We Are All In The Same Boat!

August 30, 2009

Dear Friends,

Two weeks ago I wrote about a small miracle I experienced during the annual gathering in Pacific Grove, California, of the United Centers for Spiritual Living. Today I want to describe another miracle that occurred during that week-long event at the Asilomar Conference Center.

This miracle involved a new friend of mine, Jeanette Alexander of Seattle, Washington. Jeanette is a wonderful composer/pianist, and her beautiful instrumental pieces truly touch the heart.

One evening, anyone attending the conference was invited to participate in a talent show. Even though Jeanette rarely sings, she had just written a song that she wanted to perform while she played the piano . . . and she wanted to have some additional musical accompaniment, as well.

Although this conference always hires a large group of accomplished, professional musicians to play at the general sessions, Jeannette only asked two musicians she already knew to join her.

Well, events at this conference usually start very early in the morning, and they end very late in the evening. And on this particular night, right before it was Jeanette’s turn to perform, the musicians who had agreed to accompany her were so exhausted, they excused themselves early—with apologies—and went back to their rooms.

To say that Jeanette was disappointed would be an understatement. Performing solo was not her desire, and not what she had signed up to do. She was really counting on having the musical support she needed to make her song come alive in the way she heard it in her mind.

For a while, Jeanette considered dropping out of the show. But something inside of Jeanette urged her to perform anyway, and she decided to heed that internal nudge. She took the stage, sat down at the piano, and announced that she had not planned to perform by herself, but she was willing to do it.

As she started to play and sing, guess what happened? The drummer she had asked to accompany her had not yet left the building. And when he heard Jeanette, he hurried onto the stage, sat down at his drum set, and began to play along.

Then, a bass guitarist—someone Jeanette had not previously asked to help her—walked onto the stage, picked up his guitar, and added a bass line to the piece.

Within a few more moments, an acoustic guitarist joined in. And finally, one more musician stepped in and started playing his flute.

Right before the eyes (and ears) of the audience, what began as a solo number was evolving into a full-fledged performance by a well-coordinated ensemble.

Jeanette was so elated by what was miraculously manifesting, she smiled at the audience and sang out, “I’ve got me a band!” But this wasn’t just any band. For the most part, this band was comprised of the highly acclaimed musicians who had been hired by the conference. It was a group of very talented artists that Jeanette had long desired to play with . . . and now—unexpectedly—it was happening!

The way that Jeanette’s piece expanded right there on the spot was even better than Jeanette’s original intention. And everyone in the audience was profoundly touched by the magic of that moment.

So, what’s the “moral” of this story? It is something I mention quite often in these weekly messages. It is simply that fact that when it comes to living life in the divine flow, we are all “in the same boat!” We all need the help of each other to get “down the stream” to fulfill our mutual dreams.

Each musician who stepped onto that stage sensed that truth within himself, and felt divinely inspired to come to the assistance of a fellow traveler—to literally play the part that he was being divinely directed to play so another’s dream could be fulfilled.

One day soon, you, too, will feel called to aid someone on his or her journey. And you can rest assured, that after you render that assistance, you will be blessed in a similar manner.

Trust that the Universe knows what you need, it knows who can help you, and it is always encouraging those helpful people to come to your assistance.

By the way, guess what Jeanette’s song was about? It was about getting where you want to go in life “on a wing and a prayer”—knowing that Spirit is always there to support you.

How incredibly appropriate.

Steven

P.S. For more information about Jeanette’s music, visit her website at www.JeanetteAlexanderMusic.com.

© 2009 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com