Amy Lu's View

I couldn’t stop watching the elderly lady who was dancing so vigorously that her white pants seemed in danger of falling down. 

The song ended, and her pants did NOT fall down. And it looked like she had a great time dancing (she was definitely very good at it, this lady had moves) and I had a great time watching. 

In fact, I was so moved by seeing a gathering of people together, dancing, taking joy in music and movement and community at the Salsa del Soul concert at Silverwood OnStage in St. Anthony (a nearby Minneapolis suburb), that I almost cried. 

This would have been a beautiful experience any year, but after the isolation and restrictions of COVID (which yes, in many ways, I also enjoyed, #Contradictions) it was precious. 

Not only did I take joy in watching the Lady in the White Pants, I loved watching all the dancers–the young, the old, the sexy, the awkward, the skilled, the goofy (not mutually exclusive categories). 

Yes, I know various signs and mugs and tsotchkes exhort us to “Dance like nobody’s watching,” but sometimes someone IS watching (me) and I’m very appreciative for those who put their freedom and exuberance on display. 

May I sometimes laugh at the dancers? Yes, but not to be intentionally mean or critical–but to appreciate the silliness and playfulness of the moment.

Do I wish that I wasn’t just a bystander, and that I had the courage to join in, even though I would most certainly look like a dork dancing by myself (or with anyone, really)? Yes, of course, but there is also a unique pleasure in being in the audience–of having the perspective of the perimeter. 

And of course, the biggest pleasure is just being a part of the whole, in whatever way.

I hope to make more time in my life for dancing–whether publicly (doubtful), or privately (possible–shouldn’t this be one of the advantages of working from home, impromptu kitchen dance breaks?) I was recently very inspired by a reading Chad chose for a church service:

“A party of one is sometimes the best time. Dance by yourself, anywhere there is room in your house. There is something, even a bit magic, to music, to movement and a touch of laughter. Go ahead: dance.”

From “Lean Forward Into Your Life” by Mary Anne Radmacher

These words are like a time machine transporting me all the way back to the summer of 1988, when I rocked out by myself to the song “Sweet Child of Mine” at my sister’s apartment. For some reason, I had her place entirely to myself and when that song came on the radio, I felt free and able to shake loose any sense of self-consciousness. It wasn’t even really one of my favorite songs, but that didn’t matter. Thirty-three years later and I still remember that feeling of release. 

So, Dance Like Nobody’s Watching…or…Dance Like Everybody’s Watching….or Dance Like Only Someone Special’s Watching…or…Dance Like Your Dog’s Watching…or Watch Other People Dance…or…Watch Your Dog Dance…

Just be part of the dance. (Don’t necessarily get a sign for all of these ideas, though–#ProgressivesDrRick).