After college, I was blessed enough to earn a media fellowship from the International Radio and Television Society. Every year, this New York City based organization picks 15 "fellows" from a pool of thousands of submissions sent by college seniors around the world. And this slightly "Manic Hispanic" was one of the 15 finalists for the IRTS class of 1993!
For me, this was more than a dream come true. It was a sure sign that my inclinations towards a career in the magical world of mass media was the start of my Hero's Journey. And what a helluva first step! The entire lot of this group of media maniacs ascended upon Greenwich Village in the heart of New York City for three months of pure BLISS. Each of us was granted an internship somewhere within the vast media landscape that NY affords. My fellowship was with Ann Liguori, a former fellow and well known sports broadcaster at the time. The other fellows were placed everywhere from The Today Show to Late Night with David Letterman. Zipadeedo! Right?! Not to mention, we were all given the number to the "bat phone." If we wanted Yankee's tickets, done deal. Four seats to the Lion King, just come to the box office. We were treated like media kings and queens. BLESSINGS!
Most of us had never been to the Big Apple prior to this experience. So everything seemed jaw dropping in scope. If things are always bigger in Texas, than New York demolished that mold and built its very own. In fact, the first week there, many of us had to be told of the dangers in constantly looking up at the gi-normous cityscape vistas that engulfed all our senses. Doing so made you an easy target for pickpocketers. Yet, "Jaw Drop Walking" as we came to term it, still imbued most of us during our daily jaunts around the city.
The student housing condo units where we stayed became our very own version of MTV's Real World. Thankfully, this particular group of fellows was filled with fun loving, genuinely thoughtful and caring people. The media world is often full of ultra competitive and hard charging folks. But we were ultra supportive toward one another and slowly built up friendships that still last to this very day. What a blessing had been bestown upon all of us lucky enough to be included in this particular IRTS class.
After putting in our full days at the office, we often spent our nights out on the town. Who wants to cook when you are in the middle of the cuisine capital of the world. No way, Jose! The group was pretty much evenly split between men and women. And while some of the other guys had to be prodded by the ladies, I was always up for dinner and a dance at the various hot spots around the city.
I've loved to dance since I was old enough to walk. My mantra has always been "first one on and last one off" any dance floor. My mom often had to pull me off the stage while "cutting a rug" at weddings for fear of dehydration. I'm a sweaty dancer, as much as a lover. Just sayin! Dancing always puts me in direct touch with my Super Heroic Higher Self. Anytime I am feeling disconnected from SPIRIT, one surefire way to reconnect with the TRUE me is through cranking up the stereo and shaking my tooshie! It's never let me down one time.
One particular evening, we came upon a club where it happened to be karaoke night. While some in the group were quite trepidatious at the notion of singing on stage in front of a group of strangers, I was ALL IN! Before I had a chance to buy a drink, that night's DJ called out my name. And so I hopped up on stage in front of a few hundred patrons and began to belt out Billy and The Beaters "What Do You Think I Would Give At This Moment." Always a "showman," I perused into the audience and grabbed a gorgeous young lady and brought her back on stage with me. I sat her down in a chair and began to dance around her while continuing with my crooning.
I got the entire crowd to join in on the fun, as they began to sway back and forth in the aisles. Their energy further fueled my own. The triple threat of music, singing and dancing transported me to a space filled with complete conscious clarity. Where you don't so much feel pure LOVE, but literally "live within it!" And dwelling in that space, any notion of separation was expelled into an endless summer recess. Each face in the crowd became a mirrored reflection of BLISS. And the waving arms became wings of fulfilled intentions. All forms of abundance was manifest into the ONE DREAM of DESIRE we all share. Dorothy, we were NOT in Kansas any longer! But rather the realm where the "Kingdom of Knowingness" reigns supreme. And dear Lord, if living this way is wrong, I DON'T WANNA BE RIGHT. ;0)
It was the very first time that I understood the concept of creating "Heaven on Earth." After hitting the last note of the song, I was embraced with a standing ovation from the audience. Instantly, I understood the appeal of constantly performing in front of a live crowd. It really is an indescribable rush of emotions. There is nothing quite like it. It's interesting that near the top of human fears is any form of public performing. From that moment I knew why. Yes, of course on an innate level there is the worry of what others will think about you. But from a more micro construct, it is the fear of showing true vulnerability. Of letting go of the familiar you; the comfort zone created in the hopes of never having to share your authentic self with the world. All to step into your Super Heroic Higher Self. "Am I good enough?" you ask yourself. Followed by, "What will be expected of me then? Can I handle the tasks that come with the Cape of my CALLING?" But as Marianne Willlaimson says, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. " AMEN.
About fifteen minutes later, I got a tap on my shoulder. It was the general manager of the club. He asked me if I was a professional performer. "Only in the shower," I shot back. LOL! He said he would be interested in talking to me about running their karaoke nights. HOLY SMOKES! Of course I had no desire to be the next "Karaoke King" of New York, but what an amazing acknowledgment. BLUSH. The rest of the fellows razzed me for weeks thereafter. All in good fun.
That long, bliss filled, once in a lifetime summer experience still resides deep within my core beingness. And it always will! It's a powerful part of the "many lessons" I've learned along the way. And I am still in contact with many of my former fellows. Most of whom have created stellar careers and continue carving out the lineage of their personal Legacies.
SUPER HEROES IN TRAINING TAKEAWAYS
Part of my job is writing. And I LOVE TO WRITE! Thank heavens, right?! It's a core part of my coaching business. I'm often at my computer for many hours on end pounding the keystrokes along with my dancing partner, SPIRIT. Our daily "waltzes" create the divine connections that manifest all my writing content. THANK YOU SPIRIT! Love ya so much.
But in addition to my daily dalliances with SPIRIT, I also make sure to take at least one real "dance break" every single day. And I highly suggest that you do too! The dynamic duo of music and dancing is incredibly powerful. It is one of the top ten fastest ways in which to "speed up" your personal energetic vibration. The higher your vibrational offering to the Universe, the greater your connection to SPIRIT. The great I AM. Where you have instant access to Infinite Intelligence. Which not only revs up your creative juices, but also strengthens the flow of abundance in ALL its forms into your experience.
Dancing is a tangible form of "letting go and letting God." It assists in freeing you from restrictions that have been solidified as blocks within your mindset. As you move in complete freedom of expression, you loosen up and stop forcing your FAITH. Similar in fashion to meditation, dancing centers you fully in the NOW. And you stop overthinking and begin to go with the flow of the music and life.
In the book Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill, he states the top 10 mind stimuli.
"The human mind responds to stimuli through which it may be 'keyed up' to
high rates of vibration, known as enthusiasm, creative imagination, intense desire, etc.
The stimulate to which the mind responds most freely are:"
1. The desire for sex expression
2. Love
3. A burning desire for fame, power, financial gain, money
4. MUSIC
5. Friendship between either those of the same or opposite sex
6. A Master Mind alliance based upon the harmony of two or more people
7. Mutual suffering, such as that experienced by people who are persecuted
8. Autosuggestion
9. Fear
10. Narcotics and alcohol
BOOM! Music is the 4th post powerful mind stimuli. And when paired up with the physical act of dancing, they become a Miracle Makin Mind Machine. When you are in the moment through dance, your vibration grants you access to the space of CREATIVE GENIUS! Part of your "sixth sense." What I call "The Silent Whisper" becomes your new dance partner. And as it whisks you around the dance floor, it whispers hunches, plans, and strong senses of intuitive knowingness into your understanding. All to be used for your higher good. To find and follow your personal CALLING on your Hero's Journey. And it feels OH so good. Yummy in your tummy........................
So even if you were blessed with "two left feet," there is nothing stopping you from starting small with a little head nodding and toe tapping to one of your favorite songs. Before you know it, the feelings you begin to generate will empower your movements to transcend any thoughts of limitations. Even on the dance floor. My suggestion is that you take daily dance breaks wherever you are. And please don't worry what others may think! Heck, many times I've invited folks into my dance sessions so they can see what all the fuss is about. I have a hunch it will quickly become your next HEROIC HABIT!
For a dance a day, keeps the negative thoughts at bay........................
BE SUPER HEROIC!
Nerdmaste,
Jeffrey Louis Martinez
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