4-10-20 “I’ve Found Some Joy in These Dark Times!”
“The great end of art is to strike the imagination with the power of a soul that refuses to admit defeat even in the midst of a collapsing world.”
– Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 – 1900)
German philosopher
First, a huge thank you for all our essential workers. Fire, Police, Paramedics, Doctors, nurses and hospital workers. Those delivering food and supplies, those at the markets and all other essential jobs. Thank you for your brave and selfless efforts and hard work. We could not eat or live safely without you.
I’m writing this during the virus “peak” in LA County. We are asked to not go out, even to the pharmacy or market this week.
How have I found any joy during all of this? Well, in our house, Joel Rieck is filming group classes and hosting them live in the evenings, and he is teaching personal sessions every day. We are visiting with our students online and seeing everyone from the comfort our living room to your own homes. We have happy voices in the house and dance music playing throughout the day. Because we have a weak WiFi signal, we film the groups and sit the phone on top of the router for it to slowly load. Quite a long process for Joel and he does it all with a big smile.
Before our “Stay at Home” was raised to a higher level this week, Joel was driving to Arthur Murray Santa Monica, sitting in his car by the front door, and uploading his group classes from the super-fast WiFi in our school! Now that’s dedication!
Even though we are not in the physical Arthur Murray Santa Monica, we are super busy every day, joining Webinars and having Franchisee Meetings with studio owners from all around the country and the world, producing group classes and teaching personal sessions.
I’m having cameo visits on the online lessons and groups with Sieglinde (Teenie) and Sigmund (Boo), our sweet kitties, having them take a bow and saying “Hi” to our Arthur Murray family.
We’re attending mass and are celebrating Holy Week and Passover all from our online devices.
I’m cooking up a storm. I’m planning menus, carefully printing up grocery lists and preparing for each warrior visit to the market to find precious ingredients. I show up to the market at 6:30 AM, mask and gloves on and I quickly head to the chicken and meat departments, sundries, fresh items and bread, eggs, and dairy products. My words of full of thank yous to all the workers at the market, especially at the checkout. I’ve been going to the same two markets for 32 years now. They are family to me.
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest accomplishment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
– Leo Buscaglia (1924 – 1998)
American author
Returning home from the market, I carefully unpack, wash the items, shower and change clothes. Then I sort the items and enjoy the precious hours of preparing, cooking, serving and cleaning. What a joy I have found in this simple daily task of cooking. For just a few minutes, I am in another place, free, happy, and fully of joy.
The reality that our business, our life’s dream, has been closed for a month is always there. The reality of the possibility of catching the virus is everywhere. I am aware of that. Still, I am in command of my thoughts and how they affect me.
“The great end of art is to strike the imagination with the power of a soul that refuses to admit defeat even in the midst of a collapsing world.”
– Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 – 1900)
German philosopher
I also am aware that every day I am feeling gratitude, humility, joy, hope, peace, and thankfulness for all the good in my life. The hope of reopening our Arthur Murray School again soon is very real to me. I can see it and feel it and anticipate it. I think we will be super busy when our door hope. Everyone is so hungry for community and fun and we’ll be there to dance with our returning and new Arthur Murray students.
So, do I have joy that is guilt-free, yes I do. I am staying strong, positive, and living in grace every moment of every day. Perhaps this joy will help someone who is overcome with loneliness and sorrow. Those who struggle with depression even on a good day may be truly suffering during these dark times. Perhaps they may be lifted through this encouraging word. Perhaps the unknown and the news and the TV, Internet, mobile devices, and the isolation is too much for a lot of us.
Try this. Put on some music and get up and move and DANCE! Clap your hands, move your body. Watch a dance class on Facebook at Arthur Murray Santa Monica. Watch a funny movie, or a funny comedian on Netflix. Call a dear friend and have a video chat. Send hope messages via texts, emails, Facebook, or get this, calling them on the phone.
Watch a service online. Observe Passover or Easter. Remember that we have the ability to believe and we are free to believe.
Because I am someone who has always suffered from depression, I now choose joy and happiness. The past does not have to define me. This world pandemic has the power to destroy me if I let it, and I chose to dance, laugh, love, live and I know that I am a stronger person to help inspire others.
“The great end of art is to strike the imagination with the power of a soul that refuses to admit defeat even in the midst of a collapsing world.”
– Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 – 1900)
German philosopher
Do not accept defeat. This all will pass. We will look back in our lives and ask “What did you do during your “Stay at Home” time during the virus? We’ll all remember getting through this. We will live to be able to tell others in the next crisis, “It will get better”, and it will!
I wish your health, safety, peace of mind and soul. Dance, Cook, Laugh, Love. Call a friend, get some much-needed rest. Revisit your neglected hobbies. Read. Pray. Before we know it, we’ll all be back to our “new normal”
My mom always said, “Keep a little song in your heart”. And remember to sing that song while you wash your hands. You’ll get in a full 20 seconds (or more) of washing and you’ll feel great!
Thank you for reading.
Love you all,
David Woodbury
It will get better…and it will!