Psychologists have shown that we’re more likely to retain negative memories for much longer than we are to retain happy ones. Just ask anyone who’s ever held a grudge.
While there may be times in your life where positivity surrounds you, such as a new baby, meeting the perfect guy, or starting a fantastic project, you know that it’s so hard to maintain that happiness. It can be just one driver who cuts you off or the cashier having a bad day forgetting to give you your change. Something can make your perfect day into a horrible one.
And that’s when you have to dance.
There’s something about dancing that makes you happy. Ever notice that little kids love to dance, and it’s usually them just bopping along? Or as awkward as it may be, middle schoolers always want to be asked to dance? It can be the most important part of a wedding or the way graduates all say good-bye to each other.
It’s led to so many YouTube videos, we have become a dancing culture again.
You don’t need training or choreography. Even Johnny Depp (imitating Charlie Chaplin) had dancing rolls. You can’t help but smile. Football players have their End Zone dance, and I have my Brazen one. Something about moving, be it a foot tap or jazz hand, can make the world bright again.
Some of us probably grew up thinking that life was a musical. We’d walk around waiting for people to burst into song and giant ensemble dance numbers. You didn’t have to only see the classics like Show Boat or Singin’ in the Rain to feel that way, even Enchanted has the big “That’s How You Know” number.
There may not be a fully-costumed cast in Central Park, but you could still have a musical life.
To me, the happiest moments for me have been when I’m dancing. To you, it could be running or painting, writing or singing. You can’t forget these moments that make you happy, and sometimes it’s the simplest action that can get you back there.
We know how arts education is struggling to maintain a footing when all boards can think about are Standards of Learning. You may have even gone to a school that had cancelled art class and cheerleading was the closest to dance you could ever get. You may have children in the same situation.
To get back to the happiness, we need to find ways to dance through life. Do it for yourself, but also make sure you’re sharing it with the community. If you babysit, get those kids dancing. If you play the guitar, share that with your neighbors (maybe even teach lessons). Volunteer to paint a mural where a wall needs some love, or sing with a children’s choir.
Share your positivity. One little action is all you need.
Great post! — And you should all check out Lee Ann Womack’s song, I hope you dance… here is a link to it that you can copy onto your browser:
http://www.lala.com/#song/432627069328617627
…And here are the lyrics…
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,
May you never take one single breath for granted,
GOD forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance….I hope you dance.
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin’ might mean takin’ chances, but they’re worth takin’,
Lovin’ might be a mistake but it’s worth makin’,
Don’t let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to sellin’ out reconsider,
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance….I hope you dance.
I hope you dance….I hope you dance.
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along,
Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone.)
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
Dance….I hope you dance.
I hope you dance….I hope you dance.
I hope you dance….I hope you dance..
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along
Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone)
.-= marc sokol´s last blog ..Power, politics and the expectation that you love your company brand: What customer reps will never tell you =-.
Marc, I LOVE that song. My parents actually got me a graduation gift a while ago that was a journal with those words on the cover. They put in a picture of me when I was probably 4 dancing in a hula outfit. That was in my head as I was writing this, thinking of all the times you just want to feel happy and dance with abandon. It’s so wonderful, thanks for linking to it!
This is one reason why I am involved in theatre. And why I hope to get into arts advocacy in my writing work.
.-= Ty Unglebower´s last blog ..Facebook and the Lack of Public Privacy =-.
Ty, that’s awesome. Part of this popped up from the song in Marc’s comment, but also from listening to Wicked’s “Dancing Through Life.” There are those moments, thanks recordings, we can have the full orchestra sweep us up in a dance! I was spinning in the elevator this morning myself.
Would love to see your arts advocacy writing. I know that people can use the help. At my next location, I may see if I can’t use some of my online talent for that.
Hehe I LOVE TO DANCE. more like flail, though. Just yesterday I was sitting at my desk feeling a little stressed out, a great song came on, I turned it up, and started dancing around my room with my cat for a good 15 minutes. I don’t even regret the cat scratches I have on my shoulder now 🙂
.-= Carlee Mallard´s last blog ..Comment on First Speaking Engagements. Scary, Right? by eemusings =-.
Your use of “flail” is funny because after years of classes, my dancing now is totally dorky flailing. I’m not even sure how it evolved (devolved?) to that. Also, there are dances that my roommates in college and I did. If those songs come on the radio, I totally break out those moves!