I am not a “sports” person. But then something happens, like the local team does good or the underdogs do good or the entire world puts angst on hold and worships at the altar of G-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-L
So I do the Google-Deep Dive: Who are these UCLA women basketball players? Who’s this guy Jalen Brunson from the New York Knicks? As for the 2026 World Cup — inspirational stories of gumption and kindness are rolling in.
🌺
But something much bigger is happening for me. Collective Effervescence. French sociologist Émile Durkheim first described this in 1912. It can feel like an electric energy that brings on a spirit of joy. Revelry. Suddenly we sense a palpable connection-thing to each other AND to something bigger than just me and you. Like at the same time. But the magic recipe for this communal stew starts with a group of people who are sharing…a moment. What kind of moment? You fill in the blank…
One of my wise friends told me this story: Many years ago she attended a large conference led by noted psychologist (and trauma specialist) Bessel van der Kolk. He began his lecture by asking the audience — three-hundred health care professionals — how many people here sing with a chorus? Only a few raised their hands (including my friend). He asked them to stand up and announced that they were the luckiest people because making music together is one of the most potent ways to heal from trauma.
I don’t need stadium seating to snag a few moments of this out-of-this-world feeling. It happens when I put my Zoom classes on “gallery” setting and see everyone at the same time. It happens when we gather in person to play the ukulele and sing. It happens with the seniors at my Friday ukulele gig. “This is the highlight of my whole week,” they say. It’s not hyperbole. I hear this over and over. And I feel it myself.
But this bubbly feeling has a short half-life. I’ve given up trying to hold on to it nor do I get too bummed out when the feeling goes poof. Soon enough the allstar women of UCLA will be playing against each other at the pros. A few idiots will burn a car rather than hug a human as exuberant fans fill the streets to celebrate “The Knicks in Five.” Something is going to piss you off about the World Cup. That’s how it goes…
The thing is…I think just a whiff of collective effervescence can move “the dial.” Perhaps having an experience like this gets stored in our bodies. Somehow. Somewhere. By tomorrow what is left is a sweet spongy memory. But just remember, remembering what is possible… isn’t that good thing too?
I have a personal stake in this collective experience stuff. Believe it or not, I am an introvert. I love quiet and to be alone. Like many others, I experienced trauma growing up—in the crucible of family and in the wilds of public education. I felt much safer pushing people away than joining the circle. But at the same time, life pulled me, ever-so-stealthily, onward and outward. It wasn’t until I found myself in other people’s stories, their triumphs and travails that I discovered a sense of community within myself and in my daily life. For me, it taken a world of people to grow into myself. A little taste of collective effervescence, now and then, is a joyful byproduct of being an engaged social animal.
One of our CC Strummers special ordered these bags for us.
I’m so grateful to land in the ukulele world because, in my opinion, this singular instrument is the very stuff of collective effervescence. Why? It’s an instrument for everyone. It meets you where YOU are. There is a huge margin for error because the sounds you make are gone in a flash (there is no sustain pedal, like a piano). It’s easy to “fake it” and still play with the masses. Did grandma tell you that music doesn’t run in the family and you’re tone deaf anyway? Well I say who cares. Collective effervescence is there for you too. Just show up.
Anonymous
From Anonymous: i truly love your mini-blogs and frequently am inspired by them. i really connected to the World Cup for much the same reason. They have demonstrated (except for the Mexican crazed fans tormenting sleepy opposing soccer teams. I wish and hope that the world can, indeed, come together in a positive fashion as foreign travelers have experienced in the U.S. My heroes above all the teams have been Cabo Verde, a tiny country of about half a million, and who have become the Cinderella team and which put their country on the map. i have been so seduced by the World Cup that i basically scheduled what little social life i have around each and every round. here’s to the winning teams; may they have fun, and meet the challenge with grace and resolve.
Anonymous
From Anonymous: I think that a sense of community is what it’s all about. I don’t have a musical bone in my body — in fact, my singing could clear a room in five seconds flat — but I do love to write and always feel elated when participating in my poetry group. So, I can definitely relate!
Anonymous
From Anonymous: Love the term collective effervescence. I bet you know that Jalen Brunson married his (Jewish) high school sweetheart. You are the first person I’ve met who grew up in DC. Then last week I met my son Isaac’s friend who grew up in DC. So now I know two! Different generations with public school stories to tell. And now I am thinking beyond public school stories to tell, but were you at the March on Washington in 1963?
I’m reminded of a bestseller by Susan Cain who wrote about the power of introverts. She also has a Ted Talk. I am glad you – and your thoughtful introverted self – lead bunches and bunches of us into community and engagement with so many others, building our brains and connecting hearts. What a beautiful thing that is!
Anonymous
From Anonymous: I just wanted to tell you how inspirational you are!! Today’s newsletter – a masterpiece!
Makes me want to go out and do music with more people and give them that sense of
Collective effervescence. Oh, I know that feeling and it is wonderful!!
Thank you for all you do for so many. And also, you are an AMAZING writer!!
Anonymous
From Anonymous: (ichi-go ichi-e) is a beautiful Japanese expression which means “one time, one meeting” or “treasure this once-in-a-lifetime encounter.” It’s about appreciating each unique moment and meeting.
Playing the ukulele is a wonderful experience-but I like to remember that it is never exactly the same twice – -even with the same songs, the same people, There is always something that makes each time unique. I am reminded by this Japanese expression to treasure each moment because no matter what, it will never ever be exactly the same again. Being in the moment, treasuring the experience, the people, and the music as though this is the only time-enjoy this moment-it is a special treasure
Illece Buckley Weber
Thanks Cali for sharing your thoughts and life with us. I attended a World Cup game in June and was overwhelmed by the feeling that we were all getting along and enjoying the moment by simply watching men kick a ball across a field. It was glorious.