This must have been eight or ten years ago — It was after one of my Saturday night services at Albuquerque Center for Spiritual Living. I was going in multiple directions at once, trying to have three simultaneous conversations, and I called across the foyer to tell Patty Stephens that I had my key in my pocket. I don’t remember if it was my car key, or the building key, or what. But it didn’t matter, because what came out was, “I’ve got my song in my pocket.”

Patty and I looked at each other, then, laughing, said in unison, “Great title!” It’s been kicking around in my brain ever since, for the better part of a decade.

It seems pretty obvious to me that this verbal slip-up happened not just because of who Patty is, and not just because of who I am, but because of who we are together. I may or may not, in fact, have had a key in my pocket. But I can say for sure that we’ve always got some music in there. Often the songs in our pockets feel about to pop a button as they burst forth. It’s one of my favorite things about our friendship: that at any moment there might be spontaneous song. It’s a rowdy, rousing, creative freedom.

I think one of the special things about this kind of freedom is that it truly lives in the space between. It happens when we share ourselves with each other. Yeah, we can all create on our own, too, and that’s great. But for me, the synergy, chemistry, and alchemy of togetherness is what really sparks something.

Everyone’s heard the quote, “Sing like nobody’s listening, dance like nobody’s watching, love like you’ve never been hurt, and live like it’s heaven on earth.” This is a really sweet invitation to self-express for the sheer joy of it, to let go of our fear of each other’s judgement. I love the sentiment

And I also think there’s something even more marvelous when we can sing, love, dance, and live with the full knowledge that others do, indeed, see and hear us.

Relationships and communities where it feels safe and fun to dance like everybody’s watching. And finding that not only is this okay, it can even be magical. Because we discover that our being and self-expression matter to each other. And our willingness to be seen and heard is reciprocal, inspiring others to do the same, in their own unique ways. And then the Whole, gradually revealed, can be recognized ever-greater than the sum of its parts.

I love this poem by Hafiz:

Both of our mouths
Can fit upon this flute I carry.

My music will sound
So much sweeter that way,
With your breath and my breath
Poking each other in the ribs
And kissing.

I saw two birds on a limb this morning
Laughing with the sun.
They reminded me of how
We will one day exist.

My dear,
Keep thinking about Spirit,
Keep thinking about the Beloved,
And soon our nest will be the
Whole Firmament.

Both our hearts are meant to sing.
Both our souls are destined to touch
And kiss
Upon this holy flute
God carries.

Oscar Butler will be joining us as a special musical guest this week!

I can’t wait to see you on Sunday, August 11, 10:00am at q-Staff Theatre, at 400 Broadway Blvd. SE. That’s on the southeast corner of Broadway and Lead. There are a number of easy-access parking spaces right in front of the theater. But if you don’t mind a stroll, and want to leave those rockstar spots for those who need them, there’s plenty of parking up and down Broadway and east on Arno and Edith. XO, Drew

©2024 Drew Groves