Dancing TimesFebruary 2008

Polly Meyer

Start Dancing

Ah, the New Year is here, our annual time for reflection and renewal. And once

again we yearn anew for a life of passion and purpose. But after the holidays are over,

we're often so worn out that we have no real urge to do anything but rest. What makes it

harder is that we often mistake resolutions as a test of our will, but it's not. Resolutions

are about authentic wants and blessed new beginnings - in our work, our relationships,

our play, and even in our dancing. When we’ve lost the motivation to take a lesson or

feel frustrated on the ballroom floor, sometimes all we need is an emotional or spiritual

shot in the arm.

What do you want more or less of in your dancing so that you love it? It could be

as simple as coming to the dance studio more often, setting goals with your dance

instructor, planning to compete or give a performance, buying a pair of really good dance

shoes, rekindling a romance by bringing along your partner on the next lesson, calling a

solitary hour a day your own by practicing your dancing, or just taking more time

listening to music that inspires you.

Can many of us honestly say that our work life – private and public – is in balance

with our personal life? Ballroom dancing helps bring about the balance we so strive for.

In dancing we give outward expression to the spirit inside of us. Plato believed the soul

was a circle. If it is, then our souls are made visible as we dance around the ballroom

floor. Uplifted as we rotate our bodies in the Swing, elated as we execute a saucy

underarm turn in the Rumba, and inspired as we Waltz down the line of dance.

Happily, dancing is one of the rewards of being human. It's chosen when we're

ready for a different approach to life, when a new passion is wanted - a passion that

demands patience. It develops in us an awareness of a world outside ourselves. And each

time we set our foot on the ballroom floor we get another chance to get it as right as we

can make it. What more could you desire?

The amazing thing about resolutions is that they're deeply personal and don't

require fanfare. Just being open to positive change is all that's required. So take a deep

breath, seek your center, and start dancing. That's not too hard.