Dance Like There's Nobody Watching! (Updated from 2/20/2015)

“You've gotta dance 

like there's nobody watching,

Love like you'll never be hurt,

Sing like there's nobody listening,

And live like it's heaven on earth.”

-- William W. Purkey

The Mardi Gras celebration, in Pass Christian, Mississippi, on the Gulf Coast, packs our small town with thousands of visitors who come to enjoy the over eighty colorful and noisy floats. This is one of several celebrations the community looks forward to throughout the year, and they take this one especially to heart, with the colorful floats and costumes, lots of beads and food, southern fun, and, of course, the people. Lots of people! Lots of happy people! People were dancing in the streets, in their seats, and in front of their businesses. I have found that it doesn't take much to get Southerners to cut loose, and why not?

Two gentlemen joined in with two women, on the sidewalk, for a bit of two-on-two line dancing.  Was anyone watching?  Nope.  There was the occasional glance, a smile, and even another couple of much younger girls than joined in momentarily.  Why didn't more people take notice?  Because everyone does it down here!  Spontaneous dancing just isn't that big of a deal.  The folks that get noticed might be the ones that do it well enough to compete on Dancing with the Stars, or they might not.  And the people who take the most notice?  Probably from Minnesota or Michigan, looking to retire here.

What made this great for me is the fact the men are both military veterans; one of them is a Marine and the other is Army.  This was of particular interest to me as an Air Force retiree, to catch Marine and Army grunts dancing... together.  But, isn't this what life is all about?  Aren't we supposed to relax and have fun occasionally?  Well, why can't we do it all the time?  Good question.  Why not?  Why can't we just walk down the street and have a moment of spontaneous dance?  Who would really care and, even if they did, why should you give a fig?  Better if they just joined in and made a spontaneous "mob dance" the new rave in the world.  If it happens anywhere, I'll bet it will happen here.

Why don't people, everywhere, make a conscious attempt, every day, to have a spontaneous moment of dance and laughter, in public?  Grab the unsuspecting partner next to us, the wife, stranger, or friend, and dance a little ditty just for the hell of it.  Let's throw caution to the wind and make ourselves look silly for the briefest of moments.  Who knows, maybe we'll like it and make it a constant part of our lives.  How great would that be?  And, if the children see the adults losing control, in a good way, what possible harm would that do?  They might just grow up remembering a time when life was fun, even for just a moment.  They might even pass it forward.  Again, how great would that be?

Smile, and may God bless!

"I'm making the statement that we should all live life and have a laugh. Nakedness is a thing where people take notice. If you do it the right way, people laugh."

-- Mark Roberts

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either view any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

I fervently hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and, finally, a senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Western Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research.

Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony: tolerantpastor@gmail.com