Changing Lives through Dancing by David Woodbury
Arthur Murray Dance Studio Santa Monica
Fate whispers to the Warrior
“You cannot withstand the storm”
The Warrior whispers back
“I am the storm”
I am a warrior. I have sailed the storms of life and I’m still here.
Dancing has given me a long life. Arthur Murray has given me a lifetime of dancing with the greatest dance organization in the world. My whole life has been surrounded heroes, champions, mentors, organizers, coaches and dance judges and many precious dance students.
The miracle of a lifetime of ballroom dancing is that we have truly spoken directly to fate, and we have beat the odds, over and over. We have danced through the best and the worst that life can throw at us. My friends who have been dancing with Arthur Murray Dance Studio for decades have survived and thrived through good days and bad. Sickness and health. Loss and rebirth. Failure and success. We have made it and have survived and thrived.
In my younger foolish days, I would say “Bring it on!” I never say that now, because it all did come to me. Now, I pray, give me the strength to endure and make it through what trials You give to me.
Do you know any warriors? I do. All the dancers who have made it through injuries, have placed last in a competition and have come back to first place in a final. Coaches who have had surgeries and have continued to coach. Friends who had danced just after a loss in their lives.
My dad was a warrior. Daddy was strong and vibrant until his last night on earth. On his last night, he asked that all machines in his room the turned off or silenced. He said for no one to come in that night and check in on him or disturb him. The next morning, he was found on his bed, fully dressed on top of his sheets and duvet. His arms were crossed over his heart holding his bible. Daddy was not withstanding the storm, he truly was the storm!
If life whispers to you that you will not make it, don’t listen. Don’t give up or give in. Take a quiet moment and whisper back that you will make it. You are a warrior. You are the storm.
Be encouraged. Have faith. It will get better.
Thank you for reading and Keep on Dancing!
“Dance & Thrive in ‘25”
David Woodbury