Changing Lives through Dancing by David Woodbury
Arthur Murray Santa Monica
Sometimes I just don’t think I can do it. It’s just too much, too hard, and beyond me. The tasks ahead are overwhelming, and I do not have the strength and the energy to go forward.
I’ve probably been up every hour the night before a rough day, unable to sleep. I have lost the whole night of rest, sleep, and rejuvenation. The alarm is ready to go off and I turn it off a minute before it rings. My body, soul and spirit fuss at me saying “Get up and get on with it”. I don’t hear all those magical phrases that I have studied all my life “You’ve got what it takes” “You can do it” “Success will come today”.
All I hear is, I just can’t get up. I don’t feel good. I’m tired. My body hurts. I just can’t do this today. Sounds so negative, but it really happens to me. I hope all this truth is not getting you riled up or disappointed in me. It happens from time-to-time.
Then, I finally get up, cover my eyes and pray the Shema in Hebrew. Then I go right into my prayers and then into my first readings for the day. Then, I pray the Sacred Heart of Jesus Novena (I pray it every day now. It’s the strongest prayer I know. I have a friend who is quite ill. She is on top of my prayer request in that Novena).
As I prepare a cup of coffee and V-8 with Cholula, I continue my readings and then I take a moment of absolute silence. It might be 10 minutes on a busy morning, or 20 minutes on a generous morning. Then, I get moving and start preparing for my day. I soon forget all my doubts and fears, and I just put one foot in front of the other and next thing I know, I’m dressed, in a coat and tie and all ready for my day and I rushing out the door to conquer the tasks ahead.
There are so many days I don’t think I can do it, then I take the time to awaken my heart, soul and spirit and I open the eyes of my heart. On the days when I don’t have an overwhelming impossible day ahead, I immediately pray the Shema, then I have three prayers that I quickly pray before the “dark” negative thoughts can take over. I must admit, it works every time and I have so much practice, I am able to overcome the truly bad days. I repeat my prayers over and over until my mind is clear.
Does all this reality seem unreal? It is real to me. What seems truly real to me is that I have found the way to fill my mind with thoughts of light, life, and hope and faith. With daily practice, I know that I am armed against the days when I just can’t seem to go on.
Why write about this? Well, I often do do the things I think I cannot do. I do move forward when I just can’t see a light ahead. I move forward “in a darkness” careful to not stub my toe on a bad thought or a doubt. Then, when I finally reach a light, I always elect to turn it on faintly as to awaken my spirit easily and slowly. This daily practice has gotten me through the days where I have dread. Those are the days when I cannot physically get up and emotionally and spiritually cannot get going.
There have been many times when I have found myself in the middle of an “impossible task” and laughing and enjoying the moment. I have forgotten the start of that day; I am in the moment of success and I’m doing that thing I doubted. I think, wow, I made it! I repeat this often: Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. I have faith and I use it!
Life after a while does not get easier, but it gets richer and more rewarding. The foundation of experience, wisdom and expertise is very valuable. Knowing one’s self becomes a great asset in life. I would not trade in once second of any tough experience in my life. Each lesson I have learned and experienced over the years has made me the person I am today. I relish life’s lessons and the wisdom that I have.
By the way, what do I do on a good day? First, I know it is a good day the moment I awaken. I say, “This is a good day”. I tell Joel I am having a good day, and in that moment I am thankful and grateful and full of praise and thanksgiving. My good days are few and far in between, but they are glorious and magical and uplifting. Please remember, you can always make a dark day into a wonderful day (it may take a while It make even take a few days!) Just keep going. Also, remember a really good day is coming your way. When it comes, drink it in, talk about it, and share the joy with others. There is truly light at the end of every tunnel.
Thanks for reading,
David Woodbury