No 6. Changing Lives through Dancing
By David Earl Woodbury
Friday, February 6, 2015
David Woodbury
Life and the power to live our lives.
We remember Katrina Morales today and pray for Tavio’s strength and we love Tavio with all our hearts at this time.
We will all experience disappointments and crushing events somewhere
along the way, setbacks for which there is no “reason”; no one to
blame. It might be a disease; it might be injury; it might be an
accident; it might be losing a loved one; it might be getting swept
away in a political shake up; it might be getting shot down over
Vietnam and thrown into a POW camp for 8 years. What separates
people, James Stockdale taught me, is not the presence or absence of
difficulties, but how they deal with the inevitable difficulties of
life.– Jim Collins
You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end – which
you can never afford to lose – with the discipline to confront the
most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.– James Stockdale (1923-) American Naval Officer and Prisoner of War
Unswerving loyalty to duty, constant devotion to truth, and a clear
conscience will overcome every discouragement and surely lead the way
to usefulness and high achievement.– Grover Cleveland
Last weekend was our Tournament of Champions awards weekend and banquet. We said farewell to Katrina and wrapped our arms of love around Tavio. The ballroom was full of love, faith, and support. Our Arthur Murray Santa Monica staff was in attendance.
On the morning we were to leave for the weekend, I washed my face and saw that the right side of my face was paralyzed from my brow to my chin! I had a presentation and awards in the evening, followed by another day of training. We went to the weekend, I gave my presentation, accepted awards, took photos, cried with Tavio, and my face was getting progressively worse. Along with this I had a painful ear infection.
By Sunday night we went to Urgent Care. I had experienced Bell’s palsy, an inflamed nerve that controls the muscles of the face. No stroke thank goodness. By Monday the whole side of my face was numb and I could not close my right eye which was painful and full of tears. Off to St. Johns for the right meds and treatment. Joel let me rest a couple of days, then back part time to the studio.
This illness comes on overnight and takes two weeks to a month for recovery. Such a scare.
What have I learned? I must learn how to spell the words REST and MODERATION. Live a life of gratitude and humility and remember that others are hurting while you are going through your own trials.
Live in the moment, for that is all we have. Live in hope, love, peace, and strength. Let go of the bad, embrace the good, and help others with our strength.
I’m dancing in a benefit show tonight that we have prepared for during the past few months benefiting St. Monica’s Music and Arts departments for the Elementary and High Schools. I dance with a humbled heart (a funny face) and I am thankful and grateful and I am at peace. Remember to send a pray for Tavio and the whole family today.
Peace,
David Woodbury