“There is an old saying that dreams come true one choice at a time.”

Changing Lives through Dancing by David Woodbury                                       

Arthur Murray Santa Monica

Have your dreams come true? What are your dreams? How do they feel? Do you live your dreams?

At 68 years old, I have had many seasons in my life. Seasons of extreme success. Magical times where everything was perfect and above and beyond my dreams.

As I look back, the best times were not just by chance. Great things did not just fall into my lap. I always ran after opportunities. I’ve sprinted through open doors all my life. I worked hard. I listened to my mentors and took their advice. Many times, I have put all that I had on the line to make my dreams come true.

The dream makers in my life must have known that I had the will to be successful. They gave me instructions for what to do and when. And I listened to them.

It has not been all rosy and easy. Going from an idyllic life beyond my wildest expectations, to experiencing the loss of both parents and then my life-partner, all quickly. To selling my wonderful business and stopping all my activities to become a caregiver.

I went from the top of the mountain to the darkest valley. I saw my dreams dissolve and disappear.

What does a dreamer do when all seems lost? Well, you begin to make new choices. You start to see new opportunities. You realize that you did not lose your vision and ability to dream. You pick up and find a new path to follow.

My toughest time was having our wonderful school closed for 175 days during the pandemic. We had no choice. But we found new ways to teach dancing and we stayed in the game.

Now, I hear much laughter in the ballroom, I see all our wonderful staff and students. I see our studio packed again for shows and parties and events. A new revitalized dream has emerged.

It’s a whole new world. The game is new and exciting, and the curve of learning is new. The name of the game is giving good service and encouraging others as we all grow together.

I believe that dreams are made one step on the dancefloor at a time. I’m not afraid anymore. I’ve been through it all and I’m ready to meet the challenge of every day. No more fears, I know the sun will rise the next morning no matter what happens.

My advice to my readers, don’t let the past few years keep you from being a dreamer and from taking chances. Keep your visions in life.

I had a wonderful friend who once said to me “It will get better”, and it will.

Ok, find your dream, write it down, tell it to someone, take action and get started. You’ll have easy times and rough times, but it will all be worth it whether this is your first dream, or a new wonderful adventure.

“You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one”

            John Lennon’s 1971 song “Imagine”

Thanks for dreaming and reading,

David Woodbury