Dream Guitar

My partner Reyna is a dreamer. Last May she dreamt that she was looking for my dream guitar. In her dream she asked me what I would want in my most ideal instrument. Rather than telling her, my dream self kept saying what I didn’t want. Just as I was going to tell her what I wanted she woke up.

The next day I went to my physical therapy appointment and as my physical therapist greeted me in the waiting area she said, "I thought I saw a guitar with you." I joked and said it must have been my "spirit guitar" because I hadn’t brought my instrument with me that day.

That evening I accompanied Reyna to a fundraising event for Communities in Schools, the nonprofit she works for. The event’s theme was "Shoot for the Stars," and included a dinner and silent auction. When we perused the auction I was struck by one of the items; an acoustic Martin guitar with the earth, sun, and cosmos painted on the body. The guitar had been donated by one of my favorite music stores, Elderly Instruments. It was such a beautiful work of art, but with a starting bid of $800 it was well beyond my budget for something that I didn’t really need.

We went to our table to enjoy dinner but I was drawn back to the beautiful earth guitar and walked over to see it again, still considering whether I should place a bid. I even checked my bank account and reaffirmed my decision that it was out of my price range. I had to let go of the idea of owning that guitar. I returned to our table.

After dinner someone came out and announced that there were a few items that had not been bid on. One was the guitar! They asked if anyone in the audience played guitar. I raised my hand along with one other person in the group of several hundred people. They called me up to play the beautiful instrument and I awkwardly tuned it and accompanied myself in singing a little bit of Troubled In Mind.

After I returned to my seat, they opened the bidding at $350 and I was in. It soon got to my limit of $450, and just as it was about to be sold to the other bidder, Reyna raised her hand and bid $500. She wanted to get that guitar for me! Just as they were ready to close on her bid, she unknowingly outbid herself for $550. She was determined to get that guitar! They sold it to Reyna for $550.

But just when we thought we had it, someone else came out and announced that there had been a bid on the guitar for $800. They asked me if I would bid $850 and I said no, my budget was limited. I had to let go of the idea of owning the guitar one more time.

The auctioneers said that they would try to locate the mystery bidder and would let us know at the end of the night if the guitar was indeed ours. I had to keep letting go!

It turned out that the bidder was a fake name that had been placed on the sheet to initiate the bidding. The guitar was ours, and Reyna was so happy to give it to me, such a generous gift!

I was elated, amazed, humbled, and grateful for the way this guitar had seemingly traveled through the dream world and spirit world to come to me, an unexpected gift from the cosmos via the generosity and love of Reyna. I realized right away how fortunate I am to have such a kind and loving partner. Reflecting later on this incredible experience, I also recognized that I had to keep letting go of my desire to possess the guitar. Only then was I able to receive the cosmic gift.

What is it that you need to let go of? What gifts are the universe trying to give to you? Are you open to receive such love and generosity? 

I will continue to practice letting go and receiving this summer as I share music and community, and invite you to join me! I have some great gigs ahead, including a return to Blissfest with The Community Gardeners and several library shows across the state. And there are still 3 spots left in my Happy Songs Camp, a mindful songwriting day camp for kids August 3rd-7th.

May we continue to dream, vision, sing, laugh, cry, dance, breathe, embrace, let go, and receive together,
Joe

P.S. Communities in Schools ended up selling Reyna the guitar for $500, since she was the one who bid $550. Another act of generosity and kindness in this story!