I’d had a long day in New York City. A day of shopping, visiting friends, riding in crowded subways, and walking blocks in boots that looked great butwere hard on my feet. By the time I got to Grand Central to catch my train back home, I was weary, worn out and feeling slightly sorry for myself.
Something had happened that evening that had made me question my value and my choices. I won’t go into detail. I’ll only say that as I entered the lobby of the Grand Central, I was locked inside a dark emotional cloud of doubt, regret and discouragement.
Then, I heard it. The sound of singing. Christmas carols, sung by a choir.
I looked up and around, trying to figure where the sound was coming from. Then, I saw them, a choir of maybe 20-30 men and women, standing on the marble stairs at one end of the lobby, holding their songbooks and singing acapella, “Joy To The World.” A crowd had formed at the bottom of the stairs to listen, and I joined them.
For about four minutes, I stood and listened, transfixed by the beauty of the simple harmonies and the sweet familiarity of carols. Touched by this unexpected gift of ethereal music, and grateful that my train didn’t leave for another 10 minutes, I could feel my heart break open and tears stream down my face. My dark cloud of self-pity vanished as I surrendered to the grace of this seeming miraculous gift of harmony, melody and verse.
It was as if God had sent this choir to comfort and uplift every hurried, preoccupied train traveler who passed through Grand Central that night. It felt like a Christmas miracle to me.
Now, weeks later, I’ve been thinking about how so many of the magical moments in life are really the result of someone’s hard work, someone’s creative dedication and consistency. While it only took a moment for the sound of this choir to crack through my sullen mood and awaken my heart to grace, that moment never would have happened if each person in that choir hadn’t invested many dedicated hours to their craft. It never would have happened if the choir’s conductor hadn’t dedicated himself to the music and the talent of his choir.
To me, as a bystander, it was as if they’d all descended from heaven to give me some heavenly gift. But in reality, every person in that choir had spent hours upon hours practicing, together as well as alone, learning their parts, going to rehearsal and refining the balance of their unified sound.
Then, each one got themselves down to Grand Central on the chilly night, stood in formation on the stairs and sang… until the security guard made them move on (No lie. While I was listening that night, a security guard approached the conductor and told him his choir would have to get off of the stairs). And not one of them knew, I’m sure, the effect they’d had on this tired, gloomy traveler. They were simply there, doing what they do, choosing to share their carols with a crowd of strangers.
Perhaps something similar has happened to you. There was a time or two when someone said the right thing at the right time. Or something – a song, a phrase, a photo, a poem – touched you deeply, directly, and in a way you’ll never forget. Think about it. Hasn’t there been miraculous, magical moments in your life that were made possible because of somebody else’s dedication to their art, their spiritual life, their personal growth or their work?
When we are experiencing those miracle moments that touch the core of who we are, those moments that feel like prayers answered, we are often so overcome and humbled by them that we forget they were made possible by the consistent, steady work of someone… or something. Whether it’s the doo-wop group singing in the 42nd Street subway station, the unexpected yet much needed offer of help from a friend, that sublime sentence in the book you’re reading, the sweet silence of your partner listening as you speak your heart, the opening stanzas of an opera overture or the lyrics of timeless tune.
There is an exquisite, divine synchronicity wherein someone’s expression of their work – whether it be their own deep personal work or the work they do in the world – meets and locks into that aching place in our hearts that is seeking, yearning or ready to awaken.
As an entrepreneur or artist, you must remember this. Because it is your consistent, dedicated work that creates miracles in the lives of others. By committing to your work, art, or craft and taking consistent, aligned action in service to that work, art or craft, you create something that has the power to transform, to heal, to uplift, to serve others in ways of which you may never be aware. What to you is merely a natural, logical expression of yourself or your work – like a choir singing a carol they’ve practiced for weeks – has the power to perform miracles in the lives of others.
And, like that choir in Grand Central, you may never know the impact you’ve had on another as a result of your hard work. But that really doesn’t matter. Because, in the end, your continuous practice and consistency are the gifts you give yourself. It is the way you allow yourself to fully participate in the joy and flow of creation, to become more of who you really are and splash about in the river of life.
So, the next time you are feeling resistant to doing what you’ve been called to do, the next time you think “What’s the point? Who cares?” or you doubt your ability in any way, remember, it is by your dedicated, consistent work that miracles are made.
It may not feel like it, as you move through your days or struggle to create a new program, product or work of art, but you are contributing to that exquisite synchronicity when who you are and what you offer touches and transforms someone’s life.
And in the spirit of the gift that was given me by that choir in Grand Central, I want to offer you the opportunity to receive the support you need to make a new (or renewed) commitment to the kind of consistency that creates miracles. It’s called Just An Hour. It’s a 30-day program, starting on January 1, 2012, that offers you the daily inspiration, encouragement and accountability you need to consistently commit one hour, every day, for 30 days, to a specific project or practice that is calling to you.
Because let’s face it. As solo entrepreneurs, sometimes, we need some support and encouragement. We’re always “going it alone” so often. And we also could use some loving accountability to the commitments we make to ourselves, don’t you think?
The people who have participated in Just An Hour in past months have created many sweet miracles for themselves and each other. It’s amazing what can happen when you choose to do that thing you’ve been wanting to do… whether it’s that book you want to write, that class you want to take, that project you’ve been meaning to start.
So, I hope you’ll consider join us in January, but either way, may you stay true and steady in your work and your art, and know that it is your consistent, aligned action that creates miracles, in your life and the lives of others.