Changing Lives through Dancing by David Woodbury
Arthur Murray Dance Studio Santa Monica
“People are about as happy as they choose to be”
Abraham Lincoln
Hope in the direction of happiness. Hope has a direction. It is present. It is in front of us. It is learned from the past. “Faith is the evidence of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”.
Happiness is different for everyone. The renowned American Soprano, Beverly Sills, made a clear distinction between being “happy” and being “cheerful”. My favorite quote of her on this subject is as follows: “A happy woman is one who has no cares at all; a cheerful woman is one who has cares but doesn’t let them get her down.”
Two more quotes from Beverly Sills, “There are no shortcuts to any place worth going”. Also, “You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try”.
Happiness is a choice, a decision, a way of life. I’ve always known this, but have had a lifetime of struggle in practicing this. At 69, I have one formula that works for me 100%. Rather than bemoaning my current state, complaining always about others, being unhappy with things “happening” to me, I have had a change of thought.
Now, all the things that life can thrown at me still happen, but now I say, “I release this and offer this up”, and I let go of it. I’m not going to give space in my mind, heart, and soul for anything that robs me of my joy. Life is too short for that.
Bring in happiness every day. Every morning I invite light and healing energy into my mind and heart on first awakening. I have learned to immediately welcome light into my thoughts from the moment I wake up. My last thoughts at night seal in that light until the morning.
For me, every day is a day full of mercy and grace. This may seem controversial, but I do not believe that every day is a good day. Please don’t condemn me. For me, I have bad days. Days where I am not happy. Days that are a dread. Days that beat me up.
The bright side of this for me is, when I do have a good day, it is spectacular. It is amazing and tell everyone about it. (I keep my bad days to myself). I am aware of the good days first day in the morning and that feeling lasts throughout the day.
If your day is not a good day, it may yet become a good day. Hang in there!
I’m thankful even for my bad days. I’m thankful for the good days. I’m happy to still be alive and I am thankful for a joyous heart.
Thank you for reading and Keep on Dancing!
“Dance & Thrive in ‘25”
David Woodbury