“Courage”

Changing Lives through Dancing by David Woodbury                                      

Arthur Murray Dance Studio Santa Monica

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”

     -Anaïs Nin. Diarist. Essayist, novelist and writer of short stories.

My whole life I have done “the things I thought I could not do”. Started a new career with Arthur Murray. Moved across the USA by myself to take my Dance Judge’s test and compete as a dance professional. Moving to Los Angeles after selling my home, leaving a studio I loved in a city I loved. Moving without a job waiting for me. Purchasing my first studio. Now co-owing my second studio.

Even when others said “No, you can’t do that”, I still followed my dreams and listened to my own heart.

Where has all this landed me? Well, I’m almost 70 and I’m celebrating 50 years as a dance professional with Arthur Murray Studios. I’ve been lucky in love, and am in my 19^th year with Joel Rieck (he deserves a big star in the heavens to have put up with me!)

Did I think that I had courage to do all these things? The truth is that I just did not listen when others said I could not do something. I was deaf to their words of disbelief in me.

In my exciting career, I have taught students who know one else expected that they were champions in the making. Many times, I remember dancing with someone and quickly realizing that they were fantastic and super talented. I would openly tell them that they were exceptional and that I could make them into a champion ballroom dancer. They listened with courage and faith and belief. Months later, when they were standing in the final line up of dancers in a competition, going from 6^th, 5^th, 4^th, 3^rd, then second, and there were two couples left standing, and then the other couple was announced as 2^nd and we, she, was 1^st. I would always say, “You are a true champion! You always were and always will be a champion.” They had courage!

I have pluck. I have vision. I have hope. I have dreams. I have courage. I wish I could meet you my reader and hold your hands and say, “You are a Champion and I believe in you!” Take the first step and believe in yourself. I believe in you, yes, I do!

Thank you for reading!

“Steps & Kicks in ‘26”

David Woodbury