Last weekend, my husband took me dancing. It had been a while, but it reminded me of how we are daily dancing with Spirit.
Dancing has always been a big part of my life. My mother enrolled me in classes when I was only seven years old. My teacher told me I was her prize pupil and included me in many performances over several years. At a very young age, I learned to dance in front of audiences with a certain amount of poise and grace.
After many years of working and raising kids, my dancing days went by the wayside. Then, when I was single again, I met my current husband. Much to my surprise, he was a dance teacher and took me on as his partner to teach dance classes. That was in the ’90s when country dancing was so popular. Once again, I was performing in front of audiences around the area, but this time as a teacher.
But last week, on the dance floor with my partner of 26+ years, I had a revelation: Dancing is very much like spirituality.
Like Spirit, my husband is a strong dance lead. After I learned the steps and correct form for partner dancing, which I picked up in the private lessons he gave me years ago, I just needed to follow his lead on the dance floor. Throughout the different maneuvers and spins, I followed him and repeated the steps I still knew well.
Spirituality is the same way: Once we learn the practices and principles, we can relax in the essence of Spirit, which leads us in the dance of life. No need to worry about straying too far, as Spirit strength is always there to bring us back — just as my husband does on the dance floor. We hang on, follow the lead, and enjoy our lives.
Of course, now that we are getting older, we are not as agile as we once were. Nor do we possess the stamina to dance the night away as we once did. Occasionally, I missed the step. My husband noticed my stumbling and waited until I caught up and got my bearings. A few times, we stopped and started again.
Isn’t that what dancing with spirituality is as well? We stumble, and we fall. And when we are ready to begin again, Spirit is there waiting for us to follow the queues.
After last night, I understood dance on a whole new level and once again appreciated that I married the dance teacher.