Walking early on a Sunday morning, I hear music playing loudly down the street. I realize it's coming from a parked car up ahead across from the Public Library. It's about 7:30 am. 

My initial reaction -- Pretty loud for so early on a Sunday in a residential neighborhood. Then I see a young man near the car either placing gear in the back seat or removing it. He's standing near the curb I'm about to walk by.

I've been upgrading my personal operating system this year, which mainly means noticing all the times I'm quick to judge just about anything and anyone. I catch myself a lot, but I can't help but notice this tendency to make quick assessments, like "Pretty loud for a Sunday morning". 

So when I'm about 10 yards away from the car I begin to dance, and I do a walking dance toward him with a big smile on my face. It's great music--I don't recognize it, but I love the beat and the sound.

He looks up, sees me and gets a big smile as well, and begins to move a little to the beat. 

I continue my dance-walk as I gradually go by. No words are spoken, the whole interaction is eye contact and smiles, all of about 15 seconds. I'm still smiling as I get to the end of the block.

God Winks

The pastor of my congregational church calls this a God wink. I didn't totally get it until that moment.

I think about all the possible choices I might have made in that "Pretty loud" moment of judgment. Walk on by, avoid eye contact? Look for eye contact from the driver before I do anything? Smile, don't smile? Cross the street and avoid the situation altogether? I'm sure there are more. 

Interesting that I didn't think at all about my choice. My body just started dancing. 

I hope this is the new operating system upgrade I'm moving toward. Call it the Best Self Upgrade.

Life offers gifts--call them God winks, little miracles, happy surprises, or whatever.

They're there, if I look.

Good ki!