A Passionate Sense of the Potential 8-5-16

No 32 Changing Lives through Dancing
By David Earl Woodbury

Friday, August 5, 2016

A Passionate Sense of the Potential

“If I were to wish for anything, I should not wish for wealth and power, but for the passionate sense of the potential, for the eye which, ever young and ardent, sees the possible…what wine is so sparkling, so fragrant, so intoxicating, as possibility!”- Soren Aabye Kierkegaard (1813 – 1855) Danish Philosopher

There are some people in my life who electrify me. They are charismatic and are visionaries. Even an email from one of them gives me a chill, a laugh, a tear, a pause, a moment of rest, a ray of sunlight. There are those in my life who move me just by watching them in action. They cast a beam of light wherever they go.  And to talk to them, they are humble and do not feel their calling to serve others is anything less than a wonderful blessing.

“Surround yourself with people you want to become like”.  Now as I look around me, at the circle of the great pillars of strength in my life, I am surrounded with great leaders, mentors, givers, actuators, organizers, thinkers, inspirers, innovators, guides, teachers, examples of a good life, motivators, uplifters, guides, supporters, and humble servants. Yes, I do want to become just like those who surround me with their love and support.

Dancers always ask me “How do I get better in my dancing?” My answer is always the same, get on the dance floor and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Enter a dance competition. Scare yourself silly and dance in front of a 200-person crowd dancing a solo exhibition with your partner. Get out there and dance!

Do you know when you are ready to do an exhibition? It’s the moment you walk off the floor, for your first thought is “I wish I could dance that over again”. And you will dance it over again many times.

The best part of being on the competitive dance floor is that you are surrounded by great dancers and they pull your skill level up to new heights! A dance showcase is worth 50 lessons, for you come back a different, transformed dancer.  A major dance competition, one over 3 to 5 days, is in itself worth 100 personal sessions. You come back twice the dancer you were when you left, and you are then ready to tackle a new dance adventure. Your confidence is solid and your vision of your dancing is clear!

For the ‘passionate sense of the potential’, I feel it so strongly that it eats me up. Sometimes this passion is like a burning heat and consumes me. I’d rather feel passion for life every moment that to go through life without feeling and a strong sense of direction.

I have a friend who is lost. Completely lost. Not sure what to do, when to do it, how to do it, or even why to do it. They are beyond my help at this point and I just try to live a life of example for them. Every day I try to give a smile, a great word of direction and never cast a cloud of uncertainty or blame.  I remember when I was lost and I remember those who pulled me through it, and those that hindered me. To this day, I am full or gratitude for those who kept my light burning through the ‘dark night of the soul’.

“Tough times never last. Tough people do.”- Robert Schuller (1926) American Minister, Evangelist

Never envy others. Who knows, you might end up with what they have you might be miserable with what they have. The money, good looks, the luck, the family, the education, the possessions. You never know what it is like to be someone else so just remember that any rough time you might be having will pass, and you’ll be stronger for going through it.

I’ll leave you with this thought. “It will get better” You’ll make it. You’ll succeed. You’ll see light again. You’ll be alright and OK very soon! I love you. I believe in you. My heart goes out to you to share with you that it’s OK to see in life what is sparkling, fragrant, intoxicating.

Live it up, today is a miracle!

Keep On Dancing!

David Woodbury

DavidEarlWoodbury@gmail.com (email me if you like my blogs!)