What if the Hokey Pokey Really Is What It's All About?💃🏽

An ordinary day usually begins with placing one foot out of bed, followed by the other, until we're standing upright and ready to face whatever awaits us. Whether we realize it or not, this simple action reflects the essence of the Hokey Pokey. It teaches us that life involves putting one piece of ourselves in at a time. Eventually, if we're lucky, we immerse ourselves in joy and abandon.

I've found that this whimsical song from our childhood serves as a perfect blueprint for living, healing, and discovering magic in the ordinary. This magic can transform into miracles when we give our full attention to normal moments. Sometimes, these miraculous experiences feel like the warm sun on our faces, the mesmerizing sound of ocean waves calling us home, or even the comforting silence as we grip our coffee mugs.

What makes these small miracles possible is our ability to notice them, breathe them in, and cherish them in moments of need.

The Simple Joy of Showing Up

Hands gently cupped, cradling ethereal sparks of light, symbolize the wonder and magic of a miracle unfolding.

One of my favorite miracles occurred while I ran an after-school program at the Y. I somehow convinced ten, 10-year-olds to spend three months learning "Seasons of Love" from the musical Rent for a major donor event. The catch? Kids arrive at after-school programs to unwind, play, and release steam from their school day. The last thing they want to do is learn a complex song with harmonies and choreography. Yet, they showed up every day!

Surprisingly, they had fun doing it. They engaged fully, embodying the essence of the Hokey Pokey. That's what it’s all about, right?

The Boy Who Chose Love 💓

Another small miracle involved a little boy named Tommy, with whom I worked for six months at a residential treatment facility. Tommy had experienced severe abuse, an experience that still brings tears to my eyes when I think about it. Each moment with him felt as unpredictable as his big emotions. Some days he would be furious, while other days he would retreat completely into silence. At times, we would just sit together, while on other occasions, we danced to hip hop until we ran out of songs.

My only goal was to be a consistent and loving presence in his life. I showed up piece by piece, day by day. Little by little, he began to trust me.

Then, one afternoon, out of nowhere, Tommy looked at me and said, "Jenna, I love you." At that moment, my heart swelled with joy because I knew how difficult it was for him to move towards love. He had every reason in the world to distrust adults, yet there he was, choosing love again. Somehow, I had broken down his barriers, helping him heal so he could feel secure enough to receive the love he so desperately needed and deserved. That connection was Tommy's brave YES to healing.

Trust in Small Moments

In a picturesque town outside Boulder, CO, I spent many days carrying a small infant while working as a nanny. Each morning, we would stroll to a nearby horse barn. By the time we reached the pasture, she was fast asleep in my arms. To onlookers, a sleeping baby might seem ordinary. However, for me, knowing this beautiful soul trusted me enough to let the rhythm of my steps become her lullaby was the ultimate miracle of trust.

Love Across the Miles 💓

Sometimes, miracles travel significant distances. Many moons ago, I ventured into digital design and content strategy. This shift took me away from the Y in Boulder toward a new adventure in the DC area. Six months after starting my dream job, I faced the unexpected diagnosis of a brain tumor. It’s true what they say: we don't plan the moments when we'll need love the most.

When I received a scrapbook from the kids at the Y, whom I'd worked with before relocating to Virginia, it felt like love found me at just the right moment.

Putting Your Whole Self In

As we reach the grand finale of the song, we are reminded of the shaking, silliness, and engaging fully in life. It's a wonderful reminder for all of us to leap into joy, embrace uncertainty, and find our way one step at a time.

So, on this beautiful day, I ask you: when was the last time you did the Hokey Pokey? If your answer is, "Ummm, no clue," here's a little inspo. :)

And if you're hesitating, remember this secret I've learned from children and my journey through adversity: there's truly nothing more important. The Hokey Pokey really is what it's all about.

💕With love,

💋Jenna