144: If You Hear the Music, Why Not Dance?

Dancing isn't something that comes naturally to most people. But once you hear the music, talented or not, something in you wants to move.

That's why I think the dance is a perfect analogy for the life you live whatever decade you're in. Sure, the more you age, the less fluid you are on the dance floor of life, heck hearing the music (literally) might be the greater concern.

But eventually the music gets to you, you feel it in your bones, and you either decide to bust-a-move or sit it out. And I sincerely hope you dance, whether it's Dancing with the Stars worthy or it resembles something like hacking up a hairball under the disco ball.

The dance isn't really about the skill. It's more about hearing the music and moving to the rhythm as best you can. And no one's holding up a number to judge you (aka, Dancing with the Stars).

The failure to dance when the music plays likely has more to do with your fears than it does your willingness to get a move on. And perhaps as philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche said,

"Those who were seen dancing were considered crazy by those who could not hear the music."

You can dance with most challenges in life, aging or otherwise, but remember that how you look while dancing isn't anyone's business—so let the music move you.

Dance whether you feel ready or not

You spend your life in preparation. Preparing for a career, relationships, parenting, grand-parenting, better health, longevity, retirement, and eventually...your death. Those and more get a substantial chunk of your discipline and careful planning through the years.

On occasion, something catches you completely off-guard—something you weren't prepared for. A diagnosis, a health setback, a disappointment, or anything that you didn't see coming.

Will you ignore the music that's playing or do as Alan Watts encourages,

"The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance."

Resistance to changes—good or bad, fulfilling or catastrophic—doesn't protect you. Covering your ears to the music that's playing only reduces the sound you hear.

"Dance first. Think later. It's the natural order," according to Samuel Beckett.

Follow the dance where it leads and get better in the process

This idea turns up the music's volume a bit more regarding our overthought preparation at the expense of not dancing.

"...by the time (you're) ready to live, it's too late. Thoughts and planning have their place. But overthinking is not the same as wisdom. You are spending your life in your head. You're not refining your plan, you're avoiding the floor." - Thomas Oppong

The dance has a rhythm and a flow. And the music may not always be pleasant to your ears or what you consider to be your preferred melody.

Grief. Failure. Fatigue. Confusion. Disappointment. Discouragement. Depression. Each interrupts the dance flow.

But resilience is your capacity to keep dancing regardless. Make your peace with the dance floor when you fall or fail. The key to following the dance is how quickly you get up and try again.

Dance in the present moment like it's your last dance

This. Is. Your. Moment!

You'll never fully figure life out. Like dancing, it's not always form that matters, it's flow.

Step on the floor. Stay loose. When the music changes, go with the flow.

But whatever you do...keep dancing.

"Amor fati," is what the stoics would say, meaning, "Love your fate."

The music might not get any easier but that's no reason to not get on the dance floor. Dance like it's your last dance—it might not be, but you'll silence your inner critic that's perhaps kept you from hearing the music all these years.

Press on...

Eddie