You have to love those beautiful fall weekend where the weather is cool and those leaves sprinkle the ground like confetti. Even better is when you get to gather with family and listen to jazz. Something about jazz and autumn mix so well together. It's this sense of trying to make small sections of time slow down long enough to catch that last leaf hanging on the tree or that last chord struck on the piano. And when you are listening to jazz (if you have ever) you notice that time does seem to slow-and even seconds slower than the normal day make a lot of difference. 

If you don't know or have not heard of Joey Alexander. He is what I consider probably one of the most profound and incredibly young pianists of his time. He is just plain talented and so humble about it all. So humble in fact that every time he finished a song and received the loudest of claps, he would give a tiny bow and place his hand over his heart with a small quiet smile as if to say, "Thank you..but I am just doing what I was meant to do."

There were many beautiful things I could say about his performance, but there was one moment that struck me because for whatever reason it just completed the definition of whimsy and progression and this perpetual passing off of the goodness in humanity rather than focusing on the negative. This was one of those whimsical moments I'll probably always remember because as you know, music strikes the heart right to the core of your soul. And I've had moments where the movement of one's soul by music has multiplied so much whimsy right into my heart that the magic has lasted weeks. After a large applause, Joey Alexander came back one more time to play "What a Friend we Have in Jesus." For those unfamiliar, this is one of the oldest and most popular hymns. I probably first heard this hymn maybe three years back when I first started working at Urban Impact. Though I had never heard of it before, all of my students knew every single word. 

Well when he played this hymn there was such a power and such a silent energy in the room-it was unmistakable whimsy. And just when I felt the love could not be multiplied anymore, there was a couple behind us, most likely brought up in a church where this hymn was popular because they sang every word like a silent hum while Joey continued on his way creating a whimsical spirit that vibrated through the walls and traveled right out into humanity. Not only did this moment bring tears to my eyes but it was just a priceless realization of how simple connectivity is...if we only just try to connect. And sometimes an old hymn can do the trick. And I suppose even if you aren't religious or maybe do not believe in a higher power, these lyrics can be quite easily changed to: "What a friend we have in eachother" and once again...that same goodness in humanity and connectivity can travel right through the autumn wind and into your soul if only you let it.