I love dancing. In my younger years, I was too self-conscious to dance without having a few drinks first. Once I got out onto that dance floor, I didn’t want to stop once I started dancing. All those nights dancing in rock and new wave clubs like Granny’s Attic, Malibu, Spit, Speaks, and the OBI were fun times shared with friends. I am glad I no longer need a few drinks to loosen up and dance. Do you remember those days? Gosh, our self-esteem really needed a good kick in the pants. Mine did, anyway. Not today. Today, I have a different mindset.
This past summer, I loved going to see live bands. One band I saw, one of my favorites, was “Just Sixties.” They played at a beach, and I danced for the first time in the sand. Just being barefoot and feeling that sand under my feet was such a new, delightful experience.
Dancing is good for your mind, body, and soul. It lifts you up and energizes you. It releases those good endorphins. I think about the different times I danced and the feelings evoked. It was all fun and happy feelings. A favorite dancing memory was as a teen dancing all crazy with my friends in my tiny bedroom, especially with Lois. Hey, if you are reading this, remember Lo? Elton John’s Yellow Brick Road album and Crocodile Rock. Also, Judy in Disguise with Glasses and all the other 45s that were in the case my eldest brother threw away, and I took like a Red Rubber Ball. We had so much fun. Last summer, when we saw an Elton John tribute band, Lois and I relived being 15 again, singing along to Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting, but with our own rendition of a specific part of it, laughing and feeling young again.
One of my favorite memories of dancing is with my son when he was little. I would put music on, and we would dance together, all crazy in the living room. It was so much fun.
And then there is slow dancing. Such an intimate moment between lovers. Being so close to each other, lost in the moment, physically moving to the music while words of love pour out from a song straight into your soul. I imagine this is the way it is with those who are so deeply in love.
The song I hope you dance is taking dance into the whole of your life. At the end of 9th grade, I recall my moving up dance, sitting with friends against the wall, watching others dance, and inside just wanting so badly to dance but sitting it out. That is the song Just Dance. Don’t sit on the sidelines, don’t sit it out. Get out and do the things you love to do. Embrace life deeply.
Live… genuinely live with your whole being. Do the things you want to do. Go to the places you want to go. Be with the people you want to be with. Don’t be on the sidelines. Life is too short. “Never fear those mountains in the distance, never settle for the path of least resistance, Livin’ might mean takin’ chances, but they’re worth takin'”. If there are things you want to do, do what you can to make those things possible. Make those things happen. LIVE!
Love… genuinely love with your whole being. Live love. Be love. Put your heart into everything. He who closes off their heart misses out on much. You take a chance on love,”Lovin’ might be a mistake, but it’s worth makin'”, and Don’t let some Hell bent heart leave you bitter, when you come close to sellin’ out reconsider”, Love others and love yourself. Love yourself enough to know not to accept ill treatment from others. and never sell out. Love yourself enough to know you are worthy of being deeply loved and love others that way. Give them your best. Imagine a world where we all loved like that. With all our hearts, minds, and souls. Where we take selfishness out of the equation and just purely love. I want that world. I desperately want that world. But that is where we are headed if we love..to heaven. Heaven is that world. Speaking of heaven, you should always “Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance”,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance. if you have that kind of love with just one person here on earth, you have everything. Anyway, the point is LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! It is not always easy at all, but just try to love. Even the small ways by a kind gesture, a smile, an acknowledgement. You don’t have to do big things, like St. Terese you can do small things with great love.
Laugh… genuinely laugh. Have fun and enjoy all the beautiful moments. Laugh with your whole being. Loosen up. Don’t be so serious. There is much to laugh at. Even ourselves. Be happy. Like that song, Don’t Worry, Be Happy. Then when you do not worry you will be happy and laugh more often.
Take every opportunity to embrace the beauty in life. Take a chance on love and have faith. Go for and grab onto that golden ring.
So dear friends. Join me in not wasting a moment. Make your life the best. Don’t stay stagnant. It doesn’t mean you have to keep moving. Just keep growing. Don’t let anyone keep you down. Life is short. Enjoy every moment. Do what you love, whether going on an adventure or chilling. Just do it. Do what you love.
And get out into the great outdoors and enjoy the beauty of nature. It is so good for you… body, mind, and soul. But whatever it is you want to do…Do it now.
My hope for you is that you dance! Don’t sit it out. Just dance.
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