I have an irresistible urge to dance, said me never.  What about you?  Maybe dancing is something you love that sort of comes naturally to you or perhaps, like me, you’re convinced that when it comes to rhythm, well, you’d love to have some, but you’re pretty certain that when you were created there wasn’t an ounce of it placed within you.  

This past weekend a dear friend and colleague invited Ben and I to go out for the evening.  She wanted us to join her at a place where our mutual friend was deejaying.  She said we’d love it because everyone dances.  While part of me thought it sounded like so much fun, the more realistic side of me knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that this was way out of our comfort zone.  The only time we’ve busted a move in the recent past is with our two-year-old son in our living room or at a wedding reception where we’ve locked arms for the occasional slow dance. 

Here’s what I learned.  Dancing is good for the soul.  It’s a stress reliever.  It’s fun and it feels good.  Dancing is a mood booster and reminds me how much I love and appreciate music.  It brings people together.  And it induces smiles and laughter.  Dancing helps us break out of our shell.  And you know what else I realized?  Nobody cares if you can’t dance well.  So just get up and dance and receive all of the benefits that come from doing so.  I’ll bet money on it that you walk away from the dance with a shift in your perspective that can only come from partaking in the dance.  

I think there’s a life lesson hidden within our willingness to dance if it’s something we’ve struggled with in the past.  I don’t pretend to fully understand it all at this point, but I believe that there is a reward in doing things in life that make us feel uncomfortable.  In taking action and seeing things from a different perspective.  Had I never stepped onto the dance floor Friday night my view would have looked quite different.  When we step out into the dance floor there are people waiting to meet us there.  

What will you do the next time you’re presented with the invitation to dance?  Will you make excuses about not being good enough, having no rythym, etc. or will you embrace the offer and join in the fun?  I hope you decide to just dance.