The new year has arrived with excitement in my life. And why wouldn’t it? This is a big year for Jupiter in Sagittarius, the planet that rules having fun, jovial nature, excitement, joy, pleasure. And I have sun in Sagittarius, I feel the pull to be aware of what brings me joy, excitement and pleasure on a daily basis. Rather than focus on all of my pain points and present challenges.
One rainy Tuesday evening in Fresno, California, we enjoyed a concert, The Yellowbrickroad, farewell tour of Elton John. My husband couldn't miss it, he is obsessed with Tiny Dancer and Rocketman. And Elton John is meaningful for us as we saw him in concert together at San Diegos Cox Arena while in college in 2004 or 2005 and it was an unforgettable evening. I can still feel the emotion arise from my babes heart as Elton played solo on his piano. We were sitting behind the stage the but just next to Elton. He was actually in the same position on stage that he played in Fresno. That must be the alignment that creates the best feeling of safety for him.
He mentioned that when he began his career in the 70s, Fresno was one of his first stops so it was bittersweet for him to come full circle and land again for his last hurrah.
Elton John was not the only radiant being on the stage. He was surrounded by a group of unforgettable musicians who were the best of the best, with decades of experience playing together and playing individually. When they came together on the stage, they created an extreme symbiosis of sound that was pleasurable to all in attendance.
It was transformative and magical, really.
He shared his mess, and he made it his message. He shared about his drug and alcohol addiction and subsequent sobriety and recovery, the aids crisis that rocked his existence in the 80s, and his ongoing philanthropy to support a cause he deeply believes in.
Like me, you may not be an avid Elton John fan, but you can not ignore the fact that he is both timeless and relevant, for everyone. We have all heard his voice in movie soundtracks and we have at least one of his songs that pulls up a deep memory. But more than that I think there is an admiration for an individual who dared to be himself, dared to look different, sound different, and live different. And in living as himself, he acted as a guide for others, giving them permission to be themselves, to be free to self express fully.
At one point, I looked at the stage and there was Elton John doing what he loves most, being himself, expressing himself as he has been doing for decades. Just being, living, performing, breathing, pulsing, completely aligned in a divine rhythm beyond what even I realized at that moment. I looked around the arena at all of the joy being experienced by each person some near to the stage and some very far away.
He was himself, the one and only Elton John. And in that moment I realized, with a new fullness, that I am the only one who can be ME, one Marie P. DiBona-Herzog to be expressed in the singular way that only I can express.
I am the one behind Bellabodhi.love because that is where I have been called to stand. I am the voice of love and compassion, leading women to look at themselves in awe, to honor their very existence. I am the one to share about my own road blocks, trials and traumas and the progression my life has take because of them. My hope is that what I have learned the hard way, others do not have to. I am the mother who loves to mother other mothers. I am the heart that feels the pure joy and the excruciating pain. I am the gentle reminder, whispering to others of their goodness and greatness. I am a well of wisdom overflowing with infinite divine grace.
It’s me!
I am the Elton John of my own life.
There I was in my short backless, black and white sequined, party dress, (because its Elton John!!!!! sequins are a must in my book!), black ankle boots, scant jewelry, bare makeup, flatiron rain dampened hair, one ear pug in my left ear (I’ll tell you about that later), beaming from within and all around. I was singing, using my voice, with a resonance to the voices around me. I was at peace with my knowing, my acknowledgment of truth.
And for a split second, time stood still and I was given the impression to giddy up on loving myself and to give myself permission to be scared and not know what I'm doing and move ahead anyways.
Because there’s something being called forth from within, in the same way that something was called forth from within Elton John. And when you have committed yourself to follow you hearts rhythms, you don't hesitate. So here I am, showing up and shining out, the only way I know how.
Elton was so cute to me on stage. He had 3 costume changes. Started off in a rhinestone tux, and moved into a pink rose floral jacket, finished with a track suit and brocade robe. He’s mature, his body has changed, when he walked on the stage, the yoga teacher, anatomy lover, biomechanics admirer in me only wanted to offer him some support so that he could feel relief in his body. He said his greatest pleasure was hearing the response from the crowd after each song performance. I'm sure that sensation outweighed any physical pain he was in. (I’m sure he has a full time massage therapist and whoever else he needs to support his needs).
I could see the stuck energy in his hips and back, the effects of a lifetime sitting and of wearing heeled shoes, in full effect. I may not be able to physically help Elton John, unless he’s looking for a private yoga teacher, to which I’m completely open the idea. But, I can start right where I am and follow my own yellow brick road, share what I know, and that’s enough. And so can you! What is your yellow brick road? What direction are you being called to move in?
Love the album? Grab Yellow Brick Road on Amazon here.
