GatorBites→ The Zen of Zydeco

by Anthony Lewis; reprinted from www.lostintherhythm.com

I recently watched a rerun of "Star Trek Voyager"— one of my favorite television shows. In this particular episode the crewmembers were having a baby shower for their pregnant crewmate. During the shower someone made a toast in which she said, "May your baby achieve all its goals in life except one; that way it will always strive to be its best." Applause, thanks, and approval greeted this toast. I, on the other hand, was flabbergasted! I thought to myself, "God— she just condemned that child to a life of searching, never being satisfied, always thirsting and never resting." I was even more blown away by the immediate and enthusiastic acceptance of this condemnation by the crew and even the parents.

Why is it the consensus belief that we must continuously reach out for something in order to be our best? Where's the peace in that? And isn't peace what we're really trying to achieve? It's pretty ironic that trying to achieve peace keeps us in unrest.

Let's look at the principle of music for a moment. Are musical notes striving to be the best notes they can be or are they already perfect? Is the b note upset because it's not enough b note? Has it set out on a plan to be the best b note it can be? Does it go through phases when it is great at being a b note and others when it is not so great? Is there a time when it does not function perfectly within the principle of music? Nope. The b note is perfect as it is and is therefore at perfect peace.

What in the world does all this have to do with dancing? Well, I suggest we ask ourselves this question: "Am I a dancer or am I thirsting to be a dancer?" These are two totally different perspectives, aren't they? I bring this up because I so often hear people say things like, "If I could only dance like so and so," or, "I feel so intimidated when I dance with…," or, "I'll just never get this Zydeco stuff." Stop for a minute and ask yourself another question: "Why do I dance?" I'm sure you could come up with lots of reasons but forget all of them. Let's get down to the roots. Seriously, take a minute before you continue reading and think about this. "Why do I dance?"

I'll bet you it's because you feel good when you are dancing. Oh you may say it's due to things like love of the music, the sharing with others, and the exhilaration of getting lost in the rhythm. Isn't it true that you really couldn't have those good feelings if they weren't already within you? What's happening here? Maybe you have found the dancer you are; you are dancing with yourself and it's exhilarating! So why not take this perspective? Decide to dance because you are a dancer.

You will still go to all the dances and festivals. You will still attend workshops and classes. You'll continue to marvel at other dancers. You will still dance beyond exhaustion. You'll learn all the newest moves and create many of your own. You will still have the time of your life. The only difference is that now you will be doing it because of what you are and not because of what you are trying to become. You are dancing because you are happy and not trying to be happy. Instead of reaching out for a fill up you will dive deep into your never ending fullness. Everything stays the same yet everything changes. Think of it as standing at the summit of a mountain. You're the same person you were at the bottom, but the view is ooooh so different. Like the b note, you will be complete and, although always active, you will be at peace. Try it. I guarantee your enjoyment of dancing; and your "dancing skills" will reach heights you never would have imaged!

GET LOST IN THE RHYTHM!!!