The gray days of January have descended on Minnesota. The snow that was lovely and romantic in December is now icy, dirty and depressing. The sun has taken itself to other parts of the world. People are finding comfort in steaming bowls of soup. Many people I talk to speak of the desire to spend the majority of the day in their pajamas. It is a human nod at hibernating, I think.

A couple of days ago I was sitting at my desk allowing the grayness of the day to wash over me. I opened an email from a friend who sent me a link to a Youtube video with the words"to make you smile." And it certainly did. The video takes place in the Antwerp train station….a place which probably has its own gray days. The ordinary daily travel of commuters, shoppers, students and others is represented from an aerial view. Suddenly the soundtrack from the Sound of Music blares from the speakers. Julie Andrews as Maria von Trapp begins to sing 'Do Re Mi'. Eyes shift skyward to gauge what is happening when a young man begins to dance in the center of station rotunda. Before you know it dancers are coming from everywhere, dressed in ordinary clothes as if simply moving toward their train. Backpacks are dropped to the ground as dance and so much more erupts. Observers begin to sway, sing along, even join in the fun. What started out for many as an ordinary commute became a transformative day. 

Now I have to admit that I am a huge fan of all musicals. I can sing nearly every song from many and identify songs from others. For me the idea that people might break into song at any moment seems like something that should be possible. Do you agree? The idea that we might be moved to sing a chorus at the end of a well executed project seems reasonable. The hope that we might sing a song of encouragement to our children seems admirable. The possibility of singing our love to friends and family seems a thing to encourage.

And yet we don't break into song. We don't dance openly, with everyone watching, lest people think we've gone a little loony. So, as I watched these people be lifted above the ordinary of their day by the gift of music, dance and the sheer surprise of it all, I not only smiled but tears of joy spilled from my eyes. Who knows but what that act by complete stranger may have filled a casual commuter with the hope they desperately needed? Who knows how the surprise of being suddenly a part of something so beautiful and full caused those ordinary people to do equally surprising and beautiful acts the rest of their day? Who knows if those who stood on the sidelines were found singing louder in the shower and dancing in their living rooms? 

All I know is that for the few minutes I watched, I forgot about the gray day, about all that had not been accomplished, about the world's problems in which I feel helpless.It was a spirit lifter.  I was filled with Julie Andrews' voice and it became a mantra:"When you know the notes to sing, you can sing most anything!" 

I was told this video has been around awhile but if you haven't seen it, you can go to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?=7EYAUazLI9k&annotation_id=annotation_72265&feature=iv

Have a blessed weekend……..