I Hope You Dance
Most people who hear me sing ask me not to! Therefore, I am self-conscious about singing. I love to dance, but don't feel that confident about my ability there, either. One day while I was at a (somewhat stuffy) business breakfast, the Philly Phanatic suddenly walked into the room, grabbed me by the arms and started to dance with me. My usual fears raced through my head. Oh my god, I can't dance! Oh, I hope I don't look stupid! Oh, I hope I don't trip! Then, something wonderful happened. I stopped and said to myself, "This is the Philly Phanatic! How often in my life will I ever get to dance with the Phanatic???" I pushed aside my fears, gave into the moment and had the best few minutes of dancing that I have ever had! We just can't let our self-doubts and inhibitions stop us from really experiencing life. When school pressures, family pressures, work pressures wear you down, take a minute--breathe deeply--and dance!
posted by Elizabeth @ 1:17 PM
15 Comments:
I think it was two christmas' ago, I woke up and before i was able to get out of my room there was a present already in my sights. It was a cd book of this song with the lyrics and some comments from the artist. It was a gift from my ever worrisome and paranoid mother(who i get it from by the way). After ripping through all the boxes and all was discovered, my mom sat my brother and me down and began the explanation of why this "gay" cd was given to us. She started on how all she hopes for us is that 'we dance' for the rest of our days. Don't let the little things get to you, it will always work out in the end as she has experienced in her many years she tells us. Oh god, we thought. here she goes again. "we know mom", we said numerous times.
A couple months go by and I start to get that feeling that things just aren't working out the way they should or the way i would have liked them to. And what enters my racing mind???? This damn song and that morning talking to my mother. It's funny how no matter how many times you tell yourself everything is gonna be ok and know, know, not to freak out about things, every once in a while, it just happens. You lose sight of certain things and your mind begins it's dreadful downward spiral. After taking a moment and calming myself down and thinking about it for a while, my mind is clear. Sometimes, know matter how many times you have felt certain about what your doing, you just lose sight of it. It takes little things like that song or your moms words to bring you back.
123
The first time I heard this song, my mom was talking about it. She told me she heard a song on the radio, she didn't know what it was called or who sang it, that really made her think. When we finally found out what the song was, I must admit, I didn't want to listen to it. I don't enjoy country music, so I was really hesitant. But after I actually sat down and listened to it, I really loved it. It's just a very calming song and inspires people to actually go out and do things. No one wants the end of their lives to be filled with the "what if"s. Live life to it's fullest and in the end, you won't have to wonder. Although my great-grandmother was completely "with it" until the last few weeks before she died, she lived to be 105. And all I ever find myself thinking about when I am remembering her is whether or not she was happy. And I know she was. At the last family gathering, a wedding for a cousin of mine, her only request the entire day was to dance with her son at the reception. 105 years old, and that was all she wanted to do. She died a few months later, but at least she got to do what she wanted. Dance. 212
When I was about 6 years old I told my mother I wanted to take dance lessons. A week later she enrolled me into a beginner ballet class and of course I was so nervous. Besides the fact that I knew no one in the class and felt alone, I didn't know how to dance at all. I was afraid that all of the girls in the class would out shine me and the teacher would kick me out of her class for learning the steps at a slow pace. On the first day of class my dance instructor said. "I know that you all are beginners and we're all here to learn together. If you feel that you need help just let me know and I will assist you. After she said that I felt so relieved. Since that day I've been dancing ever! I’m a strong believer in doing what you love in spike of negative voices in your ear. You should never let anyone ever tell you that you can’t do something. Their really saying to themselves, I can’t do it so I doubt you can do it either. Always strive to prove others wrong, if you believe you can achieve. since! *318*
I have been rushing around and have been doing all that i can to graduate on time this quarter but it seemed like everything has been beating me down and fighting me. This has just made me try harder and i think i've been doing some of my best things this quarter. Besides the fact that im getting absolutely no sleep any day out of any week for the last 3 months and i have no time to even sit down with work at least 34 hours a week along with 32 hours of culinary classes a week with your class thrown in the mix and trying to get done 2 internship papers 2 huge restaurant menu costing projects and plenty of side papers along with them, i have been doing alot of dancing with myself whenever i can just breaking down and bursting into song and dance randomly. I hope i give you some of that in your class if i'm not too tired or dead by then. 308
This song brings hope and inspiration to my heart and soul. When I am upset and feel as thought the whole world is on my shoulder, I listen to it to calm me down. The lyrics have so much meaning. It makes you know your place in this world and understand your capabilities. Once you have achieved this, the song makes you believe in yourself. It also tells you to live life to the utmost. My favorite line: “I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance, never settle for the path of least resistance, Living might mean taking chances, but they're worth taking.” That is the best advice you can tell anyone. -409
A good friend of mine sang this song during my high school graduation. She has always been an inspiration to me and so hearing her perform this added to my admiration. A few years later, I was given the 'I Hope You Dance' book by Mark D.Sanders & Tia Sillers (based on the lyrics by Lee Ann Womack)... this is my favorite line (which reminds me of my friend):
'A promise is all about faith.
A promise is only as strong as your own faith in your own self,
in your own god.
So when you swear,
in light of your strengths and in spite of your weaknesses,
to struggle and follow through,
you are doing a beautiful thing'.
-518
I enjoyed the message at the end about live life without doubts. I really enjoy my life and I try my best to do so everyday! I try my best not to put myself down when I make mistakes or when others tell me that I did. I keep my head up each day even when my own family and friend put me down or pick out my mistakes. I try not to tell myself that I CAN'T do something because in the end I CAN. I just keep telling myself that I can do it as long as I have positivity and God by my side. I can't stand negativity from others so I try not to be. I can dance and I TRY to sing! (smile) 507 JD
I can relate to your post because i am often self-conscious as well. Also maybe I'm not always confident in my abilities when I really should be. When it comes to dancing, though, I'm not that way. It doesn't matter to me whether I'm "good" or not. I just enjoy it and get into it. I hate when people are judgmental about other peoples dancing and singing abilities because like you said, it causes people to feel self-concious about doing it in front of others. Those things should be a release and it's so unfair to deprive yourself of that enjoyment because you're worried someone you don't even know will think you look or sound stupid. I agree that while everyone has self-doubt in some form, it is definitely something you should strive to change because life is a lot easier when you aren't second-guessing yourself all the time.
-501
Awesome! I am glad you tossed caution aside and danced with the phanatic. I have faced many fears and I will continue too. Often I just make it through the experience and then it gets easier if I continue but sometimes like your experience it turns out to be great. Thank you for the advice "I hope you dance" I will so take you up on it. 118
Dancing is a great outlet. Whether you have Michael Jackson dance moves or two left feet you should be able to dance and enjoy yourself. Sometimes it is even fun to come up with silly dance moves just to make yourself or others laugh. If your living in the moment and having fun than nothing else matters. The people that are watching and judging negatively do not matter any way. We are only human and far too often do we worry about what others think of us. What we need to remember is that the people that really matter are not judging and loving us for who we are.
112
I totally agree with you. Life's is full of wonderful opportunities and we should not be held back by our inherent fears and doubt. Who knows, someone may enjoy watching you dance. Even though I can't sing, I continue to do it. Singing is a expression of our happiness. Let's win.
I totally agree with you. Life's is full of wonderful opportunities and we should not be held back by our inherent fears and doubt. Who knows, someone may enjoy watching you dance. Even though I can't sing, I continue to do it. Singing is a expression of our happiness. Let's win.
#115
I hope you dance all the time now. you should always let go of your fears. I don't even know what fear is anymore. i used to fear being alone but i got over that i used to fear breaking bones but i broke seven now. i used to fear talking to girls and looking dumb but i figure they think the same thing. but know i will do just about anything, with out alcohol, and even more with.
-102
I totally agree with your final statement. I wasn't the best dancer in the world either, but after i let go of being ashamed I just went out on the dance floor and started dancing. The more i did it the better i got and now I can dance rather decently at least enough that others will dance with me.
007
I have always been self concouis about dancing i always fine myself looking around to see who is looking at me because i was always told i didn't have any rhythm but i can remember on my wedding day i just let go of any fears i had an i dance the night away.006
Post a Comment
<< Home