Dancing at 7am is Not Acceptable (in the suburbs)

On the drive to work today, there was a young man dancing on the sidewalk. Ear buds in his ears, the wire that connected from mp3 player to earbuds was keeping the beat with him as they swayed to and fro.  Hands in the air in slow motion and intermittently clapping while he mouthed words I didn't recognize.  He looked as jovial as I wanted to feel driving in to work. 

Because we were in traffic I was able to watch him for a while.  I was also able to see the look on people's faces, in their cars, as they were put off by this young man.  A cop slowly approached and he immediately stopped dancing and singing.  The cop seemed to want to know what in the world he was thinking.  It looked as if he was beginning to get lectured.  Authoritative fingers and gestures flashed before the young man.  He motioned for him to get into the patrol car.

What is it that we think when we see someone acting out of the cookie cutter box we’re placed in?  

What is it about authority that can drain the entire joy out of our day because it approaches a situation that doesn’t require authority to preside?

The world would look entirely different if we all danced and sang at 7am just like that young man.