In January 1, 2007 in the wee hours of the morning as folks stood on Naima and Alixa’s roof declaring intentions for their year, I professed that 2007 for me, would be about “follow[ing] the white rabbit.”  That year I had so many miracles and coincidences happen I thought that I really WAS Neo.

Naima and Alixa are led in their lives by coincidence, or signs, that demonstrates when they are moving with the guidance of something much bigger than their “plans”.  That spiritual yellow brick road has been re-revealed to me.  And it’s always so exciting when you hear something, it is repeated in a billboard, then again in a magazine article, then again in a facebook status update, then again in a K’Naan song, then again on a t-shirt of a random person in the audience at a Hurricane Season show.  It makes your breath catch for a moment, the corners of your mouth creep slowly, slowly toward your ears, your head feels pulled to the sky.  And you want to feel that way always.

It’s even more special when you witness it happen with others – a shared moment of magic.  Like the time the crew was stuck between Portland and Arcata and Sugarcube wouldn’t start.  Pippi had been working on it for nearly an hour.  I had been sleeping on the bus, oblivious to our breakdown.  Alixa was holding the flashlight and offering ideas as to possible solutions; the rest of the crew was standing in the rest stop picnic area.  Pippi was getting visibly exhausted starting and restarting the bus, attempting to have it turn over.  Alixa asked me to pray.  I said a silent prayer that went something like, “Yo!  Sun!  I’m rolling with two fairies so I know you ain’t gon’ have us out here like this.  Let’s get it poppin!”  Just as Pippi begins sharing her disbelief, that baby purred awake!  Alixa and I were like, “Holy sh*t!”  It was as if All That Is was saying, “Ahhhh, shut up Lindsay and let me show you what I can do you non-believer!” right on cue.

Or when we were guided by Esther (an enchanted being if I’ve ever met one) in Boulder Creek, California to go meet Jayson at the Big Sur Spirit Gardens.  I swear this white dude was blessed by the heavens with this extraordinary power to make all around him peaceful.  While there we were all clear that we were there to bear witness to Alixa meeting her next spiritual guide.

What a blessing to participate in such wonder.  And I don’t even know how many people have approached Alixa and Naima after shows all over the world telling them how a life has been changed forever.  Pretty powerful stuff.

It is all intensifying as I get closer to and through Thanksgiving.  For many years I have made a point to fast and go into a form of meditation on and around this day.  My connection to my indigenous blood line is sadly limited to this time every year when I immerse my mind, body, and spirit into a state of reflection, healing, and love.

And here we are, the day before Thanksgiving.  My will is always tested, but my soul is always full.  And this year’s holiday presents a whole new element – the unsettled spirits of New Orleans.  It was a sleepless night last night as I was washed over by their memories.

Tonight is the show.  I pray that the message of love provides audience members in Hurricane Season whatever it is they need to live another day in celebration of this life and the lives we have lost.