No 49. Changing Lives through Dancing
By David Earl Woodbury
Friday, December 4, 2015
Achievement vs. Success
“My mother drew a distinction between achievement and success. She said that achievement is the knowledge that you have studied and worked hard and done the best that is within you. Success is being praised by others. That is nice but not as important or satisfying. Always aim for achievement and forget about success.”- Helen Hayes 1900-1993) American Stage/Film Actress
All my life I have wanted to be a success. A star. The best of the bunch. The leader in every area. I wanted to have be most, be the most and be at the top of the ladder. Success was all I strived to do.
“The important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part. The essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.” – Baron de Coubertin, The Olympic Creed
Yes, now in my life I still want to be the winner, and I love being a winner. At 59 I also know the value of taking part and fighting the game and fighting well.
“Every position must be held to the last man: there must be no retirement. With our backs to the wall, and believing in the justice of our cause, each one of us must fight on to the end.”- Earl Douglas Haig (1861-1928) British General and Commander of the Expeditionary Force in World War I
As we strive for our winning position in life, perhaps we meet with challenges that test the core of our being. We set up our “perfect life” and then the walls of Jericho come tumbling down around us. Have you ever been just sure that everything was right, then suddenly everything around you changed? Have you experienced everything in your life going right, everything going wrong? I hate to tell you this, but that’s normal life. Change is the one true thing we may depend on in our lives.
“It doesn’t matter how often you get knocked down; what matters is how often you get back up.” – Vince Lombardi (1913 – 1970)American Football Coach
How do I cope with all the changes that come my way? Humor has been a been factor for me in these post years. Don’t think I don’t have my share of tears. I’m good for a cry daily. But I am laughing more every day. It’s a medicine for the soul. It makes me look on the bright side of life.
“Humor is an affirmation of dignity, a declaration of man’s superiority to all that befalls him.” – Romain Gary (1914-1980) French Writer
My life now consists of constantly thinking about the many, many opportunities that I have in my life. To serve at St. Monica Church, to write motivational material and to speak to uplift others. How to raise money for kids through dance and music? Supporting our Chamber and local businesses. Keeping a great home and a beautiful love life. Honoring my family and friends. Being a mentor and guiding others to be the best in their lives. Mistakes are now met with a huge laugh and then moving on. I need all my energy to be positive for the great things in my life. Oh by the way, all this is full of great Arthur Murray Dancing!
What I think of comes to pass in my life. I watch the thoughts that enter and have border control for my mind. You must have a purpose to enter and a reason to stay if you are a thought coming through my brain. I don’t want the negative thoughts and I have seen how this behavior destroy others. Remember anger is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. It’s not worth it. Just let go and move on!
“The greatest discovery of my generation is that man can alter his life simply by altering his attitude of mind.” – William James (1842 – 1910) American Philosopher and Psychologist
Have a bit of courage in your life. Take a chance. Have a mentor or two check your actions and remember to ask lots of questions along the way. Make sure you only ask champions and friends of light and hope to help guide your way. And remember to GIVE BACK after you receive. Blessings are like produce, if you don’t share them they will perish and spoil. Be of a good heart and do as my mother always said, “Keep a little song in your heart!”
David Woodbury
Keep on Dancing!