“…Dance while you can,
Dance, dance for the figure is easy,
The tune is catching and will not stop;
Dance till the stars come down from the rafters;
Dance, dance, dance till you drop.”
Quote by W.H. Auden
I have loved dancing since I can remember. My mom used to say that when I was in diapers, I would wiggle my way out of her arms and dance in the aisles of the movie theater when music played. Dancing, I guess, is in my blood. I have often said that one of the best feelings is to get lost in a song. You and the song become one and it is simply a great way to feel alive.
You can substitute the word “live” for dance in the quote above and you get a great way to look at life. Life is so short. What you have today, you may not have tomorrow. Of course, you may always have more tomorrow than you have today, too. Life is so fluid and so beautiful. Rigidity is created by man and is not a healthy way to live.
One of the people that I love to see being interviewed on television is Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones. That man always seems to be happy and in his own happy world. Of course, you can never tell if he is on drugs or not. However, when you watch him play guitar, I swear the guy is in nirvana. I like people like that…people who are content in their own little worlds (without the aid of drugs or alchohol) because they are such a joy to be around. Are you ever joyful after spending time with someone who is in cranky pants mode? I think not.
So in closing, the next time you feel down or frustrated or stressed out, just dance it off. Not only will your body thank you but your soul will thank you, too.
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Thank you! I stayed up really late last night and woke up feeling a little less than. I loved the video and the reminder of how much I love to dance. Great music too. The perfect energizer before a busy day. Many thanks!
Katie
Hi Katie!
Welcome to Happy Lotus! I am happy that you loved the post. Have a wonderful day!
Beautiful post, Nadia! I especially like the part about substituting “live” for “dance. very wise advice, indeed!
I play guitar, and I get like that when I play sometimes. I love playing with a band, and letting them go into a circular chord progression (one that can be played over and over again indefinitely), while I wail away playing lead. Just as you surmised, it *is* Nirvana. At least it’s the closest I’ve ever come to it in this world. You close your eyes, shut out the world, and just ride the wave of the music you’re creating. The audience (if there is one) melts away, all your troubles melt away, and there’s nothing left but you and the music…and the joy of being one with the music. And since the music (in that moment) is everything, you become one with everything.
Wow. I just realized what I’ve been missing from my life!
It has been too long since I jammed with some good friends…..
Hi Jay!
Welcome to Happy Lotus! I am so happy that you enjoyed this post and that you can relate to the joys of music!
I absolutely love dancing!! No matter what mood I’m in or what’s going on in my life, if I start dancing, I instantly feel revitalized (which reminds me…I should sign up for a dance class or something!). That being said, I’m not the best dancer so I also kinda get a kick out of looking foolish (especially if other people around). Laughing + dancing = instantly happy!
Hi P.P.!
Good for you! Dancing is a great mood lifter. I am with you on the laughing too. I have a post coming up on that subject too!
I decided (about two years ago) that if I were ever to get another tattoo, I would get the word “dance” on the inner right wrist. Why? For me, “dance” has always been my metaphor for “life.” (Like you said…Great minds think alike…) And I would get in on my wrist as a daily reminder to LIVE every day to its fullest.
The funny thing is that I have always been so uncomfortable dancing when others are around–I am positively uncomfortable in my own skin. For the record, I dance like crazy in my own house, with only my kids in attendance. Why? I don’t want to look like a fool. And that’s the same reason that holds me back from doing other things in life.
Boy. Talk about a confessional in your comment section! ; )
Hi Kirwin!
I agree with you that dance is a methaphor for life. You are not alone in feeling more comfortable dancing in private. I know many people who feel that way!
I really liked the Dirty Dancing movie.
I’m not very good at dancing, but I still do it sometimes in private. I’m embarrassed to admit that I used to go to Discos when I was 18 years old at the peak of the disco music fad.
I find that music in general has a significant influence on my mood and sometimes I use music to improve my workouts, reduce stress, and so on.
Hi Roger!
Music does wonders!
BTW, I was very little when disco was around and I remember family members listening to the Bee Gees. How times have changed! 
Loved your guest post over at attraction mind map!
And we need to dance together. The clip you picked tells me we’ll have fun!
Hi Jess,
So glad you liked the guest post!
I am all for fun..woo hoo! 
Nadia, I LOVE dancing! How’d you know? Have you tried YogaDance or Journey Dance or any of those styles? One of these days I am going to get certified to teach Journey Dance. It’s so great.
Thanks for this post. I think another way to put this is that it’s difficult to be miserable if you are feeling really aware of what’s going on in your body. Putting your attention there brings your mind into the present, and out of replaying painful memories and imagining how everything’s going to go wrong in the future.
Hi, Nadia! Yet another thing we have in common! Are we twins, who were separated at birth?
I’ve always loved to Latin dance… maybe it’s in my blood. Dancing was one of the first classes I added to my son’s homeschool curriculum. I don’t mean the “How To” kind of class, but the “Turn the music up loud and jump around the room” kind instead. We also listen to classical masterpieces at night in bed and describe to eachother what the mood of each song might be trying to convey. I think Music is the universal language, so it helps to learn how to really listen to it (and feel it).
Next time we’re in the same city, you and I are going dancing!
@ Michelle – I have never heard about yoga dance or journey dance!!! Wow…that sounds awesome. I am going to have to email you to get more info. Thank you so much for letting me know about these two yoga styles!
@ Chris – Welcome to Happy Lotus! You raise a great point! It is hard to feel miserable if you are aware of what is happening within you. So true!
@ Lisis – You got a deal!
I agree with you about music being a universal language. I think that is why certain songs are popular worldwide! I hope your son realizes how blessed he is to be in a school that is so open-minded and fun!!! 
I couldn’t tell you my favourite driving music, but one of my favourite songs to dance flowing, south American dance moves to is You’re Just too Good to be True. Just singing it inside my head makes me smile! One of my happiest memories is dancing to it with a Spanish friend in Greece one balmy summer night in a restaurant by the sea.
Hi Janice,
I am with you on the joys of South American dance! As for the memory you shared with us, that sounds beautiful. You cannot go wrong with a balmy night by the sea!
I have to get dancing. I’ve been so self-conscious about it. Stupid, really. I even feel silly dancing in my apartment because I think my neighbors downstairs can tell how bad a dancer I am from the way the floor creaks. I have to put some time in and get comfortable, that’s all. I’ll dance tonight because of this post, I promise. Bug me about it!
@ David – You got a deal! I will be sure to remind you. There is no need to feel stupid and self-conscious. The key is to have fun!
@ Evelyn – You are right, dancing makes a person feel alive and that is a wonderful feeling!
I think dancing is more of a girl thing…I have no idea why so I am not surprised your girls love dancing!
I’d love to see David dance….LOL!!
Thanks for the suggestion. Dancing brings out an aliveness in us. I haven’t danced in a long time. It wouldn’t be difficult to. I’d just put on some music and get my girls to dance with me. They love dancing!!
We tend to lose the body/emotion connection in this society. Dance is such a wonderful antidote.
My favorite dance form is Butoh. It’s so expressive and personal at the same time. It is often a spiritual practice – being so vulnerable in a way that often doesn’t have a reason.
Hi Matthew,
Welcome to Happy Lotus! I agree that there is a tendency to lose the body/emotion connection because we are bombarded by so many other things. I have never heard of Butoh. Thank you for mentioning it. It is always great to learn new things to I will have to check it out!
Hi Nadia
I love what you said about replace the Dance with Live, you very so smart. I enjoyed that very much. It is hard to be unhappy when I dance.
Dance like no one is watching, that is the best way to dance.
By the way, I love the video. I did get up and dance a little
Thanks,
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Giovanna!
I agree…it is best to dance like no one is watching because when you do that, you have so much more fun! I know what you mean about the video, it does make you want to get up and dance!
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