Magic and beauty in the present moment: Lessons from singing circles”
Have You Ever Seen the Rain just played on my car radio, and it took me right back to the magic of singing gatherings—those moments when everyone is belting out a song together at the top of their lungs. I’ve experienced so many of these magic moments while singing and playing music in circles with others.
What’s fascinating is that these moments of magic, or beauty, are always in the moment. Beauty isn’t found in the future or in the past—it’s right here, right now, when we’re fully present.
Beauty Lives in Presence
Beauty happens when we’re deeply present, not when we’re busy planning ahead or letting our minds wander to far-off places. It’s a mind-less space, where the heart leads and life flows naturally.
This connection to beauty and presence is something I often weave into my work with metaphor and creativity. Whether it’s guiding students to step into a “third space” of inspiration or helping them recognize the metaphors at play in their lives, the lesson is the same: beauty emerges when we stop thinking and start feeling, seeing, and being.
Letting the Heart Lead
After years spent in school honing my thinking abilities, it’s a constant challenge for me to let go of my mind and trust my heart. Yet, I’ve come to see that my heart is connected to the pulse of life, while my mind often leads me into unnecessary messes that I then have to clean up.
When we allow our hearts to lead, we align ourselves with life’s natural rhythm. Creativity, beauty, and magic flow effortlessly when we’re present, trusting, and open.
Beauty in the Now
The more present I am, the more beauty I get to experience. This isn’t just about music or singing circles—it applies to everything. Whether I’m working with a client, writing, or simply walking in nature, beauty is always waiting to meet me in the present moment.
So today, let’s pause, breathe, and be here—fully. Beauty is already here, waiting for us to notice.
