No 27 Changing Lives through Dancing
By David Earl Woodbury
Friday, July 1, 2016
“Pain nourishes courage. You can’t be brave if you’ve only had wonderful things happen to you.” – Mary Tyler Moore (1937-) American Actress
“Tears are often the telescope by which men see far into heaven.”- Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887) American Presbyterian Minister
Have you ever felt heart ache? A real pain in your heart. A feeling that your chest was being crushed and that your heart would stop? I have. And I remember it. During my worst pain, I had to have the most courage, not for me, but for others. During times that I thought that my world had stopped, but others around me needed so much help that I was busy helping them. The service to others truly saved me during that time.
I remember my first Christmas when I was in the ‘Dark Night of the Soul’. I had asked an usher one mass if he needed any help and he said “Hand out these bulletins” and 14 years later, I’m a Team Leader. That Christmas I served 11 masses in two days. My heart was broken, and I was lost, but I saw something that changed my life. I must have handed out several thousand bulletins and song sheets for those services. I saw people who were sad. I saw sad eyes and troubled faces and I was smiling and wishing everyone a Happy Holiday. I realized that it was not just about me and that I could help others overcome their sadness through giving and encouraging them.
That experience changed me forever because I then knew the only way I would ever be happy again would be to serve others and volunteer. And yes, that has remained true to today! Perhaps all my tears did let me see far into heaven.
“There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope.”- Bernard Williams
When you live through pain, something always happens to you. It happens to everyone all over the world. The sun rises again. The new day dawns. There is always a fresh beginning and if we are alive, we are part of a new day, a new sunrise, a new hope.
You may not be able to cope with a new day, but with these famous words, “It will get better”. And it does!
“Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.” – William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925) American Politician, Religious Advocate
Destiny is mine and I am in charge of my future. We are predestined to just one thing in life, and that thing is greatness. Each of us has miraculous gifts that are unique just to us and needed by others. We are special, we are empowered by our individuality. Be brave and let your greatness shine through!
Keep On Dancing!
David Woodbury
DavidEarlWoodbury@gmail.com (email me if you like my blogs!)