How to Live a Fulfilling Life: I Hope You Dance
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The date…April 25, 2020. The setting…the lovely Tunnel Creek Vineyards in Person County, North Carolina, idyllic in the evening with the amber sky and the trees reflecting in the pond at sunset. All the preparations had been made. It was to be magical – until it wasn’t. It was the prom…Mary Grace’s senior prom…and it was canceled.
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The prom is a dance, of course…one, single dance. In contrast, Eckhart Tolle offered the proverb, “Life is the dancer…you are the dance.” Albert Einstein’s perspective is also centered on the dancer, instead of the dance, and he said, “We dance for laughter. We dance for tears. We dance for madness. We dance for fears. We dance for hopes. We dance for screams. We are the dancers. We create the dreams.” These words, so full of meaning, made me think of a song that has resonated with me since I became a mother – wanting better for my son than I had for myself…wanting him to dance in his life. I want the same for Mary Grace. The lyrics to Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance” are so poignant and explore choices for approaching different situations in life…choices that we make as the “dancer” – responsible for our own life choices.
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I know this time has been hard for Mary Grace – who was looking so forward to wearing her elegant, black prom dress, being able to enjoy an exciting, new venue, and spend time with her family and friends. COVID-19 took that from her, but Womack’s words remind us to be present in the moment…to “never lose your sense of wonder”. The lyrics remind us to remain humble by never taking each breath for granted and continuing to “feel small when you stand beside the ocean”. Taking chances, considering faith, being optimistic and open to love, and overcoming the fear of “the mountains in the distance” are all themes that she sings about. Although I know it does not replace THE dance, I hope that the surprise that Mary Grace’s mother and sister planned for her this weekend – on the Saturday that would have been the prom – causes her to “dance” in all of these ways, and more. I want her to dance in the joy that others want for her and in the love that they have for her…the love that caused them to plan a surprise day to celebrate her. I am sure that there are many similar celebrations planned for other young people, and I want all of them to…“dance”.
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I wish I could have been there to take pictures for you as we had planned – instead of just editing these, Mary Grace. In the meantime, consider the words of Steve Maraboli, “Dance and sing to your music. Embrace your blessings. Make today worth remembering.”
Blessings ~
Lisa