Changing Lives through Dancing by David Woodbury
Arthur Murray Santa Monica
The great American Soprano, Renee Fleming, shares the stories of her two meetings with the great diva, Leontyne Price, regarding the skill of not listening to the noise of life. Ms. Fleming was going through some challenges and asked Madam Price, what do I do?
Madam Price, from Laurel, Mississippi, started her great career living in the Jim Crow south. In her Julliard years, she was told she had the voice of the century. She then starred on Broadway in Porgy and Bess and the world found her. The most famous opera houses of the world opened their doors to her and she conquered the operatic world.
One of her many, many achievements was opening the new Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, singing Anthony and Cleopatra by Samuel Barber. Mr Barber wrote the opera for Madam Price’s voice and for the opening of the new Met Opera House. Madam Price is a true living legend.
Ms. Fleming said that Madam Price advised her to focus only on her voice and to block out all the confusion and “noise” that was invading her mind. She advised her to not listen to all the noise from all the advice coming her way and people pulling her in directions that she did not want to go.
Ms. Fleming said this advise was crucial to her career and helped her achieve world-wide status as one of the world’s top vocal artists. Ms. Fleming is still singing today and has received countless awards and accolades, including the Kennedy Center Award.
In life, as well as in Ballroom Dancing, we must keep our focus and block out all the noise and confusion that can impede our progress and dampen our enthusiasm and dim our dreams.
We must listen to the still small voice that guides us. We can only hear that voice when we shut out the buzzing and churning of the voices all around us. When I do receive the best advice, I cannot receive it when I am clouded and deafened by the cacophony of chaos around me. Let us pause, quiet ourselves and listen to the true voice in our hearts.
Most of the biggest decisions in life come from hearing that inner quiet voice, that whisper of an unction in our hearts guiding and leading us.
I love the great story of young Samuel. He was ministering under the servant Eli. Samuel was sleeping in the temple where the arc of God was. The Lord called out to Samuel, and Samuel ran to Eli and said “here I am”. Eli said “I did not call you”. This happened two more times. Then Eli realized that God had not revealed Himself to Samuel. Eli instructed Samuel to respond the next time God’s voice awakening him and to respond “Speak, for your servant is listening”.
I love this story, for the call had to come three times before Samuel realized that God was calling to him. In our lives, that “still small voice” comes to us many times, yet we might not always know where the voice is coming from. Now, in my own life, I pray “Speak, for your servant is listening”. I’ve missed this calling so many times in my life, now I am listening, and I know how to answer that call.
My new habit is to have a quiet time of silence and meditation daily. I let the noise around me, and inside my head quiet. I even look down with my eyes closed so I cannot even see distractions in my mind. Many times I have and continue to have answers come to me during these times of silence. I find answers in my life. I pause, and listen to the voice of God, speaking to me. Guiding me. Caring for me. Leading me.
No matter what your beliefs are, taking a moment of silent meditation daily will calm and renew you. The eyes of your heart will open with 20/20 vision. Listen, be still. Wait, and hear the answers you need in your life.
Thanks for reading!
Here’s to dancing in 2024!
David Woodbury