Creative Calm Connected: A lesson in living in the moment

On Saturday night I went to the Keith Urban concert. It was the BEST concert I have ever been to. And I have been to a lot of live shows having worked for Ticketek for a number of years when I was a bit younger.

It was always going to be a special night because my Aunty was coming with me and we are both huge fans. I have been to a Keith Urban concert before and had a great time. He is a wonderful artist, so talented and still humble and grateful for the life he leads.

But what happened at that show was more than that (which is amazing on its own). It was a beautiful Canberra summer evening, warm with clear skies. With the first guitar chord, the whole crowd stood, cheered, and the energy in the stadium changed. It became electric. Souls united in a common love of good music. The sun set, the stars and moon came out and soft breeze gently cooled us as we danced and sung our hearts out.

There is something very special about attending a live music event. A magical transformation from the every day to the BEST day. When you truly let yourself go, sing like no one is listening, dance like no one is watching, just being in the moment. Feeling the music deep within you, united with every other person in the place in a few hours of pure joy.

And that’s what I think is so special about that night. Both Keith Urban and most people in the crowd really just lived in that moment. There is something quite mesmerising about watching a talented artist do their thing. But Keith more than most. He can really play the guitar. And the utter joy that drips off him when he does is infectious. Several times throughout the night I watched him get so into his guitar solos that he seemed both so present yet so far away. Really here in the moment, but at the same time, transported to a place deep within where it almost felt voyeuristic to watch.

Image credit: RIchard Gabriel Ford/WireImage via Eonline.com

I caught myself several times throughout the night looking up to the heavens, taking a big breath in and thanking the Universe for this moment. I thought “more of this please”. More of this feeling of joy. Of being connected to myself and others. Of feeling united with other people in a common goal. Imagine if we could harness the type of energy that was in GIO Stadium on Saturday night and use it in our every day lives to bring that same sense of joy and connectedness to those we interact with. Imagine if we could carry that feeling with us into every area of our lives, sharing it, spreading it, making it grow.

I’m going to try it. There is so much hype about mindfulness recently, and this was a really good demonstration for me about how being present in this moment right now, can be so rewarding.