麻豆约拍

A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Harry Baker

Good morning.

I have a new favourite activity. I may have said this before the first time I tried paddleboarding, flying a kite, or hot yoga, but this time I think I mean it. It can be summed up in three magical words - Sunrise Silent Disco.

It started as all my social activities in Margate by being invited to join a whatsapp group. We are given a time and location on the beach and the host shares a playlist that we all start simultaneously, with everyone bringing their own headphones to join in. After an initial moment of self-consciousness everyone spreads out and find their spot. We are all in our own worlds, simply linked by a joint soundtrack.

It is everything I love about dancing with the added bonus of sand between your toes. Instead of being dark and late it is bright and early. Instead of being crammed in together everyone has enough space to do their own thing. Instead of my uni experience of almost falling asleep but not wanting to go home in case I miss out, it is the most wonderful way to wake up.

The first one I attended was on Good Friday - the playlist curator needed strength and power that week and so chose the songs to match. When Bless Me Today by Alan Dixon came on I felt closer to God than I have done in a long time. It was gentle, it was personal, it was communal, It was euphoric. And it was of course followed by jumping in the sea.

God. Thank you for shared experiences and for movement. For the personal and the communal. We pray today we can be in touch with your world and our bodies, from the way the light falls on our face to the feel of the wind against our skin. May you be with us as we share this world with others, whether via the same commute, meal table, or even soundtrack to our lives. In other words - Lord, Bless me Today.

Amen.