OK, you seriously can’t make this stuff up, guys.
ANOTHER weird incident happened at church yesterday. So, as you may recall, the last four Sundays, something peculiar has occurred at Mass. This time, it involved me calling 9-1-1.
To refresh: #1: The homeless man who chugged the communion wine and exited with a ruckus. #2: The literal MIRACLE that took place under the Advent wreath (my lifelong amenhorrea as a result of the anorexia in my past was HEALED!) And then #3: That scary man with the duffle bag sitting across the aisle, shouting at the congregation during the final blessing.
Well, last night, the womanย literally sitting next to me, had a seizure. It was terrifying. She collapsed to the floor like a rag doll with the loudest bang that echoed through the building. Many parishioners rushed to her aide. I called 9-1-1. The paramedics/firemen came in during the service and took her out. Praise God, she was okay.
But seriously,ย what in the worldย is going on here???
Am I like, some weird juju magnet?! I mean seriously: hide yo’ kids. Hide yo’ wife. And for the love, don’t let me around the elderly.
I jest, but for real. Perplexing.
ANYWAYS. That is not the point of tonight’s post, I just had to share that with you because it was SO FREAKING BIZARRE that all these crazy occurrences are happening.
So I had a reallyย really interesting Saturday night.
Now, before I get too deep into this, I want to just start out by addressing that this post is going to talk about race, but it is in no way meant in a negative sense. It was just the facts of the story, so there’s my disclaimer. I think you know from my track record: people are people are people. And I appreciate the uniqueness and beauty that we all bring to the table, each in our own way ๐
So I am part of a very diverse friend group. In fact, in one of my groups of friends, I am the only caucasian person. Frankly, I never even think about it – it just doesn’t even register. I see people, not skin color.
But this past Saturday, for the first time, I’d say,ย ever, I did realize that I was, well…not like the rest.
It was my friend’s birthday and we decided to go to this cool club in the Meatpacking District. You know the type: $20 cover, intimidating bouncer making people practically beg to get in. Overpriced drinks. Air that’s thick with dance floor sweat and lingering whisky fumes. And really good music.
Typical Meatpacking.
Well, we walk in, check our coats, get a drink, head to the dance floor. And after a minute, I realize that I am literally the only white person there. Everyone is African American.
Which, I mean, psh,ย I don’t care. Let’s dance!! But I start to realize that Iย am kind of getting someย looks. And not really in a good way. The looks felt a bit,ย unfriendly. I wouldn’t go as far as to say they were “hostile,” butย I definitely felt like their looks were communicating that I was “infringing” on a place I wasn’t really superย welcome.
So I did what I always do at nightclubs: make friends with those around me.
Listen. I was the president of my sorority. I have been around enough sorority girls to know that the best way to disarm any potential stand-off-ish-ness is to just engage with people and be yourself.
I started chatting with the girls in the group next to us, complimented their outfits, asked them to join our group and dance.
And by the end of the night, I don’t mean to gloat, but I may or may not have successfully started a dance circle and busted a move or two. I even had a bunch of fellas come up to me as I was leaving and go, “Shoooooot, white girl can dance!” haha

But it was honestly one of the most fun nights I’ve had in a long time.
And the “vibes” at the end of the night — not a drop of “unfriendliness” to be found. I had made new friends! And it was awesome.
When I look at people, I see the potential for a new friend. Truly, I know it sounds really lame, but I try and see the good. During my anorexia, I know, first hand, how it feels to walk into a room and instantly have everyone think the ugliest thoughts about you, simply by how you appear on the outside. And that, friends, is a really crappy feeling.
So I try to always give people a chance.
The people at the night club on Saturday, yeah – I was different. I mean, that’s just the facts. I am not black. I come from suburban Ohio. But we gave each other a chance.
And it turns out, Kanye and a disco balled-dance floor brings people together.
My faith in humanity has officially been restored ๐
——————————————————————————————
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131 responses to “Lessons in da Club”
This is great
Thanks friend. Hugs and love xox
You certainly do have a way to liven up a church service! Reminds me of the time my wife passed out in church. Just dropped to the floor in the front row in the middle of a hymn! I ran to the front to stop the choir director. Fortunately we had a Dr., a paramedic and a nurse on hand as I called 911.
Don’t worry about being the only non-African American and getting “that” look, either. I lived in an all black neighborhood for a few years and people use to see me walking to the bus stop in my suit and tie, assuming that I was lost until they met me. Turns out they were mostly decent people.
Hahha thanks Jim!!oh my gosh how scary! Iโm glad sheโs okay!! Hugs and love xox
You have guts to talk to people you donโt know when your comfort level is strained. I can have trouble being comfortable or talking to those I do know.
Thanks friend. I appreciate it. Hugs and love xox
So much positivity in this post! I’m glad ya had a good time at that club. ๐๐ป ๐
Aw thanks John. Yeah it was a blast. Hugs and love xox
I’m enjoying your blog and much appreciate your frank honesty and urban perspective. Best wishes for the happiest of holidays!
Thanks so much! Hugs and love xox
Wow, the only thing interesting that ever happens to us in church was the one time that my wife’s phone burst into song (even though she had silenced it).
Yes, people are people. Sometimes we just need to get past the the stuff we often divide ourselves over.
Hahahha oh gosh thatโs hysterical. Thanks for this JP, hope youโre having a great day so far! Hugs and love xox
Ha. Sorry to laugh but that is too weirdly coincidental. Sometimes you do feel like you have a black cloud hanging over you… but I assure you it’s not you lol
Thanks Joseph ๐ very coincidental indeed. Hugs and love xox
I want to go to church with you :):) hehehe ๐
Hahaha thanks Margaret. Youโre welcome to tag along anytime! Hugs and love xox
Love it! You work those white girl moves, Hon! โโญ๏ธโโญ๏ธ
Hahha thanks friend! Hugs and love xox
[…] https://beautybeyondbones.com/2017/12/18/lessons-in-da-club/ […]
Thanks for the link up! Hugs and love xox
Wired juju magnet is the only explanation. Loved your post, btw
Hahahahahha thanks Hugh. Hugs and love xox
What a great example of not allowing fear ruin the moment and finding an easy way to establish commonality and love for humanity That is the only way we will find our way through the divisions being perpetrated in media and by our elected “leaders”
Thank you so much friend ๐ i really appreciate it. Hugs and love xox
First…I like the snow!
I know what you mean about the โone of these things is not like the othersโ situation. When I was in grad school in downtown Detroit, I often found myself the only pasty guy in the grocery store. Not to mention walking the mile to and from. Never bothered me, but sometimes you just canโt help noticing.
And why am I NOT surprised that you won over a whole nightclub? You have such a friendly, outgoing vibe, whatโs not to like? All you need is a chance.
But then thatโs all any of us need IF weโre willing to take a chance. Especially when traveling, I always try to engage front desk staff, wait staff, whoever I run into. If they actually TALK to me instead of merely processing me, I make an effort to tell the manager.
Iโve been โ on a rare occasion โ suspected of being a perv or a flirt, but I figure that says more about them than me. I just like joking with people and trying to have a little fun.
Soโฆwell done you for bustinโ a move and breakinโ the barrier!!
Thanks Jeff!! Gosh what a kind thing to say. Youโre right- we got to jump out of the plane and Trust that the parachute is going to catch us. Thatโs such a great thing to do. Haha thanks again Jeff. Have a great day!! Hugs to you and Julie! Xox
Hey! I was just thinking about checking with you. First time I’ve ever seen you go a whole evening without making at least a few replies. I was getting a little worried. Hopefully, you was just out, bustin’ some white chick moves wif da peeps! ๐ Glad to see you this morning!
Aw thanks – yeah i was out for a lovely night with my best girlfriends. And then i had to stuff envelopes for Christmas gifts for the doormen and pack all before my 7am flight this morning!! I got 2 hours of sleep as it is! ๐ฉ hahaha yes! Patreon is coming too! I recorded it before dinner but never got a chance to upload it! Have a great morning Jeff! X
You too!
xoxo
Very cool!
Thank you friend! Hugs and love xox
Lol. One word: Love
Amen to that! Hugs and love xox
I love to hear these positive stories!! Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
Thank you so much! Hugs and love xox
These lessons and your attitude is what people need in everyday situations.
I love how you write with so much ease. ๐
Thank you so much!! Hugs and love xox
You really have a great experience ๐ <3 ๐ and your attitude and vibes are really good, what else can I say… I think what life you have now might be an expression of your good attitude and thanks for that…
Thanks friend ๐ thatโs kind of you to say! Hugs and love xox
Your welcome ๐ it’s nice to be called friend… so touching. <3 thank you friend.
โจ๐๐๐
<3 ๐
As always, love you. You are so good at painting a picture with your words. And your heart for the Lord will always see you through anything and people are people and you totally get that. I have always been colorblind too. Jesus was. The heart is where we look and all of ours beat the same. Everyone feels and needs love just the same. We all rock. Hugs! ๐โค
Aw thanks Tonya:) what a kind thing to say. Yes! I so agree. Letโs look to the heart! Hugs and love xox
๐โค๐
oxox ๐
Wow, crazy things happening to you. But what a great night or that must have been. Those dancing days are a fair way behind me lol.
I hope you’re well and keep smiling โบ๏ธโค๏ธ
Thanks Simon! Yes! Never a dull moment. Hugs and love xox
I hope it’s not stopping you getting into the festive mood. Love and hugs xox
Definitely not! ๐ xoxoox
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I am used to think that everything is for a reason… even (and maybe even more) odd things! ๐ค
I think youโre right!! Hugs and love xox
๐ค๐น๐น๐น
โจ๐โจ
Awesome picture lol: https://i1.wp.com/beautybeyondbones.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_0956.jpg
Thank you ๐ Hugs and love xox
Enjoyed this blog very much, so much positivity. I would have run for the hills. So glad you shared this
Thanks so much friend! Appreciate it ๐ Hugs and love xox
The most interesting things happen to you! Loved how you changed the vibe on your night out. Awesome!
Thanks! Haha yeah never a dull moment! Haha Hugs and love xox
You shared your light in the midst of feeling very uncomfortable. God always has us in places for a reason, and it seems it’s usually in an uncomfortable or unusual situation.I think He must be pleased with the way you responded!
Aw thank you friend. Yes He does! Hugs and love xox
There is a parallel between the Mass and club experiences – in all cases you were placed in situations that were uncomfortable and filled with the potential for division and hostility. So rather than the accuser’s voice calling you a “magnet for judgement” I would encourage you to listen for the One who is saying “Blessed are the peacemakers” and making you one of them. Thank you for your witness in the club!
Thatโs such a powerful perspective! Thanks for sharing that! Hugs and love xox
1. Hilarious line about being a ‘weird ju-ju magnet’! 2. Why are white people called
white’ people yet it is considered racist not to call brown/black people brown/black people? Why the hyphenation for EVERYone else but not white people? To be clear, I do not like the hyphen. I think it is incredibly devisive. a way to remind people they are not ‘one of us’ or ‘we’ are not ‘one of you’. But they are. We are all American. End the hyphen! ‘White’ is not a race. It is a color on my painting palette. ๐
Hahha thank you Melissa! I like that: we are all American. Just like we are all children of God:) thanks for sharing your thoughts on this! Hugs and love xox
Hey thanks. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Same to you friend! Hugs and love xox
Great post! Glad you made new friends and most importantly, glad you stuck around and gave everyone a chance. Love xoxoxoxo
thank you so much! Yeah,it was a lot of fun! Hugs and love xox
You are spot on. When you stop dwelling on the differences and start celebrating the similarities, worlds open.
Good stuff!
I couldn’t agree more! Thanks ๐ Hugs and love xox
Great comment and I second it! http://www.timetobefearless.com
First – the craziness at church is wild – God bless you for handling it all so well! Awesome about the miracle too!
Second – I love this post about your experience in the club. Being nice, open, friendly and accepting is the way to be. Go you! ๐
Thanks Aniela! I know! Such craziness! thanks for your kind words ๐ big hugs xox
Great lesson at the club!
Thanks D! big hugs x
Wow, what a great lesson, that is too cool!
Great gangsta pose too, I definitely wouldn’t want to run into you in a dark alley if you waz flashin’ dem signs ; )
I think you may have inspired me to go to church for the first time since about 4th grade if for nothing else to witness something that may inspire a new blog post.
Well in full closure I do atten church just about every Thursday night, but it’s only because they have a basketball court, (where the only praying I do is that my sad jump shot goes in at least 50% of the time).
hahaha that made me laugh! thank you! hahaha – swish!! ๐ Hugs and love xox
WOW! I loved your post!
Beginning with your church adventures! HAHA! I’ve seen similar things as well so I felt totally connected to that!
Also, way to connect with everyone around you! God taught us to love everyone and it’s an amazing thing when we begin to see the similarities rather than the differences and come together.
I applaud you and I am praying for you ๐
thank you so much Martha! I really appreciate your kind words. Yes! so many similarities. thanks for your prayers ๐ Hugs and love xox
That’s good, to move beyond thoughts, and see the potential for a new friend
… and, all with a dance! ๐
Thanks David ๐ yes! With a dance! Hugs and love xox
Interesting contrast between things that you know you can do physically and socially, and the purely spiritual claims that are made in church.
In re. experiences in Church: Sounds like people that have spiritual business with you are having to act out to get the attention they need.
These things stopped happening to me when I became sensitized to that need in every moment, and facilitated God’s ministry to them before they went off. It doesn’t take words, it doesn’t take money: it is allowing our sensitivities to be the seam through which God enters silently into their hearts. The only evidence of my participation is the widened eyes when they look over their shoulder at me.
And I am left in humbled bewilderment at having been the tool of such subtle and puissant skill. How does He do it, the Most High? How does He give them exactly what they need?
Thanks Brian. This is a pretty powerful perspective. Youโre right – when God enters our hearts great things happen. Hugs and love xox
Love reading this blog and love your positive attitude.
Thanks so much Wilfred! Hugs and love xox
You are most welcome. Have a wonderful Christmas.xx
same to you! xoxox
Hello…Miracle Yello. Thanks for sharing this wonderful post. It was fun. R you going to do a YouTube blooper for Christmas? Because…comedy. You got it in you. And the podcast you were …you nailed it. Hahaha…your comments were hilarious. Great work Miracle Yello. Wishing you another miracle this Christmas.
Hahah blooper Christmas. Now thereโs an idea! Thanks Ish ๐ merry Christmas friend xox
You are amazing in ways that keep adding up higher and higher in number! I am serious! This Spring, Salsa Dancing during my Barrio Music Shopping day. I know the clubs won’t be open yet when I am there, but just outside the stores is kewl, or in La Marqueta where they have the Salsa Saturdays. Sometime in early winter I am going to PM u on FB and tell you the date (when I buy my bus ticket). Hugs and love xoxoxoxo
Oh and lest I forget, you light up any club more than the lights there themselves!!
Hahha shucks Iโm blushing. Thank you
xoxoxo
Oh my gosh you are too kind! Thank you Migueltio! Perfect! Hugs and love xox
Hugs and love! xoxoxo I wish I could send you some of my awesome coquito but I’m sure it would leave a mess in your mailbox by the time it got there LOL!
oh man that sounds amazing!!!!
<3
I want to go to church with you so badly right now! Lol you always have a way of what I’m thinking but putting it into honest, powerful, and fun lights that make it accessible for everyone. I really appreciate your incredibly encouraging blog and the support you’ve given mine this year so I nominated you for the Liebster award and hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
hahaha come!! the invitation is on the table ๐ hehe thanks friend, so glad you stopped by! and thanks for the nom! xox
Lol if I lived any closer I totally would take you up on that! ๐
hahaha ๐ ๐ ๐ xoxox
๐๐๐๐ lol what an enjoyable post to read!!! God bless and keep you!! Xx love n hugs!! ๐๐
aww thank you Tammy!! big hugs xox
Lol you’re most welcome!!! Xx
xoxox
Cool bb
thanks ๐ x
This is a great story. Brought a smile to my face. Your positivity is wonderful! ๐
thank you so much!! so glad it did ๐ big hugs xo
my faith in humanity is restored every time I read one of your posts. Nothing about that night surprises me.
awwwww, what a kind thing to say!!! thank you friend ๐ big hugs xox
Wonderful post! But sorry for all the odd goings-on that happened to you at Mass! ๐ฎ
thank you so much Sarah!! yeah, it was a crazy night! thanks for stopping by! big hugs x
sure thing! sort of random but– I am new to blogging on WordPress. Do you have any suggestions/tips on how to draw traffic/boost engagement? what worked for you to bring new people to your posts?
Yes! So there’s actually a lot of really easy tips. Like utilizing the reader and tags and different things like that. I actually wrote an e-book called My Blogging Tips….you can get it here: http://www.blurb.com/b?ebook=638982 I hope that helps! it’s a quick read – you can read it in less than an hour ๐ And i’ve been helping my sister in law with her new company/site, and by utilizing my tips, she gained literally 525 followers overnight ๐ hugs Sarah! xox
Lol! You are crazy brave, Carolyn. I miss being in my 20’s.
hahah thanks Tony! you can still have that fun anytime!!! big hugs to you x
Well sunshine that’s a good example of not letting others dictate the world around you, with that said i’m sure that vibe was coming more from the women. I have no doubt more than a few black men there wanted to be more friendly then you were prepared for. (lol)
It’s funny living and working in San Luis Obispo that’s wine country about an hour north of Santa Barbara California with an 80 percent white population, many time I had to do the same thing but always stay true to yourself others will come around and they did, i loved the area for over 20 years..
Thanks so much!!! Youโre right – weโve gotta stay true to ourselves ๐ Hugs and love xox
Wow!! Wonder what IS going on?? Very strange!
How exciting that you brought the whole club together!
Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much friend ๐ it was a fun night! Hugs and love xox
The way you tell the stories makes them funny. Often these odd moments bring people closer together. It certainly gives them a reason to strike a conversation!
Haha thanks friend ๐ that means a lot. Hugs and love xox
I truly love your posts. In fact, I have nominated you for the Liebster Award! See the post on my site, and continued blessings to you sister! https://tiljournalism.com/2017/12/26/liebster-award-nomination/
oh wow! thank you so much DT! what an honor! big hugs xo
This is some good interesting stuff!! keep on…..
Thanks friend! Hugs and love xox