Come Together

I’ve just returned from a smooth jazz festival in Cancun.  Based on the line-up, I knew the music would be excellent but I hadn’t counted on it raining every day.   This could have ruined a beach vacation but instead restored my hope in humankind.

Moving the outdoor stage indoors due to the rain created extremely long delays.  Attendees grew agitated standing in the hot, crowded lobby waiting for a show 2 hours past due.  Several shrieking whistle calls and nearly universal “Shhh!” tried to temper angry shouts from the crowd blaring out explanation of the delay.   Even after the update, offer of chairs and cold drinks, some stiffly crossed their arms while drilling holes into the doors with their glaring eyes.

And then something happened.  Programmed music came on and a few started dancing.  And then a few more.  I could feel the shift.  More and more people began dancing until most of the grumbling lobby turned into a dance floor of good vibes and smiles.

Watching the people transform an unpleasant situation into an uplifting one was magic before my eyes.   (After that night, attendees danced to programmed music from any delay until show time.)

I think a lot of us learned from that experience — if the people come together and choose light, it will be light.  Just ask, “Do I feel better complaining or does it make me feel more miserable?  Does staying angry make me feel powerful,  in control?  Or do I feel better being part of the solution?”

A postscript…message received from a friend this evening…