Yes, You can

Yes, you can choose your joy and live it. Even in the mundane. Even when there’s fear. Authenticity is often found in the simplest of places.

It was a warm April evening when I made my way to JFK, for my first trip to Panama.

When I purchased my ticket, it came with a 10 hour layover in Miami. My immediate response was YEAH!

The intuitive impulse of soul joy gave me the next steps to take. I messaged my friend Rich, who had done his undergrad in Miami (and was also my favorite groove-tastic DJ) to ask “What are your favorite spots to boogie in Miami?”

Within the hour, I had 4 options.

With excitement in my bones and the kind of electricity that only the beat of a good song can gift you, I looked up who was playing Thursday night.

One stood above all else. I felt it in my soul. The zing, the calm excitement of inner knowing that this was exactly where I was meant to be on Thursday night.

Could I have slept in the airport floor and waited till my next flight? I sure could have!

But this was sooooo much better. There was not an ounce of doubt in trusting my desire, saying yes to the excitement of the unknown and doing something that I loved and spoke to my soul. Weeeeeeee!

I landed in Miami at 10pm and made my way into the city.

The lewk of my night was this. A black hat, black tank with a long sweater, green flow elephant pants from Thailand, slip on lounge shoes, and a colorful rucksack from Mexico. Definitely airport chic (and not exactly Miami club attire but that was alright with me! I knew if I’d be turned away because of my clothing, something else magical would unfold).

I got to the space in a fantastic mood, curious and excited about this new place. The line into the club was about 20 people deep and I hopped over to the end.

Waited about 7 minutes before what looked like “the one who permits you in” exited from the entrance door.

He looked up from his clipboard, made eye contact with me and without an ounce of hesitation, motioned for me to come to the front.

I passed the line and was brought inside.

I was hit immediately with cigarette smoke (which shocked me because you’re not allowed to smoke indoors in nyc) and the place was packed!

Tighter the sardines.

I tuned into my inner compass and started to make my way towards the DJ booth to place my bag in an incognito spot and start to groove.

The music was FIYAH and it felt so good to say yes to this truth. To dance and do what I most loved to do in that moment.

I danced from 11pm to 5am, sober.

I wasn’t a drinker and I didn’t like having a drink in my hand when I grooved.

Throughout the night, I met and connected with so many unique people.

The common thread for each of them was this question to me…

“You’re here alone?” … always with a tone of shock in the ask.

Yes, I was there alone. And it was wonderful.

It was always fascinating to me that so many people wouldn’t do something like this alone. But I also understood fear was a powerful energy, and if given allowance, would limit what one would or would not choose to do in their life.

In choosing my joy, it became a mirror for what was possible.

Loving reminder, dear one. Even if there’s fear, there is courage within to choose what you love and what supports your joy.

Yes, it is possible to go out alone.

Yes, you can have a great time.

Yes, you can do what you love and love yourself.

Yes, you can meet amazing people in the process.

The last group of people I met where my favorite.

They were a group of about 5 or so men from Argentina, having a grand old time. When they learned I was there on a layover and chose to embrace my joy and come to dance, they shared with me how much they loved this. They also deeply respected the space I held.

They're joy amplified my joy and we danced together for hours!

By 5am, it was just me with a few others left at the club and as I slowed down, took a deep breath and saw the space empty for the first time, I felt my feet on the beautiful artisanal rug, deep gratitude and fulfillment.

I trusted myself.

With a big smile, I gathered my bag, made my way back to the airport to meet another friend who was arriving for his layover, and we flew to join our soul fam for what would be an epic trip to Panama.