You may have heard this true story from several years ago:

THE SITUATION
In Washington , DC , at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, a man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes.  During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing.  He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule. 

About 4 minutes later : The violinist received his first dollar.  A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

At 6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

At 10 minutes :
A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly.  The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time.  This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent – without exception – forced their children to move on quickly.

At 45 minutes:
The musician played continuously.  Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while.  About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace.  The man collected a total of $32.

After one hour :
He finished playing and silence took over.  No one noticed and no one applauded.  There was no recognition at all.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world.  He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.  Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.

Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities.

How many things are you missing this holiday season, as you rush through your days to get it all done?  Just like nature in her stillness of the approaching solstice, take some time to slow down and appreciate the beauty and miracle of the moment.

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Last night I went to hear the Tuvan Throat Singers and Stephen Kent perform in the cave tunnel at Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands. The event was produced by the Green Music Network.

The tunnel is perched far above the Golden Gate Bridge with a surreal view of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco City lights and the entire Bay. Several hundred creative catalysts, paradigm shifters, leaders, writers and artists were comfortably huddled inside, enjoying the perfect acoustics provided by the cave tunnel. What an absolute blessing to be here in the Mecca!

September 22, Fall Equinox, is when day and night are once again equal; time is in balance. In many cultural traditions, this time is often referred to as the Festival of Thanksgiving. It is the season to reap what we have sown from our spring planting- indeed a time of giving thanks!

It’s challenging to feel balance amidst so much uncertainty. Yin and Yang are continually in a state of flux and always looking for the balance point. Take some extra time for mediation this week, giving attention to inner equilibrium by balancing your inhale and exhale. We are all finding our way back home.

Many blessings on this day!

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For me, getting clear and staying balanced is an on-going process- it’s life-long learning and discipline!

Balance: What are your Daily Rituals?

Exercise, yoga, meditation, live, healthy food help create the anchors that allow us to “come back home” to ourselves. When I am feeling out of balance, it’s usually because I slipped out of self-discipline (why meditate when I can check e-mail?) and into some sort of unfocused swirl.

Choose daily rituals that support optimal life force – practices and habits that are cleansing, balancing, and clarifying. For me, a weekly mix of meditation, yoga, or dance along with time outdoors everyday and a mid-day, healthy, “green” meal helps keeps me grounded and in my body.

Clarity: What Makes You Come Alive?

To help you with this process:

1. Look at what you loved being, doing, feeling when you were between the ages of 7-14. These are the keys to your true passions.
2. Make a list of these activities/experiences. Did you love singing? How can you bring that back into your life now? Did you give up a dream? Bring it back, write it down as if it is happening now.
3. Ask Yourself: What’s the essence/sensation in these activities/experiences? As Abraham-Hicks says, “Move towards what feels good.”
4. Ask Yourself: What would I do if I knew I wouldn ‘t fail? Sit with this question. Write out 20-30 brave responses.
5. Create a Vision Board. Find images (on-line, your own photos & drawings, clips from magazines) that support these brave statements and serve as a mirror to your VISION. Giving attention to your Vision Board everyday will keep you focused on your vision, dreams and desires.Yes, that’s right, you CAN have that Now.“
6. Discover kinesiology and learn a few exercises combining mental images, movement and eye patterns. Releasing the mind clutter and reprograming/ retraining your brain (balancing the left and right hemispheres), creates space for the voice of clarity to speak through you. Negativity, fear, and paralyzing doubts come from confusion (lack of focus) and unfulfilled desires.
7. Share your vision and desires with others. We can’t do it alone- why would you want to? Own, love, and share your vision. It’s your responsibility.

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It was truly a wonderful way to refresh and rejuvenate, release a lot of monkey mind clutter, eat lightly, do yoga with community, and get clear on what’s important to me.

I imagine many of you have been to Maui, but if not, I highly, highly recommend the Hana Coast. I felt such a deep peace there and rate her exquisite beauty right along with several other of my favorite places: the Baleares Islands (Spain), the Cyclades (Greece), Bali, and several islands in Southern Thailand (Koh Lanta, Ko Samui, et. al.). Yes, I’m an island girl.

I re-discovered what CLARITY is on this journey and that no matter how many goal-setting programs/workshops we participate in, if we don’t SEE and FEEL the DESIRE for an intended reality (as if it is occurring NOW) then the goal remains just that- a wish on a list.

That’s why I am such an advocate of Vision Boards and Vision Statements. They are fantastic platforms for COLLABORATING and COMMUNICATING with OTHERS what we see US (you, me, them, ) CREATING. We are living in most amazing times of radical shifts and unprecedented change. Breathe into your heart and discover what makes YOU come ALIVE. Share Your Visions.

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