Changing Lives through Dancing by David Woodbury
Arthur Murray Santa Monica
In 1972, when I was just 15, my dad bought me a beautiful clock radio. It was $125.00, super expensive at that time. He packed me off to college just before I turned 16, radio in hand. I carried it to many different places in my life. It finally ended up at 502 in 1989 and has been there ever since.
Years later when something blew out, Jim Byrd found a repair shop in downtown LA who specialized in such repairs. Jim told me that the repair was over twice the cost of the original radio. It has sat on the top 3 refrigerators and has always faithfully worked.
When my WiFi goes out or my 5G is a “NO G”, I turn that old radio on. I keep Classical KUSC, 91.5 FM on all the time for our two sweet kitties. Because it is analogue, I must carefully tune in the channel and it even has an external antenna.
I love that radio. I have a bit of daddy and a part of Jim in that wonderful machine. When our bad home internet connection disconnects, I run into the kitchen and turn the volume up.
When the station does get a bit off, I just dial the knob and tune in and “keep the signal”. I am reminded that an old technology can still bring me the music I love and show me the time.
When I pick up my mobile phone, and start looking for why I picked it up, I am bombarded with notifications, text bubbles, alerts from notes I have made for myself. Then I see the news that is pouring into my phone. All my missed calls, my Amazon orders that are arriving and those that have arrived. It only takes a moment for me to forget that I was looking for a MailChimp or WordPress login code. By that time my login screen has termed out and I’m on Facebook and Instagram! I lost my signal.
In the mornings, I first pray the Shema, then immediately move to my prayers. Then my meditations that are all on my mobile phone. It takes a lot of focus to look only at my prayers and readings first and not lose my purpose. I listen and meditate and finally get to my daily scripture readings from my monthly printed guide.
Then, after 7 or more focused readings, and meditations, I realize that I am done. The focus has taken me somewhere else. I feel fresh and blessed and revitalized. I did filter out the noise, I stayed tuned into the signal and kept it strong and clear until I was done.
Perhaps your morning focus is your morning walk or run. You might have hectic mornings from the moment you awaken. You might have your ear buds in so you can focus on peaceful music or readings. You might be feeding a family and pets, and yourself. You might be traveling. You could be under the weather.
No matter where you are, in your first moments, tune into the signal that gives you light, focus and strength. Block out the dark thoughts and welcome your first lovely thought that will easily awaken you.
You might be in the middle or end of your day and have an unexpected challenge that rocks your boat. Take a moment, breathe, and pause before speaking. That quick second of peace may have a huge effect on that moment. Tune into peace.
At 68, I am practicing controlling my first thoughts upon awakening and my last thoughts at night. I am being careful on what I take in through my ears and eyes. This also involves what is coming out of my mouth and controlling my secret inner thoughts.
I have a choice about listening to the “noise” around me. I have a toolkit of good habits that are helping me stay focused on what is best for me.
This is why I love ballroom dancing so much. When I am on the floor dancing with a partner, I am free. I am bathed in the music, focused on the dance, leading my partner, using my sequences, and I am practicing the constant floor craft needed to master moving around the dance floor. I am living in the wonderful moment, not worried about the day just behind me, nor the rest of the day ahead of me. I am in the present moment and it is glorious. I guess am truly “tuned in”, body, soul and spirit!
Surrounded by noise? Tune into your peaceful place and “keep your signal” strong.
Thanks for reading,
David Woodbury