Fast forward to the following night. We drove to the forest where we like to walk and I asked for the name of that Googamooga song.

I realized Milo was trying to clue me in that the song was Ball of Confusion by the Temptations. 

I rarely listen to the Temptations but I liked the beat. So I added it to my Spotify playlist and got jammin’ in the car. So many lyrics had me looking them up and singing along. No easy task as there were a lot of words. What I soon realized that this 1970 Motown song, written by Norman Whitfield for the Temptations, was a searing commentary on the state of the union. Racial tension, unemployment, drug addiction, crooked politicians, gun control, and hippies in the hills. 

“Great Googamooga,” I thought, “has anything changed in this country?”

Back in 1970, Tricky Dick was president, we were embroiled in the Vietnam war, and “great googamooga” was a saying indicating either shock and dismay or unbridled enthusiasm. It certainly wasn’t with unbridled joy that the Temptations sang “Can’t you hear me talking to you? It’s a ball of confusion. That’s what the world is today.”

We got out of the car and walked in silence through the woods, listening to the breeze and feeling the peace.

To be more accurate, I noticed the peace, however was observing the turmoil within my mind and emotions. The words of that song resounded through my inner soundscape as pictures of today’s world swam through my vision. A riot of emotions accompanied that slide show: dismay, anger, sadness, fear, disgust. Witnessing visuals of melting ice caps, systemic racism, inner city violence, drug cartels, hungry families, broken systems, and class inequity, I let all those feelings and images roll out into the woods.

53 years later and that song was still relevant. What the hell was I to do in the face of all this?

The answer was simple, wise, and easy to achieve. First, I had to reestablish my coherence amongst my mind, body, and emotions. If I remained in a dysregulated system, my thinking would be a “ball of confusion” leading me into the wrong kind of action. While an inner calm could open me to creative solutions and wise responses to this (still) messy world.

So I walked in the woods, aware of the breeze and the trees.

I listened to the rustling squirrels and sound of my husband’s sneakers on the path. I sought out the green trees, smell of the soil, and searched the skies for soaring birds. I called the deer and foxes to come out for a visit. They didn’t arrive, but peace settled around me like a cloud from heaven.

As did gratitude for my ability to walk peacefully in the woods and dance freely in my kitchen.

I realized two things as we strolled back to the car. First, there was wisdom in dancing in enjoyment of the beat while the first hearing of that social commentary floated through my (un)awareness and my energy field. Dancing activates the Radiant Circuits which are energy pathways that can support releasing energy and fueling the body with yummy life force energy.

Second, I could be active in my work to improve our world with one of two attitudes.

Shock and dismay or unbridled enthusiasm centered in loving optimism. So, “googamooga” for me is an internal invitation to dance with awareness through my days. So I may spread the rhythm of hope, love, and action which inspires and improves lives. Rather than sink into despair, spew my anger, or fight the fight.

“Make love, not war,” says my inner teenage hippie.

I think I’m gonna listen to her, especially ’cause she had some good dance moves and a pair of really cool purple bell bottoms.