Swing Dancing
Wouldn't it be nice if life were a little, or even a lot, simpler? Wouldn't it be nice if there were no taxes, no upcoming elections, no intersecting highways and confusing airports? Wouldn't it be nice if there were no pressing phone calls, no urgent meetings, no excuse-me-while-I-check-facebook-on-my-iphone interruptions? It seems that, while trying to make life simpler, we've only succeeded in making it more and more complicated.
I think sometimes we tend to get fulfillment purely out of activity. We tend to think that if we do a lot of things, if we do them fast enough, that we will accomplish more and obtain more satisfaction. We fill our time up to the brim with activities and duties, thinking to make the most of life, and end up missing out on life.
It's like swing dancing. When you watch two people swing to a really fast song, they can look pretty talented at first. But sometimes, if you look closely, you realize that they are just repeating the basic step over and over again... really fast. They are so preoccupied with keeping up with the beat that they can't try out any new steps. You watch them get dizzy and dizzier, and see them start to spin out of control in a whirlwind of motion. Eventually, the song stops and the next one starts up- it's a steady beat, not too slow, not too fast- nice and simple. You see the same couple that was flying across the floor a second ago get lost and confused, unable to enjoy the simplicity of the slower song. But over in a corner another couple stands up to dance. They listen to the beat and start dancing, experimenting with new moves, taking time to enjoy the rhythm of the song and the steps that go along with it. It often seems that, the simpler the song, the more intricate the steps become and the more fun the dancers can have with it.
I think sometimes we tend to get fulfillment purely out of activity. We tend to think that if we do a lot of things, if we do them fast enough, that we will accomplish more and obtain more satisfaction. We fill our time up to the brim with activities and duties, thinking to make the most of life, and end up missing out on life.
It's like swing dancing. When you watch two people swing to a really fast song, they can look pretty talented at first. But sometimes, if you look closely, you realize that they are just repeating the basic step over and over again... really fast. They are so preoccupied with keeping up with the beat that they can't try out any new steps. You watch them get dizzy and dizzier, and see them start to spin out of control in a whirlwind of motion. Eventually, the song stops and the next one starts up- it's a steady beat, not too slow, not too fast- nice and simple. You see the same couple that was flying across the floor a second ago get lost and confused, unable to enjoy the simplicity of the slower song. But over in a corner another couple stands up to dance. They listen to the beat and start dancing, experimenting with new moves, taking time to enjoy the rhythm of the song and the steps that go along with it. It often seems that, the simpler the song, the more intricate the steps become and the more fun the dancers can have with it.
Don't look down on something because it seems simple. Don't just rush from place to place, but enjoy the time in between. Every once in a while, take your earbuds out and listen to the music of silence. Turn the TV off and watch the gold sunbeams dancing with with the blue sky, or evening falling over a tired world. Shut down your computer and go have coffee with a friend. Make something ordinary into something extraordinary, look for that special something that will bring a smile to your eyes and laughter to your heart. Don't be afraid to pause the action, take a breath, and enjoy the moment...
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteI've just taken a few minutes to read some of your posts. The depth and beauty of your thoughts doesn't surprise me; it's a wonderful addition to what I already admire in you--your joy in living life, your sweet and always present smile, and your feminine enjoyment of pretty things and home-y pursuits.
Thank you for sharing!