Print this pageI Know It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll …
June 3, 2009
I may be 47, but damn, I like rock ‘n roll, and all kinds of music.
During the Clinton Global Initiative last September, I was sitting on an aisle chair right near the stage. Former President Bill Clinton always plays good music before the start of each general session. I was in a “let’s rock this place” attitude and ready for the conference to begin with the opening Clinton-facilitated panel. It was entitled A Call to Action with Al Gore, Queen Rania of Jordan, Neville Isdell (Chairman of Coca-Cola), President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia and U2 lead singer Bono.
During the conversation I noticed Bono waving discreetly and giving a peace sign in my general direction. Could he actually be trying to communicate with me? The room included some of the world’s most high-powered politicians, international business leaders, philanthropists, celebrit
ies and heads of state. Why is he trying to get my attention? I waved back, and received a thumbs up and another peace sign. Oh yes, a smile too. During the rest of this opening discussion there was a knowing understanding between us … it was as if we were listening to the same beat from the same drum, even though there wasn’t any music playing in the room. Maybe this is what they mean by catching someone’s vibes.
You might ask what this has to do with sustainability, grassroots movements or new paradigms. Maybe nothing … Maybe everything …
Have you ever noticed that you can’t just listen to a good beat without moving your body? Movement is natural to beats and rhythms. And perhaps all authentic grassroots movements are in a dance with the pulsation and the beats and rhythms of the times.
I wonder about the undercurrent rhythms and beats of our time of climate, social and economic crisis. What is it that wants to be heard? What is it that gets expressed through our youth, films, music, even emotions like anger?
Maybe a grassroots movement is a thousand or so people all tapping into and hearing the same music/message and moving, like taking action.
I know as a community leader and a yoga teacher and leader of my family, the truth is, at the very essence, I’m really a follower.
I follow a vision. A vision of a future where peace and respect for the planet and for each other is a way of life. When I read the words of John Lennon or the Dalai Lama or even poems from elementary schoolchildren, I hear myself in their words. I know they’re following the same vision I am.
This kind of vision doesn’t belong to anybody. You sort of surrender to it. For me this vision lives 
more like listening. I hear it in music. When I listen to Michael Franti, I’m pumped to live the life I was born to do. I believe John Lennon and actually know that the people have really had the power all along. Mozart brings me to a sublime innocence. Hearing Miles Davis, I’m transported to an open world where creativity drips off the walls and a carefree effervescence rises within my being. U2 always makes me feel like rock ‘n roll can change the world.
Then, there’s the natural movement that accompanies hearing the rhythms and beats. Movement to take action. Action that feels good, action that feels right, action that feeds on itself, where you get energized, because you’re in a dance with life.
A true call to action is life’s dance.
We were all put here to leave our mark. A meaningful mark. One where we danced our unique dance in rhythym and time with the beats of our calling.
What do you hear when you listen to music? When do you dance? What is your calling? What’s your favorite song? When was the last time you cut loose?
If you were part of a grassroots movement, what would your movement be in a dance with? What would your movement be hearing?
And then again, maybe, it’s only rock ‘n roll … no more meaning than that. But you know what? I like it.