Dancing through life

This past week was completely packed. While looking back on it and trying to draw connections I realized that the last seven days had two major things in common: expectations and dancing.

July 4, as we all know, landed on a Wednesday and I was hell bent on making my bonus day count. I began frantically emailing friends about their plans for the day. To no avail, it was the night before and things were still up in the air. There were options. I would see people and spend time with people. I had to let go of a BIG plan. Who cares about a BIG plan anyway? The day would at least be my own instead of my desk’s and that would be enough.

Just Dance, It Will Be Ok

In going with the impromptu feeling of the Wednesday July 4, parties started popping up at the last minute Tuesday night. So I went out dancing! Can I just tell you how good it feels to dance? Because it feels amazing. There has been a lot going on in my head lately, as I tackle new projects at work and search for a new roommate and travel every single weekend out of town and get ready for my trip to Israel. All good things, but just a lot whirring around in my head. But when I go out, and the music blares in my ears and vibrates in my chest, everything goes away. When I close my eyes and just groove, nothing matters. Not to mention, the friends I went downtown with were all fabulous dancers—people who are so into it they need space for their moves. We had dance-offs. We bounced around on the rooftop couches. It was a total blast. My expectations for the kick-off to my day off were met.

The actual holiday of July 4 was the perfect mix of productivity and relaxation. I spent the morning getting the things done I never have time for (see: laundry) while watching Wimbledon (yay tennis) and then spent the afternoon at the pool and the park with friends. No pressure. Just fun.

The Moves Like Jagger

Thursday night, my girl friends and I went to see MagicMike. Can I just say…it was everything I’d hoped for and more? The marketers of this movie are geniuses. They marketed the film as a commercial flick, all skin and sex and no brains. Personally, I might have been ok with that for one movie and one night. After all, have you ever seen a sexier cast than the lineup of Matthew McConaughey, Channing Tatum, Mattew Bomer, and JoeManganiello? Watching them parade around shirtless and chiseled with a serving of Channing’s phenomenal dancing on the side would have been amazing on its own. Yet, the movie was actually a bit more indie and brainy than the trailer let on—featuring thoughtful direction, focused shot-making and a true storyline (not just an empty plot). Brava Steven Soderbergh.

I was SO happy I went to see that movie. It was worth every penny. So while I prefer to dance myself, on nights when I can’t watching amazing choreography is a nice substitute.

For I...Can't...Help...

Then the weekend hit. I was traveling home to CT to hitch a ride with my family up to Meredith, New Hampshire. My brother is performing at InterlakesTheatre up in Meredith as part of summer stock. He is currently in performance for the first of four shows this summer. So we packed our bags and got ready to see the Elvis musical All Shook Up! In the style of Mamma Mia, the show takes the music of Elvis and builds a plot around it. What comes out is a bit of a cheesy show, but it’s so fun and the music is so great that you ignore the corn and love every minute of it.

Prior to this weekend I had seen my family a lot. A lot, as in, every weekend since the summer began. I love my family, and I don’t regret a single trip I took home. But, I was stressing over work and the roommate decisions hung over my head and I was just ready to get in a fight. Plain and simple. 

I was ready for my mom to ask too many questions, to pry. I was ready for her to over-involve herself in my decision (even though I had asked her for her advice just 12 hours before). I was expecting it, like a lion ready for the kill. So when she asked if I had received any more inquiries about the room, I pounced. 

It wasn't fair, to be honest. But because I attacked, she engaged. And then the aura was tense. How you approach a situation can completely dictate that situation. I'm a big believer in the self-fulfilling prophecy. If you expect something to go wrong, chances are it will. So thanks to my attitude, and my inability to control it even when I know it's going haywire, led to a less enjoyable car ride. 

But once again, the power of dance prevails. While the tension broke much earlier than when the curtain rose, any trace leftovers of it apparated the instant my brother took the stage dancing. If I may, he is a ridiculous dancer. His talent never ceases to amaze me. He ALWAYS surprises me with his growth as a performer. Every time I think I have figured out his character type or dance level, he brings something new to the table and baffles me all over again. The show was simply adorable and I learned that I actually really like Elvis music, particularly when arranged a la musical theatre (do yourself a favor and listen to this).


It was a huge treat to be able to travel to see him perform, to see such a quality production, and to (what else?) get up and dance in the aisles during the bows of the Saturday night show. 


While dancing and managing my expectations might seem completely unrelated, my high school yearbook quote lifted from Wicked puts it perfectly: Nothing matters but knowing nothing matters, it's just life so keep dancing through.

It's not worth getting stressed out over things, particularly in advance. No need to anticipate that something will be frustrating, or it will turn out that way. Just let life roll off your back. Relax. Smile. Turn on some music. Dance. I promise you'll feel better.