The Dance of Life
Are you living with intention? Are you doing the things you’ve thought about, dreamed about, planned out? If you haven’t quite made it there or have started then stopped, don’t be discouraged. Let’s compare life to dancing. There is rhythm, flow, stopping, starting, pausing, solo moments, shared moments or many times changing partners—our partners could be personal, emotional, work, community, church, life. There are times of observation, learning, perfecting, spontaneity and sheer “I don’t have a clue what I’m doing” moments.
Once you embrace the flow of life, it becomes easier to get in sync with changes. There is one thing that life is certain to include an abundance of—willing or unwilling—and that is change. There is a program that I trained in called “InterPlay” where I learned several principles to practice in the dance of life. I hope you can take something away from them and apply them to your own life rhythm and song.
Let the Dance of life move you to the rhythm of your heart – Jennifer Durand
Easy Focus
It’s all about the “Wheee.” Instead of only focusing on one thing, take it all in peripherally. See what you notice without trying really hard. This is a gentle approach to seeing what’s going on and what is available to us. Don’t take it all so seriously. None of it.
Body Data/Knowledge/Wisdom
All our lives we accumulate data and knowledge from what we notice, learn and experience. Wisdom is rooted in this data. We are able to make choices based on what we know. If we listen intently to our inner wisdom we can make decisions that will bring us fuller, richer, more satisfying lives. The dance becomes more fluid and grace filled.
Internal Authority
Believe what you notice. This is different from believing what you see (or what you think you see). Once you’ve observed, then gathered your data and knowledge and have gained your wisdom—believe it. Your body will tell you if you’re making a good decision or not, so listen. The struggle only comes when we don’t listen to what your internal authority is telling us.
Physicality of Grace
This is the ability to identify what feels good or bad in your body/spirit. It shows us that we can have more of what is good when we learn to recognize what about the experience is making us feel good. When you feel lifted up ask yourself, could you have more of it? We have been taught to endure suffering. This form of stress can be a good short term motivator at times, but it is not a good long-term experience. Stress brings us down, grace builds us up and feeds the body which increases our endurance. Stress and grace are communicated to others through our bodies. Do you want to be around someone who is experiencing stress or someone who is experiencing grace? Also, are you a stress or grace transmitter?
Exformation
Get rid of the icky stuff. With all the forms of information coming in constantly we need a way to “exform” or “let go” of some of it in order to make room for more good. Just like the dance, we learn the steps and the techniques, but without practice and movement we can’t allow for grace to take place. We don’t improve without the experience of exforming that knowledge by actually dancing. Exformation can take shape in many simple ways. It doesn’t have to be grand. Some simpler forms may be to practice shaking, breathing, sighing, singing, walking, exercising.
Body Wisdom Practices
To change your life you must change what you practice. You can’t get better at the dance if you keep doing the same moves. You can’t reveal all the various styles, shapes, movements, colors, rhythms if you keep doing what you’ve been doing. So, use your gathered wisdom and seek change. Remember, it’s okay to take a step or two back and pause as long as you continue moving forward after the break.
Incrementality
Use a step-by-step process. Start with the easiest. Not everyone likes to work incrementally, but it can be a helpful tool worth practicing. Often we want what we want immediately. It is important not to get caught up in this lest it create unnecessary tension, but rather identify what the first few steps of desired change are and begin the process more thoughtfully. It is okay to get ahead of yourself, as long as you step back and break things down a little further, in order to proceed forward with more insight and thoroughness. It will save time and aggravation in the long run. Use your inner wisdom and that of others who know where you’re trying to go, to help with the process.
Affirmation
Look for the good. Notice and recognize what is good in everything you do, in everyone you meet. Give feedback when it is requested, not otherwise. Contain annoyance of small things. If an example is needed, make it about yourself or with the permission of another. Make an example of others only in a positive sense. Sometimes that can still “out” them so be sensitive.
There is happiness to be had. It hovers in the air—waiting for you to embrace it. Let it come in and attach little wings to your heart—so you can all hang out with hope in the light places. These are challenging times—turn off the news—be your own best story! – Leah Mann