You may have seen him – He’s pretty average looking — not too tall, nor too short, average build, brown hair. Evidently he didn’t get great grades in high school and now he lives in Seattle. To my knowledge he didn’t take the Foreign Service Exam – he may not even know what it is. In fact, he reports that he’s not even that great a dancer. But he is, without doubt, the world’s greatest diplomat and we need more like him.
He’s Matt – the guy that goes around the world and dances. From Damascus to North Korea, Puerto Rico to Karachi, he brings his rhythm and charm, dancing with as few as two and as many as hundreds. At first glance it looks simple, but look farther and you will see the choreography, the planning, and the attention to detail.
My sister-in-law, Terry, once told me that the best marriage counseling takes place on the dance floor. It’s about leading and following; negotiating and creating; communicating and working together. What is true for marriages is true for diplomacy. In dancing around the world Matt demonstrates a multitude of skills needed in diplomacy. He communicates, negotiates, leads, teaches, strategizes, creates, encourages, and convinces.
His dancing communicates across boundaries in a way that my words never will, and so today I bring you: Where the Hell is Matt? 2012
If you’re sick of politics and misunderstandings, anger and miscommunication, I urge you to stop what you’re doing now and watch this video. It will be four and a half of the best spent minutes of your day – I guarantee it.
I can’t help but think this is a little what Heaven will be like – only it will be Jesus front and center. Thanks for reading and watching and please let me know what you think!
And spread the fun! Share Matt with others.
Related articles
- Only Beautiful Please: A British Diplomat’s Photos of North Korea (brookings.edu)
- Protest outside US consulate in Karachi (aljazeera.com)
Marilyn R. Gardner 
What a great video! Thanks for sharing. Makes me wonder why I am just sitting at my kitchen table right now wasting the day away when I could be out there dancing :)
LikeLike
So glad that you liked it! Hope you got out and danced!
LikeLike
This is truly amazing! I saw he was in Belgrade!
Thank you,
Daniela
LikeLike
Right?! So cool eh? I’m so glad you liked it Daniela!
LikeLike
It’s kinda cool to see a place you recognize in a presentation like that – the Cambridge shot was the amphitheater in back of the Stata Building, at MIT!
LikeLike
I’m so glad you could identify the Cambridge location. I watched it over and over and over and couldn’t figure out where it was! I finally realized where ever it was, I’ve never been there! Thanks Bruce!
LikeLike
It’s the most distinctive building on campus – perhaps on the planet. I only need to see one piece of its shape to identify it!
LikeLike
I need to walk over there!
LikeLike
Wow! So beautiful. Love the song too.
LikeLike
I do too and love the way it began with the classical dancing idea, moving into the rest. So much fun.
LikeLike
Love Matt! I’ve been following his dancing for years — and it has improved. (Mine, on the other hand, has not.) You inspired me to sign up to be notified if he comes to DC: http://www.wherethehellismatt.com/dance
LikeLike
Totally agree that his dancing has improved — he sort of goes into that at one point as he talks about being willing to practice and get good at something.
LikeLike
That video makes me so happy *scuttles downstairs to share the love with housemate*
LikeLike
Ohhhh! This comment made ME so happy! I love your scuttling! I’ve watched it ten times – can’t get the grin off my face! So go scuttle away.
LikeLike
I agree with all the praising words here, and I love Matt’s videos!! I also love Terry’s assessment of dance as marriage counseling and yours as diplomacy! I’ve sent Matt videos on in the past to others with this subject heading: Help Matt heal our world; ask others to dance!!
LikeLike
Great heading! I love it! What a great way to pass on the hope.
LikeLike
I want Matt’s life!!! Imagine…the stories he can tell!?
LikeLike
Agreed Robynn – I can only imagine but how fun.
LikeLike
Wow, just wow. That’s awesome! Makes me think of another video I watched this week: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4CZ1bkkNI0 :)
LikeLike
People to people diplomacy at its best!
LikeLike
Bettie – I wanted to say “the world’s second best diplomat” as I think your son is pretty terrific! This is just a different kind of diplomacy!
LikeLike
I love these videos but I didn’t realize he was still traveling. Go, Matt, go! I think your sister-in-law is a wise woman. (P.S. Gave Marty a big hug for you yesterday!)
LikeLike
Thank you for hugging Marty for me! What a small world! I am assuming you live in Maadi? Do you have kids at CAC or the British School? I thought my sister-in-law was insightful as well about marriage and dancing! And lastly – Go, Matt, Go is right!
LikeLike
I live way out in Katameya and my baby graduated from the International School of Kuala Lumpur just before we moved here. I met Marty at the ladies Bible study at MCC. It’s been a more challenging move than most, without a school connection, but it has made me reach out and find other opportunities to make friends.
LikeLike