Just then the legendary rock band’s founder and vocalist, Marty Balin, came out to do a soundcheck. We smiled and waved to him, and I’m sure it was obvious that we were excited for the concert. So Marty asked if we wanted to come backstage and hang out before the show. We enthusiastically made our way through the gate and got fitted with special wristbands. We had Marty all to ourselves for the next half-hour!

A great time backstage

I swear, I lived another lifetime in the 60’s, even though I wasn’t born until 1969. I have always been so drawn to that era in our history when rock music changed the world. I’m sure I worked security at the Monterey Pop Festival or camped out in the Haight-Ashbury district in San Francisco or sold concessions on a rainy day at Woodstock. I know that a part of my heart and soul was definitely there during those pivotal times.

So when Marty told us all of his adventurous stories from the past, I was riveted. I know he picked up on our passionate, genuine interest. We heard about the club he opened in San Francisco in 1965 called The Matrix, where The Doors and The Grateful Dead were just a few of the early performers. We heard about tales from Woodstock and wild nights touring in various cities. We heard about the Rolling Stones’ Altamont Speedway Concert when Marty got knocked out onstage by a Hells Angel doing security (you can see it in the rock documentary “Gimme Shelter”).

We talked about Grace Slick and how she was the one who got all of the attention back then. When the song “White Rabbit” was brought up in conversation, Bill—reminding Marty of his age—said, “Hey, you recorded that song the week before I was born!”

In awe of synchronicity

The most meaningful part of the conversation was about our favorite song, “Miracles.” The details aren’t necessarily important, but what is important is what it left us with. Since that summer day and that deep connection with Marty, “Miracles” will appear seemingly out of nowhere whenever something amazing happens. Its appearance feels like a nod from the universe saying “You’re on the right path” or “Keep up the great work” or “Keep up the faith and keep believing.”

–It will play in the grocery store just after Bill and I just shared the most amazing and transformational weekend together.

–It will come on the car stereo after pulling away from an important meeting that is full of promise and excitement.

–It will be the next song on our digital music station when Bill and I playfully have fun with our angels and ask for a song to come on that is “just for us.”

–I’ll hear it when I doubt my abilities or if my confidence is lacking, as a reminder to love myself and keep the faith.

–It even played on the morning after the greatest synchronicity of all as we pulled away from our hotel in Grand Forks, ND last year. That was my special moment with Neil Diamond, and if you haven’t heard that story and are intrigued by synchronicities, you gotta check this one out!

Are you paying attention?

The world is looking for all sorts of ways to grab your attention; all kinds of opportunities to tell you that you’re doing great. There’s a different language that works for each of us.

For me, it’s music that fills my soul and brings me joy. Or it’s surprise concert tickets that just happen to be in the front row. It happens over and over again for me. And every single time, I smile and close my eyes and feel gratitude from my head to my toes, knowing that I’m not alone and that my cheering section is always there helping me along and riding the wave with me.

When you’re following your joy, you notice the synchronicities ten-fold. Because when you come from that place of abundance, your heart is more receptive and you’re more open to all the good things life has to offer.

Special thanks to Marty and his gang for lighting that fire inside me (and for giving us the wink and the nod when he emotionally belted out that song on-stage).

So here’s the amazing song that I’d love to share with you (drum roll, please). Sit back and enjoy:

Are you paying attention to the synchronicities in your life?

Authors note: Just as I was sending the text of this blog post to Bill to review, he called from work (before he received my email) and said, “Guess what song I just heard?!” You guessed it. “Miracles.” Needless to say, I was speechless. And then I heard it again–and so did Bill–just after I posted my interview with Marty.

When I was 12 years-old I fell in love with Neil Diamond…the man, and his music (that’s me on the left, circa 1981!). As a kid, I often felt sad and lonely, and Neil’s music was a constant in my unstable world. Through his songs, I experienced a deep sense of joy and felt “heard,” which I so yearned for. And I’ve always been inspired by other people who follow the things in life that bring them joy. As a singer, songwriter, and performer, Neil excels at that!

Today, I’m as loyal and faithful of a fan as ever, so when Neil embarked on a big tour last year, I was thrilled! He kicked off the U.S. leg of his tour right here in Minnesota, and Bill and I saw several shows on the road and had a blast…getting front row tickets every time! Later you’ll hear more about how we got those tickets, but for now, let’s just say that at just the right time, they always appeared. And we are SO grateful!

Anyway, it was quite a run, and as the tour was winding down, we noticed that there was a show coming up in Grand Forks, North Dakota (which, in late November, is not necessarily high on our list of places to visit). We had already spent a good amount of money on shows and it would be a long, cold drive; it just didn’t seem realistic or practical to make the trek.

Should I stay or should I go?

But when you’re following your joy, it’s more of a “heart” thing. So we decided to pay attention to whatever messages came our way and follow the energy to see whether or not we should go.

Two days before the show, a pair of front row seats popped up on Ticketmaster! I certainly didn’t need any more of a clear message. Of course we jumped on the tickets and made our travel plans for the six-hour road-trip to the frozen tundra! And man was I glad we did…

Once again, it was such a thrill to be right in the front; to be a “part” of the show and get some nods and thumbs-up from the band members who saw us having a great time. It all felt pretty special! I was delighted to be there and share in the spirit and aliveness of music that night which connected all 10,000 of us music lovers.

30 years of joy culminating in one surprise moment

Shortly after the show started, Neil began singing the beautiful “September Morn.” This was a surprise, as he hadn’t sung that one before on the tour. He walked down the steps on the far side of the stage and continued his song, slowly walking the length of the front row, and he seemed to be coming in our direction. As he gradually made his way over, he stopped in front of me when our eyes locked, and then he reached out his hand toward me!

I took his hand and the entire arena erupted.

Neil pulled me close to him and continued singing to me as we moved down the front row together. I followed his lead as he sashayed along, the spotlight now on just the two of us! I remember hearing the screams all around me, but as far as I was concerned, there was nothing else going on in the world. I’m quite sure my smile had enough voltage to illuminate the arena!

I finished singing the lyrics with Neil and then he leaned in to kiss me. Wow, I didn’t see that coming! More cheering from the crowd.

Then we slowly parted and I walked back to my seat…stunned, awed, and with a quiet knowing that there was certainly a larger force involved in this unforgettable moment, almost 30 years in the making. I wondered if my team of angels had been hanging out in the rafters above so that they could witness first-hand the magic unfolding below?

Later, several of the female concertgoers came up to me and said if it had been them that Neil picked, they would have either thrown up, fainted, or died on the spot. Instead, and to my surprise, I felt incredibly calm. It was a moment of perfection, carried out as though it was planned and choreographed, yet it was all so natural.

When the song ended and Neil got back to his spot up on the stage, he thanked me for the kiss. And then he thanked Bill for not beating him up! Very sweet. It was one of those life moments that I will never forget. In ways, it felt like an affirmation for following my joy throughout my life and doing what truly makes me come alive. Heartfelt thanks to the universe for noticing my efforts and orchestrating that one! So much gratitude.

After the show, it was fun to revel in my instant stardom. I was congratulated, high-fived, and photographed with people I’d never met. It was fun living it up! Then we walked into the bar and everyone in the place got off their barstools to come over and meet me. When we sat down to order food, our server said, “Did you hear what happened tonight?!”

Not surprisingly, all the reporters and other fans wanted to know about “the kiss.” Of course I loved it and playfully told the Grand Forks Herald it was a “10.” On a bigger-picture level, though, the most important part of the experience for me was that it was truly a spiritual moment to connect so deeply with a beautiful soul who has touched my life in the most wonderful way for almost 30 years.

Believe that anything is possible

My favorite of all the articles that ran in the local papers over the next few days starts out like this: “All Neil Diamond fans can agree that the legendary performer who has sold 125 million records, who has a Grammy and 36 Top 40 hits, has a great voice. But Michelle Stimpson is one fan who also knows Neil Diamond is a good kisser.”

Funny! Who would have thought? And out of 82 concerts on the tour that spanned Europe and North America, this deal happened only once. Amazing…

Before the U.S. tour began last summer, I was interviewed for our local newspaper here in the Twin Cities. The writer suggested that I hold up a sign for Neil since I was in the front row and such a big fan. I replied that there weren’t necessarily any words I wanted to convey to Neil…instead, I just wanted him to see my smile, mirroring all of my joy and appreciation back to him.

Now, I can be 110% sure that Neil saw my smile.