Yes and Yee-Haw!
I wasn’t an athletic kid, so gym class was rarely fun for me, especially in junior and senior high. However, in elementary school, there was one activity that I looked forward to every year. Square Dancing! It was probably the only activity for which I had some aptitude. Go figure!
I enjoyed forming those squares with my classmates and learning the different names for the dance steps. Once we got them down, our gym teacher, Mr. Wood, put a record on the record player (I know that dates me) so we could put it together with music and the professional caller. Unlike most boys my age, I loved it, and I didn’t even mind dancing with a girl!
Now, let’s fast forward a few decades to when I worked in entertainment at Disney World. I was thrilled to find out I was cast in the Hoe Down Unit in the Easter Parade. The routine was fast and fun, and we sweat our boot scootin’ booties off! I had a variety of roles during my 7-year career at Disney, but I can honestly say that was the most fun I had performing in a parade. My dance partner was pure joy, and I savored every moment of that experience.
If you want to take a ride in a time machine, click this link to watch a YouTube video of the 1997 Walt Disney World Easter Parade on ABC-TV…complete with 90s commercials! Our unit appears about 20 minutes into the video with a hay wagon carrying the bears from the Country Bear Jamboree. For the filming, they brought in a dozen square dancing couples to lead the unit and a team of youth cloggers that tore up the street right behind us. Those kids made us look like we were going in slow motion!
Fast forward again to last week when I received text messages from two friends inviting me to join them at a square dancing club in St. Petersburg, FL. One of them started his message with “I know it’s kind of corny but…” Are you kidding me? Corny? That little elementary school boy’s joy returned as soon as I read the messages. I sent back, “Yes! And Yee-Haw! I’m in!”
The event for newcomers was this past Monday, and it was everything I hoped it would be. The people were incredibly kind and welcoming. The caller played fun music (including a Madonna song!) and every person I danced with was very patient as I relearned the steps. That parade was over 25 years ago so I was a little rusty!
We started by holding hands in a large circle just walking left and right. Within 5 minutes the caller had us doing the basic “do-si-do” with a promenade home. It was so much fun! My friends and I enjoyed it so much we plan to go back next week. If you happen to live in the St. Pete area of Florida and want to check it out, click here. It’s an LGBTQ+ group, but all are welcome, even if you happen to like the opposite gender.
Is there something you loved to do as a child that you haven’t done in a while? Walking in the woods? Coloring with crayons? Writing a poem? Singing? Dancing? Drawing? This week, I encourage you to think back on what activities brought you joy during your childhood. Then, give yourself permission to do one of those activities. In my opinion, you’re never too old to buy a coloring book and crayons, watch a Disney movie, dance in your living room, or build a sand castle.
For those having a difficult time connecting with joy, it would be my great honor to assist you with a series of Spiritual Coaching Sessions. I believe joy is an essential ingredient of a well-balanced, peaceful, and prosperous life, so we will laugh during our sessions. We will also create a safe space to explore anything that has you feeling stuck or unable to connect with your heart’s desires. Please look around my website for more information and to book a session. I look forward to creating joy with you!
Little child, you are hiding your head under the cover of the heavy blankets you have laid upon yourself.
A Course in Miracles ~ T-12.II.4:6