“Dance is the movement of the universe concentrated in an individual.”— Isadora Duncan
I’m a big fan of dancing for no reason. My partner will often catch me sock dancing (you know sliding like ice-skating, only with socks), chair dancing, or just all out dancing by myself for no reason.
I’ve been seen dancing outside on my deck facing a busy street. Or bee-bopping in my ear buds on a front step by myself. Back in the day I even river danced on a platform in a bar. And, let me assure you, I have no idea how to river dance. It was glorious.
There is truly something therapeutic about moving your body to a beat-regardless of your skill level. Similarly there is also something beautiful about dancing in the rhythm of the moment. Observing the notes of the beat in front of you in the now. And dancing with each one as if they were written just for you. Because they are.
There is an ancient proverb that talks about a king searching for the meaning of life. He hears of a master teacher who only works with common folks. So he dresses up in peasant’s gear. Leaves his guards close behind, and journeys to the teacher. When he gets there he finds the teacher working in the garden. He asks him:
What is the meaning of life?
No response.
He decides to leave, as the day is growing late.
The king notices the teacher having trouble digging a hole, due to physical limitations. So he stays and works away in the garden for him. After the planting is done, a bleeding man suddenly comes rushing into the clearing. The king & teacher immediately attend to what would have been a fatal wound.
When the man wakes he confesses that he was coming to kill the king, as he had taken his brother’s lands. He came upon the king’s guard and they had wounded him. After the kindness the king had shown him, he now professed his lifelong loyalty and gratitude to the king. The king responded by giving him back his brothers lands and sending him on his way.
As the king got up to leave he asks the teacher, one more time:
What is the meaning of life?
The teacher, to his surprise, softly responded:
There is only one time or purpose that is important-now!...it is the only time when we have any power. The most important person, the one in front of you. And the purpose, to do him good, as this was what man was sent into this life for. If you had not planted my seeds for me yesterday, the man would have attacked you. The most important time was that moment, I, the man in front of you, the most important person, and the purpose to help who needed attended. If you had not assisted the man with his injuries he would have died without making his peace. Again the man, the time, the purpose all in front of you in the now.
Dance with the moments in front of you friends. Your partners are the people in front of you, dancing with you in this very moment. Your legacy is, as Maya Angelou sagely tells us, every life we touch. Dance with these moments when it doesn’t make sense. When it is embarrassing. When you are happy. When you are sad. Do not let what others think of you influence how or when you dance. This moment before you is your chance to shine. It is your destiny. Life is providing you with the partner of these moments. And I can’t wait to see your mad moves! Shine on lightworkers : )
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