Dance Like No One's Watching! (Updated from 12/14/2014)

"You've gotta dance

like there's nobody watching,

Love like you'll never be hurt,

Sing like nobody is listening,

And live like it's heaven on earth."

-- Attribution Indeterminate

Some photos are wrong on so many levels, and I should know, I take them.  The one saving grace is this person (above) cares so little about what others think.  He is going to dance like there's no one watching!  God forgive me, but I really don't want to watch.  But, when you think about it, shouldn't we all? I mean, dance like nobody is watching?  

There is a lot to be said for people who throw caution to the wind and live life to the fullest, not much of which is positive.  Throwing caution to the wind takes your life expectancy from "average" to a crap shoot.  Let's face it, those people who ski glaciers, scuba dive with sharks, BASE jump, fall from perfectly good aircraft, free solo climb, kayak Class 4 - 6 whitewater, hunt alligators, and all the like, seem to be in denial about their deep lack of respect for their own life.  Don't get me wrong, I applaud their large steel huevos, I just think they've lost their minds and have a serious lack of good sense.  These are the people that, once dead, crippled, or comatose, we'll all think, "Damn, took longer than anyone thought!"

So when I look at this guy, he seems fairly harmless to himself and those around him, not that I'd let my child anywhere near him... until he repositions that fin and moves clear of the beer cart and the porta-potties.  I'm sure that the women found him just drop dead darling, though.  As for me, not so much.  I don't know this gentleman, though he brought to mind other people I do know.  None of them come close to looking as zany as he does, but they do harbor his zest for life and being themselves, regardless of opinion.  This is a good thing, and I would let my children near them.

"I think people would live a little bit longer if they didn't know how old they were.  Age puts restrictions on things."

-- Karl Pilkington

I think Karl Pilkington is wrong... and right.  Age puts restrictions on things so we will live a little bit longer.  It's called using "good sense" when danger is involved.  But, other than the danger aspects, is the reason why more of us don't follow the philosophy, outlined in the above quote, is the fear of being judged that we're not acting our age?  For the most part, people who do live life to the fullest could give a rat's patoot what others think of them.  

Again, take my photo of this handsome fella.  Please take it.  Judges give him a big "8" on the Weirdometer.  I have seen strange things, but then, I spent 22 years in the military, so this guy was fairly sedate.  Truth be known, he's probably a really great guy; possibly a family man, a retired full bird colonel suffering from PTOCBD (Post Traumatic Officer Club Bar Disorder), pining for the good old days of Hunter S. Thompson, divorced three times, drives a Hummer, has a daughter in the Air Force Academy, and a stock portfolio that says, "Neener, neener, neener, life is a wiener, and I don't have to work no mo!"  But, that's just a wild guess that I pulled from my nether regions where I keep all things wild, like guesses.

When it comes right down to it, why in the world do we really care what others think of us as long as we're not hurting them, or ourselves?  Hey, if you don't have to conform to some work, school, or societal standard that enables you to live, then why not throw a little caution to the wind?  Why not follow the "dance like nobody's watching" philosophy and make the occasional fool out of yourself?  It's a lot more fun than being normal and conforming.  Not that I would know, of course... just another wild guess from my... oh, never mind.

"To be heroic is to be courageous enough to die for something; to be inspirational is to be crazy enough to live life a little."

-- Criss Jami

I think that we spend way too much time conforming, worrying, and being offended. What we really want to do is to be a little offensive. We worry about being disgusted when what we really want is to do is be disgusting for a while, you know, like singing karaoke.

This Sunday, consider blowing the minds of your relatives for Christmas.  Wear the ugly Christmas sweater or the flashing Christmas tie.  Put on the Santa cap and loudly belt out an obnoxious, "Ho, Ho, Ho!"  Tell the wife you'd be happy to go sing carols around the neighborhood with her.  You'd love to take her for dinner or drinks and tell her you love her.  Grab the mic on the kid's karaoke unit and totally embarrass them by launching into some song you have no clue how to sing.  Wear the lampshade at the Christmas party.  Do something totally out of character... on in character. Be the fun one! Try being wrong, in a good way, on at least a few levels, this holiday season!

"Dance. Smile. Giggle. Marvel.  TRUST.  HOPE.  LOVE.  WISH.  BELIEVE.  Most of all, enjoy every moment of the journey, and appreciate where you are at this moment instead of always focusing on how far you have to go."

-- Mandy Hale

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. Opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form their own opinions, 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 while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning those opinions offered. After twenty-three years of military intelligence, I believe that engaging each other in this manner, and in this arena, is a 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 United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. Following his service career, he spent 17 years working with the premier and world-renowned Western Institutional Review Board, helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. He also served 8 years on the Board of Directors for the Angela J. Bowen Foundation.

Ordained in 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As a weapon for his war on intolerance, he chose the pen. He 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 personal, spiritual path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

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