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Choreographing Life

I started a "Complete the sentence" exercise and found myself getting carried away. I don't like to do those little exercises for the public because I want to be witty. Which, if I do say so myself, some of the answers I came up with tickled me to tears.

Sorry you missed it.

What really happened is my fingers took over on #27.

27. I’ve come to realize that my friends. . . dance; physically, metaphorically, lyrically, metaphysically. Dancing is a completely separate topic. Dancing is an expression of feeling. It is a vehicle for seeking intimacy. Not all dancing is physical. Dancing is a way to connect to one another and ourselves.

That was my answer. I kept reading over it and thinking how it was incomplete and some might just figure I'm doing some crazy talk.

Oh no, my friends, you are dancing every single day of your lives. On its most basic level, you danced this morning while preparing breakfast at the same time as your husband. Think about the steps you take to not have impact.

On a deeper level, I move to the rhythm of my relationships. What is my stance when I talk to my 4 year old who is asking me to play "secret agent"? Am I leaning on my knees or am I continuing my solo?

When I talk to my 12 year old, are my hands clenched or is my posture open?

Can my people hear my steps? Can they predict my next turn? Can I predict theirs? What props are hindering or promoting the expression? Are we synchronized? Am I aware of my partner's movement?

Yes. My friends and family dance with me. They just don't realize it.

Comments

  1. Mamma ChristineDecember 19, 2009 at 4:47 AM

    Wow I'm never the first one to comment! One of my favorite lines is from a book called "Riding the Bus With My Sister" The author's sister has some sort of mental challenge and spends all day every day riding the buses around the city. The author joins her for a year and writes a story about the experience. She describes the scene with the sister and her boyfriend making dinner as a dance. I loved it. And I love how you've expanded on it here.

    What did you think of the So You Think You Can Dance results this year, by the way? Did you watch?

    ReplyDelete
  2. June Freaking CleaverDecember 19, 2009 at 6:45 AM

    I also dance verbally. Sometimes, it's playful, like the old stuff on TV when two performers would try to out-step each other in tap.

    Other times, it's more evasive, avoiding the emotional pitfalls, keeping from hurting feelings and revealing too much.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kristina P.December 19, 2009 at 7:43 AM

    I have no rhythym.

    ReplyDelete
  4. FoursonsDecember 19, 2009 at 10:28 AM

    Kristina's comment cracked me up!

    Great metaphor- you're in a much deeper thought process than I am right now.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lisa Page RosenbergDecember 19, 2009 at 8:32 PM

    In the immortal words of Lil' C, "You are buck."

    ReplyDelete
  6. ChiefDecember 20, 2009 at 12:40 PM

    Oh how I love this post and then to end it with my absolutely favorite SYTYCD clip of all time!

    ReplyDelete
  7. M-CatDecember 20, 2009 at 7:57 PM

    I was just talking about this very kind of thing with a friend tonight! Great post

    ReplyDelete
  8. SandeDecember 21, 2009 at 2:12 AM

    Isn't that the truth. Body language speaks for 70% of communication. Means our body says far more than our words or tone; even if we recon we are only dancing on the inside

    ReplyDelete
  9. MichelleDecember 21, 2009 at 6:01 PM

    Oh such a beautiful sentiment and very true... and more often overlooked. I love this philosophy (at least I know what to think about when I wake up in the middle of the night tonight!).

    And the normal thing? yeah... our ped just suggested we start looking at PANDAS for Mister Man. Ha. At this point in life with him, I just want happy. Forget normal, happy is all I want for him.

    ReplyDelete
  10. HeidiDecember 22, 2009 at 12:12 PM

    As you know, dance defines me. I love that you put it into such a large context.

    ReplyDelete

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