Professional Be-Bop

Yesterday I was feeling blue, but moving through the day as if, as if all is well. I ran some errands over my lunch hour and had the music playing, loud, to soothe my soul and boost my spirits, as it usually does.

One of my favorite beat inducing artists came on and I found myself tapping my foot lightly, patting the gear shifter, nodding my head just ever so slightly and mumbling-almost-lip-syncing the lyrics – truly a lackluster  attempt to be moved by the music as I drove through town.

Still pondering my mood and it’s source,  I noticed, or rather felt movement, on my left as I pulled up to a stoplight.  The woman in the car in the lane next to mine was simply, rocking out. She was totally jamming to the music!  She was behind the wheel of a fancy black sedan, shiny and well maintained. Without staring, I could tell she was a  professional woman, probably in her 50’s and maybe even early 60’s. Short dark hair nicely done, but not quite coiffed. Styled. Stylish. Yes, I could even tell she was wearing a suit. She looked so well put together. Fancy sunglasses, some highlights in her hair. I promise, I didn’t stare. Or stalk. Or snap.  I really wanted to take a picture and I didn’t.

You can exhale now.

I couldn’t help it; she was really rocking out. Hands in percussion-like movement across the steering wheel and gear shifter, lips moving with the words, body engaged in car-dancing. Completely in tune with the music.

Before I knew it, I was smiling.  My heart lifted, my eyes brightened. I was delighted by her joy, her lightness and her pure enjoyment in the moment.   I was moved by her obvious happiness.  I was actually disappointed when the light turned green and as I drove on past her, I turned and gave her a quick smile; I somehow wanted her to know that her happiness was contagious.   I have no idea what she was listening to, but I decided in that moment that she was grooving along with the same song I was. She just had to be.

As I turned up the stereo a little bit more, it occurred to me how we can make an impact others when we don’t even know it. When we have no idea that others even see us, notice us. We matter.

My professional be-bop lady was happy, she was IN her moment; all she had to do was be happy and I got to benefit.  From that point on my day took on more shades of yellow and much less of the blue.  I wish I could thank her, let her know how much she brightened my day, lifted my spirits and gave me something to smile about.

Have a be-bop kind of day; go ahead and rock out – you just might make someone’s day!  Here is what Bonnie and her Be-bop lady were listening to: