Changing Lives through Dancing by David Woodbury Arthur Murray Santa Monica
Noise, Noise, Noise. It is everywhere. Phones ringing, cars honking, dogs barking, the noise of life is everywhere. I have tinnitus. When it does get quiet around me, I then begin to hear the ringing in my head and ears. Then there is even the sound of silence for me. A good example is when you have a house of cats and suddenly there is not a peep coming from them. You may find they are eating a shoe, unraveling all the TP, or at the top a high shelf and they have knocked everything over.
Worry, anxiety, apprehension. We all carry a bit of this with us. How will I fix what happened today? How will I be ready for tomorrow? What am I going to do in this situation? Before we know it, the worries of the world can get inside our heads and take away our peace of mind.
My favorite thing about dancing: When I am dancing, I am in the moment. I’m not anxious about what happened early that day. I’m not worried about the upcoming evening or tomorrow. I’m not fearful nor do I have anxiety. I’m truly happy in that moment in time. Dancing to the music and feeling the rhythm with my partner, I’m just groovin’ and moovin’. My most favorite part of dancing is when I am performing. I feel so safe. I do not have to answer the phone. No one can stop and ask me a question or ask me to fill the hand towels. I love performing with my partner and I love seeing the faces of the crowd. It truly is a moment of freedom and peace and safety for me. I love the applause of the audience. But then reality hits…after I bow, I come back to reality and I go to fill the paper towel dispenser.
I have seen students who were very ill walk up to the dance floor to perform. They are sometimes stooped over, shuffling, and even anxious. Then, they take the floor and a bit of magic changes them. Suddenly, they have perfect posture, great smiles, they have exuberant energy and they come alive and age and illness falls away from them. They excite the audience and dance to perfection. They are magical. They are young and healthy again. When they leave the floor, you can still see the glorious energy still glowing from them. They have experienced dancing in the moment and the magic of being in the moment.
In many years of dancing, I have danced in shows in front of hundreds of people, and I can tell you that it is very exciting and a bit frightening at the same time. The moment the music begins, there is only my partner and the dance. I love every second of performing and presenting my partner. I love the steps, the music, the connection and the partnership. Many of those moments are still alive in my heart today.
When I am dancing, I am free. Free from pain, illness, doubt, depression and anxiety. I am filled with electricity, joy, happiness and safety and I am full of youthful vigor. Yes, my favorite part of dancing is being present and feeling the freedom of that moment. My wish in life is to continue to dance forever. I can’t wait to dance as an old man (I think I’m almost there at 68!). I always have a little kick and mischief inside of me and I always give that to my audience. Everyone loves to see the youthfulness that takes over with an older dancer. I’ve still got it and I’m going to keep on giving it.
Keep on dancing and keep on living in the moment. Need a boost? Need a perfect moment? Take to the dance floor and shake a leg!
Thanks for reading,
David Woodbury