shows the last few years that stand out for me are:

–A Vietnam Veteran next to me who sobbed during Neil Diamond’s “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”; we hugged after the show.

–A 14 year-old boy next to me at The Who concert who amazingly knew all the words to every song and high-fived me after each one; he was in all his glory!

–A couple next to me who traveled all the way from Peru to see Neil Diamond; they both cried during the song “America,” and the man shouted to me through his tears: “Don’t let no one tell you any differently – America is the best!”

–A woman next to me at the Eric Clapton concert; she shared all her wild tales from Woodstock and the Monterey Pop Festival – what a piece of history she was!

–A grandmother and granddaughter team next to me who traveled hundreds of miles to see Barry Manilow (okay, the secret is out – yes, I saw him, too) and they fell in love with him all over again.

–A group of men in their 60’s behind me at the Paul McCartney concert, every single one of them in tears as they relived memories from their youth.

–And just last week with the guy next to me at the Dukes of September (Donald Fagen/Michael McDonald/Boz Scaggs) concert which was outdoors where we were continuously pelted by wind and rain. We finally gave in, got up out of our seats, ditched the rain ponchos, and danced up a storm – allowing ourselves to fully enjoy the moment and get completely soaked!

During a concert, for those two hours, we’re all the same. All one. We all transcend labels, judgments, and (our own) perceived limitations. We’re all there simply to have a good time and to celebrate life. Kinda cool that I had all those powerful ‘moments’ with people I didn’t know and probably won’t ever see again. We wove in and out of each others’ lives as our paths crossed because of the random (or not so random!) seat numbers assigned to us.

When Neil Diamond sings “Sweet Caroline” and the arena lights go up and all 18,000 fans chime in and sing along…I always pause. I pause to look up at the people in the seats way up high. I look all around me at the people waving their arms in unison, shouting out the lyrics, and most importantly – smiling from ear to ear. And I breathe it all in and revel in the notion that all these people came together that night under one roof to celebrate life and to feel good. What an honor to be a part of it all.

Those types of experiences and moments fuel me. They literally give me goosebumps. To celebrate life on that level is purely a spiritual experience for me.

So, how ‘bout you? What does it for you?

What’s your favorite way to celebrate life?

Quick. Stop what you’re doing right now.

Take a slow, deep breath in. And b-r-e-a-t-h-e out.

And notice:

What’s right with this moment?

Maybe it’s the gentle breeze coming in from the window. Or the fact that there’s not much on your schedule today. Or the great song that’s playing in the background. Or the excitement you’re feeling about an upcoming event.

What is it? What’s right with this moment?

[Pause here to think about it and let it soak in]

Got it? I love asking this question. In fact, I routinely ask it on the Following Your Joy Facebook Page and on Twitter. And I love seeing the answers people come up with.

Often times, it’s simple things like: “The smell of a vanilla candle,” “It’s a good hair day,” “The laughter of my baby,” or “My dog snoring.”

Occasionally they’re big things, too, like: “I’m alive,” “I’m healthy,” “My wife loves me,” or “I have a roof over my head.”

Remember, the more you focus on the good stuff (from enjoying a day in your PJ’s to a day free of pain), the more the good stuff multiplies. The more you celebrate what’s “right,” the more there is to celebrate in life.

One of my all-time favorite quotes is by Arthur Rubinstein: “If you love life, life will love you back.” So true!

So. Back to the pop quiz.

What’s right with this moment?

Revel in it. Breathe it in. Honor it.

Share the good news and leave your answer below. You’re sure to get an “A” for playing and for focusing on the good! Can’t wait to see what you all have to say.

P.S. Wanna do some more celebrating? Check out this post.

Got a friend you’d like to take this quiz? Pass along this along and let’s keep celebrating the good stuff!

This morning I woke up agitated for no particular reason. It was a beautiful sunny spring morning and the birds were singing. I had a great night’s sleep. It was Saturday. I have an amazing life. What more could I want?! Regardless, something was bugging me. Nothing special came to mind; it was just a rare mood I happened to be in.

So poor Bill woke up with a perma-smile as he usually does. We had our breakfast together in our usual spot, but we were having trouble connecting (of course we were, because I was in a “mood”!). Whatever he would say, I didn’t understand. Whatever I would say, he didn’t get.

Not connecting

We proceeded to go upstairs to get ready for the day ahead. And then I laid it on him: “I don’t like how our morning is going” and “I don’t like the way we’re connecting.”

Now, I did feel a little silly for saying that because we both knew that I was basically the reason for the disconnect between us! The two of us have this crazy relationship where 99% of the time we’re on the same page with everything and we get along phenomenally! In fact, we love being together 24/7 and still—after 18 years together—can’t seem to get enough of each other.

After my announcement, I figured we’d sit down, hopefully analyze what was bothering me, and figure out a solution to help me move ahead. I wanted to talk it out. That was me, getting stuck in my head.

Instead, though, in response to my “I don’t like how our morning is going,” Bill raced over to me with a big smile and said, “Then let’s change it!” He reached over and pushed the “On” button on our clock radio and started dancing his butt off, with over-exaggerated moves.

He got in my face and said, “Come on, let’s dance!”, looking goofier than ever.

Thankfully, a great, rockin’ song came on; one of those that you just can’t help but move to. I tried not to smile (after all, you’re not supposed to smile when you’re in a bad mood), but I ended up laughing because Bill looked funny—he hadn’t gotten in the shower yet, so his ready-for-a-haircut-hair was messy and he was wearing an old Miller Lite t-shirt and boxers. Even though I wanted to smile, I wasn’t ready to give in and dance.

But Bill kept up his crazy moves, circling all around me, not giving up until I joined in.

Turning things around

So I caved and busted a move.

That moment took away all my agitation. It took away my need to talk, analyze, and figure things out. It brought me out of my head and into my heart. It helped me engage and participate in the beautiful morning that was upon us; it would have been a shame to let it slip by.

From the observer’s perspective, I’m sure we looked ridiculous. And just to be fair, I should mention that my hair was messier than Bill’s and I was wearing my XXL Who concert t-shirt, big enough to be a dress, and fluffy yellow socks. Quite the dancing duo!

It’s easy to overcomplicate life and try to figure it all out. And not everything needs to be analyzed or picked apart anyway. Besides, there isn’t always an answer.

Make the proactive choice for change

Life is short. So handle what’s bugging you, change what you don’t like, enjoy a sunny day, get on the dance floor when you hear music (the photo at the top is of Bill whistling his own tunes and forcing me to “tango” at the headwaters of the Mississippi River).

Following your joy doesn’t need to be a big to-do. You don’t always have to prepare for it or dress up for it. It can be embraced, spur-of-the-moment, as a joyful “come as you are” party. I’m a big planner, and this moment with Bill was another reminder to me of the power in following the joy of the moment.

So I’m sticking with Bill’s simple philosophy that if you don’t like something, “Change it!” Cheers to my wise, fun, and life-loving hubby. Oh and by the way, it’s our 16th anniversary this week. I picked out a good guy, and I think I hit the jackpot…don’t you?

Note: Think Bill’s cool? Check this out!

I’ve always been enamored by the idea of “Life Moments.” Those moments in time where life stands still and you are simply and completely awe-struck. They’re times of celebration; times of pause.

What are those highlights for you?

A few that stand out for me (which all include my husband, Bill!) are:

–Swimming with dolphins in Key Largo as one of the dolphins and her calf repeatedly swam just beneath us—and with us—beckoning us to join them in their underwater play, watching and following our every move.

–Singing “Hey Jude” with Paul McCartney as he led a choir of 20,000 in a packed arena; the house lights were shining brightly on all of us, with many concertgoers in tears (“…na na na na na na na…”). Goosebumps!

–Watching the sun set from Mallory Square in Key West, where thousands gather nightly to celebrate nature’s ritual; as the sun melted into the water on the horizon, everyone stopped what they were doing and paused in complete respect and reverence—you could hear a pin drop.

–Ringing in the New Year (see photo above) on a cruise ship deck with family and 3,000 other partygoers; dancing in the warm breeze under a starry sky to Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration” amidst noisemakers, confetti, streamers, flowing champagne, and fireworks.

–Renewing wedding vows on our 10^th anniversary deep in the peaceful Redwood forest, sitting on a blanket underneath giant skyscraper-like trees towering over us and sharing a bottle of wine and words of deep gratitude with each other.

Once-in-a-lifetime moments

These special moments and how I felt will never come again; not in the exact way or precise form. When I think back on these precious flashes of life, none of them were things I could have planned; each extraordinary and unique experience simply unfolded right in front of my eyes in its own glory and magnificence…and left me speechless.

Following your joy involves being open and ready for these moments to take the reigns and grab ahold of us. Moments like these call for us to be:

1) Conscious and awake to our lives

2) Intentional about how we live

3) Appreciative of all that comes our way

What an exciting and wonderful part of life! The quote on my vision board above my desk is by good ol’ Anonymous: “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away.”

Ahhh…perfect.

For another fun and inspiring post on a great run of life moments, be sure check out this one.

What is a “Life Moment” that stands out for you? Love for you to share!

“…People all over the world, join hands, start a love train, love train…” If you recognize this 70′s song by the O’Jay’s, and if you’re like me, you can’t help but get out of your chair and start dancing! And if you don’t know this one, you may want to add it to your library. I love that song! And from now on whenever I hear it, it will bring a “pause” to my life as I recall a very powerful and goosebump-inducing night last year.

Bill and I were on a cruise celebrating my 40th birthday. It was glorious! As we sailed the Caribbean, one of the nights on the ship was designated as “70′s Night.” That one had my name written all over it, and it was also the backdrop for some pretty cool personal experiences for me.

The party

In the interior of our ship was a large promenade area that looked up seven levels and was probably the length of two football fields. This was the grand setting for the evening’s kick-off party as no less than a thousand passengers filled the space.

Most of us didn’t know each other and many of us spoke different languages. But when that O’Jay’s song blasted through the speakers, and the music pumped through and filled every single corner of that massive interior of the ship, time stood still. There were beach balls smacked up in the air and bouncing off walls wherever you looked, everyone was smiling, some were videotaping, cruisers around me were high-fiving, and all of us were dancing. Talk about following your joy!

It was in that moment that I realized the power of celebrating “community.” I didn’t know anyone else there, and it didn’t matter. But I felt so loved and supported in that moment as we all shared in the beauty of celebrating life…together.

We were “in the same boat,” so to speak. And we needed each other throughout the week, as many of us were thousands of miles away from home—away from life as we knew it—sailing in vast open seas and visiting foreign lands.

We’re all in this journey of life together.

What a wonderful world

Another scenario that embraced this idea perfectly was when Bill and I hit the ship’s disco after dinner that same night. We walked in and the flashing disco lights halted and the more peaceful and soft slow-dance lights illuminated. Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” began.

We sat down and noticed an elderly couple, somewhere in their 80′s, emerge from their seats in the dark corner. They danced the most graceful dance together, obviously well-rehearsed over many, many years. As I tearfully watched them and wondered what type of lifetime stories they shared together, they effortlessly floated across the dance floor, never taking their eyes off one another, never letting their smiles dissolve. Yes, we do need each other. “What a wonderful world…”

Witnessing this made me reflect on turning 40 even more and on some of the many thoughtful gifts I received. One was given in my honor: a gift of food to feed a child in Haiti for two months. Two full months! I was speechless as I was instantly reminded of how essential it is that we support one other. It could even mean life or death to someone.

Community is to be celebrated.

A client and special friend gave me a card that birthday with a particularly poignant quote on the front. I’ve seen it many times before, but this time as I hit a milestone decade, it struck me more powerfully than ever before. The anonymous quote read: “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away.” 

A perfect end to a magical night

That night in the disco, as Bill and I began to grow tired from our day of excitement, one more magical piece unfolded that tied everything together.

We were relaxing in an oversized, high-backed red velvet booth with our heads resting on the back, admiring the dancers. The classic “Your Song” by Elton John was playing, and the tune filled the disco to the top. The silver ball was spinning from the 2nd deck of the club, and Bill and I turned our heads to each other. And almost as if it were choreographed, we both belted out the lyrics to each other and sang along with Elton:

“I hope you don’t mind, I hope you don’t mind, while I put down in words…how wonderful life is while you’re in the world…”

I could barely get the words out without being choked up.

–And so, who is it that you need in your life?

–When was the last time that you told them?

–How can you celebrate the power of community with them?

It’s way too easy in our fast-paced world to get trapped in a silo, trying to handle everything on our own. But remember that we live on this earth together. We are here for each other.

Who will you reach out to today?

Note: Here are a few other great stories about the importance of community and how we can help each other out:

–You, Too, Can Make Someone’s Day
–Ever Wonder Why You’re Here?
–How To Help Others Follow Their Joy

One of the many constants in my married life with Bill is a tradition we started when we first began dating over 17 years ago. Our favorite thing to do is to hang out at home together, relax, and enjoy each other’s company.

Routinely on a Friday or Saturday night (when we’re not out hittin’ the town), we have what we call a “Personal Evening”:  Bill makes dinner for us (thank goodness I married someone who loves to cook!), and my role is to light the candles and put on the perfect music to accompany the evening.

The joy of music

Since the beginning, it’s always been legendary musician Herb Alpert’s tunes that perfectly fit the bill. His smooth trumpet fills the room and creates the ideal blend of relaxation, calm, and joy. And it’s just the right backdrop to complement our dinners by the fire and our deep conversations about our hopes and dreams for our future.

A few weeks ago, Bill and I were talking about how much music fills our lives and how much joy we get from seeing our favorite artists live (we’ve traveled from to New York to L.A., from Oklahoma City to Sioux City, and from Miami to Omaha to see our faves!). We got all excited reminiscing about past experiences and “feeling” what it feels like to be in the presence of live music. We also talked about the importance of continuing to make this a priority in our lives. After all, it’s following our joy in the truest sense.

The next morning to my surprise, I checked email and saw in my Inbox a last-minute announcement that Herb Alpert and his wife, Lani Hall, were playing at a local jazz club! Interesting how we seemed to “attract” that email right after talking about how important these experiences were to us (I had even tried to unsubscribe a few times previously from that jazz club mailing…but there was always a technical glitch that wouldn’t allow me to do it).

Bill’s birthday was coming up and I thought this would be the best surprise if I could pull it off. What I didn’t mention earlier is that Bill has actually been a fan of Herb’s since he was three years old. While immersed in playing with his toys, he’d bug his parents incessantly to play Herb’s records with the Tijuana Brass over and over.

The ultimate surprise

The day of the show, I asked Bill to leave work early and told him we were heading downtown for a special night out. When we pulled into our parking spot in the ramp, I gave him a card with the show tickets enclosed.

His “deer-in-the-headlights” look was absolutely priceless.

His jaw dropped and then his confused and surprised response was: “What?! Herb has been my musical hero since I was three!”

We enjoyed a fabulous dinner at the elegant jazz club, and smiled the entire evening throughout the show. It was pretty darn cool to see one of our faves—a legend—play in an intimate setting like this…and for Bill and me and our 17-year relationship, things seemed to come full-circle in a really wonderful way.

True gratitude

The best part was meeting Herb after the show and being able to thank him personally for the gift of music that he has given us throughout the years; music that served as a backdrop for these two soulmates navigating life together. It was a complete honor to be in the presence of Herb and Lani for the evening; a true class act.

My learning is this. Keep thinking about what you love; what brings you joy. Allow yourself to feel what it’s like to be in its presence. And then open yourself up to receiving it—or some form of it. The exciting thing is that you never know how it will show up for you or what surprises might lay ahead. When you’re following your joy, life gets richer. Life gets fuller.

As Mark Twain said: “An ecstasy is a thing that will not go into words; it feels like music.”

Cheers to your joy!