Let me explain a little bit about what The Rhythm Social Experiment is.
As a morning ritual, I play the djembe to wake up every day. I breathe, connect, play and express my groove as I start my day. It fuels me up and charges my soul battery. Then one morning, it hit me. If I could help charge someone else's battery in the process, that would make my soul even happier.
For 21 days, I went out in the community playing for 15 minutes each morning at 7:30am. Why? Because I felt like it was time to play for those that needed to receive good positive energy in the morning.
So The Rhythm Social Experiment was born. With a few percussion toys for anyone who felt inspired to play and shake along with me, my intention was to help people connect and spread some good vibes and positive thoughts at the top of the morning.
DAY 1........INTO THE UNKNOWN
I didn't know what to expect playing so early in the morning on Main Street in front of an unrehearsed audience.......But this is life in real time. No more time for practice. Just do it, feel it, express it.
The experience was amazing on many levels and I'm still processing all of it as I write this first blog post.
There were a few folks walking to work with their headphones on. Not paying much attention. I started singing this mantra as I was playing watching the cars go by. "We're all just looking for direction" The lyric came to me because most of the people seemed to be looking straight ahead not paying any attention to me (the djembe drummer in the square at 7:30am) But after a few moments, it didn't matter. None of it did. I was just part of the landscape. Then a profound thought struck me..... We can pay attention to it or we can keep looking down and choose to not experience what might be out there. Read More....
Day 2 Ritual
Something about day 2 of anything makes you feel like your climbing up a mountain. But it is a productive habit. a healthy routine, a great ritual in the morning. I enjoy the drive over to the square. Sip some hot coffee and focus on the groove.
I was speaking with someone in town recently about the idea of ritual. The essence of our conversation surrounding habit and routine. He shared his thoughts with me and said, "Don't let ritual control you --- YOU control the ritual. "
What an empowering thought.
So I begin to shape and control the ritual in the morning.
Shakers and beat box flow from my heart and fingertips on day 2.
Also had a duet with the garbage man earlier in the set . He didn't realize he was in the band making music with me.