Have you ever had one of those moments of synchronicity that make you marvel at the universe? Do you sometimes experience a coincidence that is beyond explanation? Has a sudden hunch ever caused you to shift directions in a profound way?

If you’ve ever doubted that we live in a non-linear universe, it’s moments like these that really make you wonder. There are so many cases of the best-laid plans going sideways or a foregone conclusion being proven wrong that illuminate the mysterious nature of our universe that the effort of making predictions sometimes seems futile.

What you might find obvious if you really look beneath the surface is that nature loves long odds, and just because statistics might seem otherwise, long shots can and do happen. The magic of existence is that intention and belief can circumvent improbabilities more often that not.

Today in the USA is our national holiday dedicated to the honor ofDr. Martin Luther King Jr. Rarely does the world see an example of such a leader whose belief and dedication caused such a seismic shift in society. His story is full of amazing moments, one of which relates to something I just experienced.

Last Friday night I was on my way to DJ at Dance Jam, driving down San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley. At a stop light, I found myself squinting to read a bumper sticker on the car ahead of me, while listening to NPR on the radio.

On the radio was a fascinating review of David Letterman’s new monthly interview program on Netflix called: “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.” Barack Obama is his first guest on the show, and they were playing an excerpt from the interview.

Obama was talking about the current media landscape and was sharing an anecdote about Senator Daniel Moynihan’s heated exchange with an opposition party member. I’m listening to this as my eyes are able to make out the words on the bumper sticker ahead of me, and a feeling of disbelief starts to come over me.

At precisely the moment I’m reading the words on the bumper sticker, Barack Obama is quoting Moynihan on the radio saying the exact same thing — “You are entitled to your own opinions, but not to your own facts.” Needless to say, it was a mind-blown moment, and had me howling with glee! Random magic of the universe demonstrated once again, proof positive that our non-linear world is beyond explanation.

Which leads me to a little-known part of the Martin Luther King story that I recently learned, where a sudden impulse on his part literally changed the course of history. Speaking to an estimated audience of 250,000 people gathered on the lawn at the Washington Mall during the August 28th, 1963 civil rights March on Washington, he was reading from a prepared text that started as a rough draft penned by Clarence Jones, his chief speechwriter.

As his time on the stage was drawing to a close, and with the eyes of millions of Americans watching on live television, he paused briefly and the voice of gospel singer Mahalia Jackson who was standing nearby cried out and cut through the clamor. “Tell ‘em about the dream, Martin!”

In that split second, when he chose to lay the written speech aside and speak directly from the heart, the tide turned in the civil rights movement, and quite possibly the most important words ever uttered in public in the 20th century were spoken.

Beginning with “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed, ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’” he went on to lay down a patriotic bedrock notion of equality that remains a gold standard for human rights around the world to this day.

History hinges upon turning points like this, and while society still has a long way to go when it comes to peace, love, and equality, it’s important to recognize and honor those moments when sudden shifts usher in profound change.

Finding the freedom to flow and dance with the random moments of synchronicity is the key to letting your life unfold with ease and grace. You just never really know which way your world is going to wiggle, but we can all learn a lesson from Martin and set aside our plans when the time is ripe.

you can hold a high vibe and positive intention in your internal state and be ready to seize the magic when it shows up!

May your week be filled with freedom and love and kindness light your way!

M+

Mark Metz
Director of the Dance First Association
Publisher of Conscious Dancer Magazine

DANCE FIRST MEMBER SPOTLIGHT – MADRONA MINDBODY INSTITUTE, PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON

This week we shine the beam on a renowned group of leaders holding space for conscious dance and somatic movement in the Pacific Northwest.

Madrona MindBody Institute is an epic destination housed in the historic environs of a 434 acre former military base, now Fort Warden State Park, situated on the edge of the spectacular Puget Sound.

“Your Sanctuary for Conscious Living and the Moving Arts” Madrona MindBody hosts a variety of weekly classes including Nia, Feldenkrais, Yoga, Qi Gong, Contact Improv, Open Floor, and more. They also offer a full range of bodywork and massage services.

They are also one of the West Coast’s premiere destinations for retreats, workshops live concerts, and teacher trainings. Headquarters for the Soul Motion trainings of Vinn Arjuna Martí, coordinated by Madrona co-founder Aletia Alvarez, they are very much on the map for traveling international facilitators such as Movement Medicine’s Ya’Acov Darling Khan who is holding the Phoenix Retreat there starting January 30th.

With charming lodging options and a vibrant community, Madrona MindBody is a must-add to your Pacific Northwest itinerary. We’re so happy to include Madrona as a member of the Dance First community, and recommend that you include them in your plans!

Visit the Madrona MindBody website to learn more!