There is so much joy to be had in our lives, but we often miss it. There is so much potential inside every person that often goes unused. There is so much abundance available to all of us, but we often make excuses as to why we don’t deserve it. What I am saying is that there is more for me and there is more for you. I want you to remember this simple concept; no matter how you feel, dance anyway.
Last weekend there was a Latin festival in St Kilda, so a friend and I decided to go and experience the vibrant Latino culture. When I think of the people from the wonderful South American countries, I think of passion, smiles, laughter, food, and dancing. I love the passion, the smiles, the laughter, and the food. The dancing, however, terrifies me. Why? Latin dancing is the most amazing dancing there is, but it seems so complex, and it scares me to death. So, as we walked across to the festival area, I was wearing my ‘I’m really excited’ mask, when in reality I was on the verge of soiling my undies.
As we arrived and walked in, the first thing we saw were the people dancing the samba, the tango, the rumba, or one of those incredibly complicated dances, as I perceived them to be. So, I quickly suggested, before my friend had other ideas, that we look around and get something to eat and drink. She agreed. Phew, temporary reprieve. We enjoyed some wonderful Argentinian food, had a couple of drinks, and I was feeling a little more relaxed. There was a DJ playing current South American music, and many people dancing with incredible joy on their faces. We wandered over, and before I knew what was happening, I was dancing in my own very unassuming way.
After a while, my body was getting into the rhythm. We walked back over to where the others were dancing with actual classic moves. Again, I had no intention of dancing, until a South American lady dressed appropriately, grabbed me by the hand and gave me no choice. I didn’t want to, but I danced anyway. She taught me a few moves, and I didn’t trip up. We danced for a few minutes, and, surprise surprise, it wasn’t as hard as I imagined it would be, and, I actually enjoyed it. Am I going to be a superstar dancer? No, I’m not. Is it something I am going to do every week? No, it isn’t. But, as life does, it taught me a lesson. You may not feel like dancing, but dance anyway.
This is such a beautiful metaphor for life, isn’t it? You may have seen the many quotes out there that suggest the same message. Quotes like:
Dance like no-one is watching,
Love like you’ve never been hurt,
Sing like no-one is listening,
Live like heaven is on earth.
Let me tell you, when my alarm goes off in the morning at 4:52am, I don’t feel like getting up to exercise. I get up anyway. There are many times, I don’t feel like writing. I write anyway. When the time comes to make my phone calls for the day, I am a little terrified. I make the calls anyway. Before you start to think I do everything anyway, irrespective of how I am feeling, I don’t. There are times when I know I should do certain things, and I talk myself out of them. I am working hard every day to change that, but, like you, I am human.
I just want to encourage you to dance anyway. There are things you know you will be glad you did after they are done. So, even though at the time you may not feel like it, or think you can, do them anyway. The fun things, the helping other people things, and the important things. Feel the resistance but do them anyway. My two recent podcasts with Rhonda Britten, called A Gold Star Day, and Ash Perrow called Play Bigger, are wonderfully inspiring conversations that I know will help you dance anyway.
You have heard it before many times. When you get to the end of your life, you will either be saying, I wish I had done more and not let fear stop me, or, I am glad I did the things I was scared to do. I know it’s hard to imagine that time, so don’t. I want to encourage you to just think about the only day you have. That is today. Commit to yourself that no matter what comes your way and no matter your feeling of resistance, dance anyway.