If You Stumble -- Make It Part of the Dance

I was quite the awkward child and teenager. Oh, how much I wanted to dance, or be on the drill team or be a good athlete -- in any sport. But I never pursued or worked at any of those desires. My husband and I took a few ballroom dance lessons to be prepared for the ballroom dancing on the 15 cruises we took. And those steps came in handy when we attended wedding receptions where nice, easy slow dances played. Indeed, those were sweet and romantic opportunities to look into each other’s eyes, hug and tightly hold onto each other. I’ve always enjoyed watching others perform and excel at their dancing and athletic abilities.

Now that I’m in this 55+ active adult community, I’ve been doing my usual running and walking around the neighborhood or using the treadmill at the fitness center. But I saw all these dance exercise classes and decided to add another fun and active way to stay fit to my daily fitness routines. I thought I’d add to my repertoire of “dance moves” – LOL – so I took some dance exercise classes that included the Charleston, Lindy, Rumba, Samba dances and some line dancing. I’d like to think that now I’m this limber, coordinated, and flexible dancer. I definitely have a ways to go! In fact, I find myself lagging way behind the group. There are folks in these classes that have lived in this community since its beginning 10 years ago, and have got the “moves” down. I’m impressed with them. Everyone tells me “Give yourself at least a couple of months to catch on. Don’t expect to have it all down in two or three classes.”

I have a sweet young 14-year old friend who is relentless in her pursuit to be a professional ballet dancer. She knows that dancers don’t achieve seamless performances without careful and consistent practice -- over and over again. She knows it will take her years before she develops the expertise to perform professionally. Dancers must have the characteristic of persistence or perseverance to keep rehearsing their moves and routines until they are perfect -- with the ability to learn quickly and retain information. A "can do" attitude is the only one that ensures dancers succeeding at their craft. They can't give up until they achieve the goals of their choreographer or producer, and then must persist in learning the next step or routine for their next audition.

It’s crazy in this post of me to compare myself to accomplished dancers, but in the few weeks I’ve been with this group, I’m starting to keep up a little better. I didn’t give up after one or two times, like I was told others did. Initially, I found myself frustrated when I watched all those other folks moving and grooving and could have said “This is too difficult. I just don’t have the ability or the coordination to do this.” But I didn’t say that. I know about "self talk" enough to not sabotage my abilities. Dreaming and wishing and hoping is not the stuff that makes things happen. It's the ACTION we put into our dreaming and believing. James 2:17 says: "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

Dancing or a sports activity or computers and many other various technologies require persistence and a willingness to learn. A simple set of directions isn’t what makes someone successful. It’s the never quitting and the never giving up and the willingness to be our own cheerleader.

I do a lot of “self talk" – to help me daily grow wiser, more knowledgeable and stronger in many ways. I don’t beat myself up when I make a mistake or falter at something. I “self talk” myself into believing I’ll do better, get better and succeed at whatever I’m attempting.

Here's my self talk for today: "I can do this (whatever “this” is)! I am a winner (at whatever I’m attempting)! I will not quit! There is no limit to what I can accomplish! I am prosperous and successful! I am bee-u-ti-ful! I make a positive difference in many people's lives. I am a conqueror. I am strong and courageous. I am faith-filled and my ACTIONS speak louder than my words, so TODAY, I will ACT like I'm already there!"