dance lessons

I don’t dance. It was forbidden. Even if it hadn’t been verboten, I doubt that my self-conscious, serious, young soul would have had the courage to dance, even though that same soul has always thrilled to the beauty of graceful movement (think Kristi Yamaguchi figure skating). Even though my soul has always leaned toward the joy of uninhibited, playful movement to music (think little girl standing on her daddy’s feet learning to dance at a big, fat Greek wedding).

So when I asked the Beloved Trinity for one word to focus on during the year a few years ago and the answer was “dance,” I knew it was God. There’s no way I would have thought of that word.

My one word honestly didn’t mean that much to me in the early part of the year. There were a few connections like “dancing my way out the door” when I resigned from my job (not sure I managed that) and actual dancing with people watching (eek!) for the first time ever at our younger son’s wedding. (Not sure I managed that either!)

The biggest connection with “dance” came when I started a new spiritual practice called the Ignatian exercises. One day as I began my time of prayer—“raising my mind and thinking how God our Lord was looking at me, and other such thoughts” (Kevin O’Brien in The Ignatian Adventure)—I heard: “Thank you for coming to dance lessons.”

Dance lessons?! Whaaat? No more “doing devotions” or “taking a quiet time” for me, thank you. I was showing up for dance lessons.

And the more I thought about it, the more it rang true. Is dance not all about moving to music, often with a partner? When I withdraw from “getting stuff done” to spend intentional time with God, I can rematch my steps to the music of Love. When I step into solitude and silence to pray, I can most clearly perceive and then follow Love’s lead. I can keep in step with the Spirit.