One reason why busking (playing music in the street) should be encouraged.

Thursday night was quite significant. It's been a wet week in London. I went to a launderette in Shepherd’s Bush to get my laundry dry and because I was there, I took the Central Line into London and busked at Liverpool Street - not Embankment. I’ve not been there for months.

It was quite late - after 10.00 when I got there - but my workshop is on Sunday and I’m still a bit short of funds. I didn’t get a grant this year so each month is an exercise in faith and surrender and I always see some miracles. It always works out!

I didn’t earn much but had two particularly significant encounters / conversations.

A young man - probably in his 20s - stopped and thanked me for the music. He said he was sorry he had no money. I asked if he would be passing by on Friday as I could come to Liverpool Street again. He said he would not be alive next day. I asked what was wrong and in his silence and the expression in his eyes I realised that he was intending to end his life.

I gave him a big hug and just held him tightly and asked him to remember that life is precious and he is precious. I said that life is full of ups and downs - but the future will be bright. He cried and cried - just sobbing in my arms. I felt the healing power / love of God flowing through us.

When he eventually went on his way I gave him one of my fliers and asked him to keep in touch. I felt that it was not a coincidence that I was playing there that night.

Later a man I know - but haven’t seen for months because I don’t often go to Liverpool Street to busk, came over with such delight. He’s from Romania and came here to UK when his wife left him and took their children. He really loves me and my music. He calls me Mum!

He’s homeless and often depressed but he loves me. He said he was in the station keeping out of the rain when suddenly he heard my music. He couldn’t believe it because it’s been so long.

We had a hug too.

He said he was tired of struggling and no longer wanted to live. He just wanted to die. He shouted ‘I want to die!’

I said no. That’s just a thought and it’s not real. He can ask that thought to go - to get out. Every time it comes in his mind he can choose to shout ‘I LOVE LIFE!’

And every day he can look for someone to share a smile with. Lots of people are finding life difficult so his job is to cheer someone up each day. Just share a joke and spread some smiles.

It was raining. He took his big padded, hooded coat off and put it over me. He said he could go in the station - in the dry.

I wasn’t sure what to do as how would I return it? - but I put him and the coat ‘at God’s Feet’ and continued to play.

The coat was really warm. Like a sleeping bag. I needed my arms free to play but I put the hood on and the coat hung down my back like a cloak. It was so warm. I really appreciated it.

The rain reminded me of my Gaza families. I wished I could give them all warm waterproof coats like that one! They are all suffering so much at the moment. The storms are shredding tents and flooding their tents with sewage-water. Everyone and everything is getting soaked and there’s nowhere warm or dry where they can shelter or get dry. One of the families I corresponding with has four children. Three of them were in hospital last week with malnutrition and high fever. (Give me a pm if you’d like to know more. I know a few families personally and they urgently need donations.)

I wasn’t watching the time - just playing - but the homeless man did come back - with a homeless woman who he introduced. They had just met! I gave them both a hug and said to look after each other. I asked the man what it is he must do, when horrible thoughts come in his mind. He punched the air above his head and shouted ‘I LOVE LIFE!’ We were all laughing .

I gave him his jacket back and was feeling so full of happiness and gratitude.

I didn’t earn much last night but it is enough to get my car clean, in preparation for my workshop on Sunday - and Friday - a better busking night. All in all I am soooo happy that I went busking last night and I don't believe in coincidences. I am sure it was not a coincidence that I found myself at Liverpool Street on Thursday. It’s SO important to bring more joyful energy into the world. So many people are finding life hard at this time. Music has power. It really does lift people and bring happiness.

Love and Peace xxx

This video is from a few days ago. I’m now playing Christmas Carols but two Irish girls came by and asked if I know any Irish songs- so i played this one - Spancil Hill - (playing it way too fast.) It’s classic!

https://youtube.com/shorts/-ncqefhLaOg?si=UMyw70wz8JlvYDJE

5 comments