Could you be happy without dance?

[pygmalion]

Well? What do you think, dance addicts?

[Laura]

This sounds sacreligious to some, but dancing is just part of my life. A wonderfuly enjoyable part, but still a part. My other big love is travel, and I found that when I don't spend so much time dancing I have more time and money for travel! Funny how that works out!

[DWise1]

Response: Other, please comment.

Dancing is not my life. My marriage and family are my life.

I started dancing in order to please my wife, even though it was my suggestion. Actually, I overheard her tell a friend that she had always wanted to learn Salsa, so I mentioned Salsa classes being offered after work if she'd be interested. Part of my thinking was that it would give us something to do together. So I started and survived a series of intermediate Salsa classes (my first dance classes, period) for somebody else's sake.

But now I'm in dancing for myself. I know that the social interaction in dance is helping to keep me going despite the damage I've been taking in both areas of my life. And I think that the intellectual exercise and challenge of learning these new skills that are very different from what I 've studied before (even though I have drawn from my Aikido training from decades ago), help to focus my attention to much more positive things than I otherwise would. Besides, I've always loved music and dancing gives me a whole new dimension in which to appreciate and love music.

So dancing is not my life, I'm in it for myself, and I'm not about to give it up.

PS
Just adding this after being able to read the questions again:
If I were to give up dancing, I couldn't now have these bits of happiness.
And I feel certain that whatever future happiness I can find I will find because of or through dancing.

[pygmalion]

I'm sending you a hug right now, DWise1. I don't know if you need or want it, but I'm sending you a hug because I feel moved to do so. :friend:

[DWise1]

I'm sending you a hug right now, DWise1. I don't know if you need or want it, but I'm sending you a hug because I feel moved to do so. :friend:
Thanks. I promise I'll try to be more up-beat.

[pygmalion]

I've been through a lot of relationship stuff recently, too. Only be upbeat if that's how you feel, my friend. I'll like you whether you're upbeat or not. 8)

[etchuck]

Dance is the second or third most important thing in my life. It certainly provides much happiness and enjoyment in my life, but also is the source for a lot of frustration on the relationship standpoint (but I think we've hashed that out already). Would I be happy without dancing, I'm sure that I could be, but it's just part of an overall perspective I have.

[Sagitta]

It is an interesting question. What is dance in my life? Caould I be happy without dance? Hmmm....at one time I would say I could even live without it, but now? Dance has truly opened a new world for me. Dance has brought me the opportunity to interact with the good and bad, the old, the ugly, the fat - the skinny of life. It has truly opened my eyes to the fears and anxieties that we all have, the need to feel cared for and appreciated. The comfort of friendly touching without the nonsense that comes with dating. The inherent goodness in even those whom we detest, the stories we make about the facts that color our lives. The need to make others feel safe to tell their stories. And once we feel safe make new ones as we dance.

So dance is not just dancing for me. It is part of the social fabric that I have woven through my life. Without dance gaps would be ripped through this social web. So, no, I could not be truly happy without dance. I realize that I have said nothing about dance as exercise, dance as a means of reaching nirvana. That is all there, but ulitimately I view dance as communication and relationships, dancing and while not dancing. Would you cut off family and friends? I wouldn't and so I would not be able to be truly happy without dance. A piece of my soul would be missing, like the passing way of a loved one. I'm sure that time would make it easier, but somehow those things never ever completely go away, do they?

I've reached a new stage in dance, a maturity, a realization. A vision!! I'm truly one with dance. :D

[MacMoto]

I'd hesitate to say that dance is my life, but no, I don't think I could be happy without dance. There are certainly other things in my life, but dance is at the core of my social life. With my family pretty much out of reach, all the support I'm relying on in going through my breakup comes from my dance friends. I'd feel totally isolated and alone without it.

Dance is also an important aspect of my spiritual welbeing. I'm not religious and Christians among us may be offended by my view, but I think dance gives me what religious people would get from their faith. When I'm lost, dance helps me find myself again. It works on the fundamental core of myself and enables me to discover what I am, good and bad. It heals me, balances me and restores my confidence in me. It teaches me that I am not alone. It teaches me to live and enjoy my life.

My ex finds the importance I place on dance rather unhealthy and disturbing. Maybe he has a point, I don't know, but I do know I'd be a very unhappy person without dance right now and am grateful that I have it.

[pygmalion]

MacMoto,

I understand. Pretty well, I think. I had a conversation with my ex about this yesterday, believe it or not. He, as usual, was going on and on about why dancing is so important to me. My counter? Why is it so important to you that I give up one the few things in my life that gives me pure joy? Yes, there are other joyful things in my life, but dance is definitely a central one. I, for one, refuse to use someone else's standards to define what SHOULD make me happy.

There have been times in the past where dance DID take on too large a role in my life, I think. Things got out of balance, for reasons that I think are understandable. But they were out of balance, and when I realized that, I fixed it, without needing anyone to tell me or pressure me to do so.

[Sagitta]

I
Dance is also an important aspect of my spiritual welbeing. I'm not religious and Christians among us may be offended by my view, but I think dance gives me what religious people would get from their faith. When I'm lost, dance helps me find myself again. It works on the fundamental core of myself and enables me to discover what I am, good and bad. It heals me, balances me and restores my confidence in me. It teaches me that I am not alone. It teaches me to live and enjoy my life.


MacMoto. I'm a Christian, a Roman Catholic, and what I think people consider a devout one, though I personally find myself lacking. How each one of us finds the stablilizing influence, the rock of their lives, is up to that individual. Any true Christian wouldn't judge, or that's my opinion. Nuff' said. I don't want to necessarily start a religious thread going. But, just thought you should know that a honest, well-thought out, and respectful opinion should be simply be considered such.

[squirrel]

No, I could not be happy without dancing! It is the thing that keeps me going when I'm down! Yes, I could live without dancing, but I wouldn't call that living, I'd call it surviving... I'd lived without dancing for 3 months... and it was pure hell! Even though I was living my life... I lacked something of utmost value!
No I could not be happy without dancing!

[virginiadancegirl]

This is an interesting question for me....

I did live without dancing for 6 years...and, dare I say, didn't "miss" it in the way one would think. I thought about how much fun it "used to be" once in a while, but never with the longing and aching in my soul I would have thought.

I started dancing again with my current partner 8 monts ago. I am teaching some, performing some, and generally having a good time with it at this point in my life. It has become a major issue with my husband, as he seems to think it is taking over my life...arguing that I have no time for him, my daughter, or other household responsibilities... but I will not give it up....

So for me, I guess the answer is no...I would never CHOOSE to live without my dancing....nor do I think anyone should have to......

[pygmalion]

Interesting perspective, virginiadancegirl. 8)

[Genesius Redux]

Response: I beg your pardon....

[etchuck]

I may clarify things a bit: for me, I grew up more with music in general before I grew up with dance. So for me, it's the music that makes me happy as much as the social atmosphere of dancing. So even if it's all "art" or "dancesport", if there's no music attached to it, I won't enjoy it as much.

[salsachinita]

Even if, G*d forbid, for whatever reason that I won't be able to dance any more, the spirit & culture of salsa will stay with me.

I've lived without in the past, will not do that again.

[virginiadancegirl]

Beg who's pardon.....for what???????????? :shock:

Huh...I'm lost?!?!? :?


:D

[peachexploration]

I could probably do without the negative social aspects of it. I'm perfectly happy to dance alone. I know that's not very inspiring but forgive me, it's Monday. :?

[LauraB]

After my ballet and jazz days, before I discovered ballroom, I was completely miserable. I had no idea what I was going to do with my life when dance was not an option. My whole life was geared toward being a professional dancer of some kind, and to be in too much pain to take a single ballet class... well, it wasn't pleasant. I was totally aimless for about 2 years. I will never stop dancing again.

[Sagitta]

I could probably do without the negative social aspects of it. I'm perfectly happy to dance alone. I know that's not very inspiring but forgive me, it's Monday. :?

You know the odd thing? I see negative things happening around me, now and then, but I surround myself with the positive and with the friendly, with those who are honest and the good. And those vibes flow right back to me. I can go anywhere in my local area dancing and have a good time even if I don't know how to dance. For example, AT and swing...which I'm lousy at. What one does really comes around.

Come to Ithaca, I'll dance with you and point out those whom you can dance with and have a good time etc.

[tsb]

I'd hesitate to say that dance is my life, but no, I don't think I could be happy without dance. There are certainly other things in my life, but dance is at the core of my social life. With my family pretty much out of reach, all the support I'm relying on in going through my breakup comes from my dance friends. I'd feel totally isolated and alone without it.

Dance is also an important aspect of my spiritual welbeing. I'm not religious and Christians among us may be offended by my view, but I think dance gives me what religious people would get from their faith. When I'm lost, dance helps me find myself again. It works on the fundamental core of myself and enables me to discover what I am, good and bad. It heals me, balances me and restores my confidence in me. It teaches me that I am not alone. It teaches me to live and enjoy my life.


i have found the social dance community in general to be an affirming one (not to mention the quantifiable effects of music & touch therapy which occur during the physical act of dancing) - there have been many times where i've felt more welcome & accepted at a dance than in a room full of professing believers. but it's like dance, experience with imperfect (ed. substituted for 'bad') followers doesn't mean that dance itself is somehow flawed.

i personally find nothing offensive about your viewpoint. it seems clear to me that everyone has a 'god' in that it's what they rely on in times of stress to help them cope. it's also my experience that many have an actual god that may not be the 'god' of the faith they claim to adhere to - not out of any sense of apostasy or desire to rebel, but rather that it's what they learned & it's become a habit - & they shop, they eat, they shift blame onto other people, they lie, they have sex, whatever...


My ex finds the importance I place on dance rather unhealthy and disturbing. Maybe he has a point, I don't know, but I do know I'd be a very unhappy person without dance right now and am grateful that I have it.

i often think that i wouldn't know what to do if i couldn't dance anymore. but i could get broadsided by a drunk driver or be injured in some other sort of freak accident & not be able to dance anymore. in which case i'd have to make a choice as to whether i was still going to be happy. as long as i didn't go deaf i'd probably go back more into my music & get into some sort of tight jazz ensemble-type group; i'd still have music, still have to be aware of what everyone else was doing & the sensitivty to interaction that that would entail (i think great jazz musicians would also make great dancers since they already have a feel for the music AND have a collaborative mindset in terms of how they interact). i'd manage.


and in reply to sagitta in a subsequent post, my understanding is that the scriptures say that no one is to judge without subjecting themselves to the same (or greater) level of scrutiny first. but sometimes judgements do need to be made in terms of evaluating other people's words & behavior.

[10Dancer]

While there are many things I enjoy in life inclding work, friends, and travel, dance is still the first thing I think of every morning and the last thing I think of every night. I can't even remember what I used to do with my time before I started dancing.

Work is great but it really is just a way for me to make more money to afford more dancing. Working towards my degree is great but it is really just a way for me to get better work to afford more dancing. Some people think I am obsessed. I would have to agree.

On another note, I did recently go two weeks without a lesson and I am still alive. :D

[pygmalion]

Glad to hear you made it.

[borikensalsero]

Take the moon, the sun, the stars, the water that hydrates my body, the food that keeps the cells reaching for another day, rip the object of pulsating from my body, but take not the dance that sooths the depths of love, for I can lose life itself but not the dance that roots my world.

[dancin_feet]

I'm sure that I could be happy without dance, but I don't want to be without it. It is a part of me. Like losing a limb, I'm sure I could find happiness without it, but would prefer to not have to face that.

[Sakura]

Take the moon, the sun, the stars, the water that hydrates my body, the food that keeps the cells reaching for another day, rip the object of pulsating from my body, but take not the dance that sooths the depths of love, for I can lose life itself but not the dance that roots my world.

*sniffles* Boriken, :notworth: :notworth: :notworth: :notworth: :notworth: :notworth: That was beautiful... And I whole-heartedly agree!

Sagitta, :notworth: :notworth: :notworth:, to you as well! Not only for your first post, but also for saying that a true Christian wouldn't judge! I wish there were more people like that where I live. Those who judge (not even Christians) make things extremely difficult for people; so much more so on the religious level. When someone has a different religion or has combined religions (like me), and someone starts insulting you or saying you're wrong when they have no idea what they're talking about, it's very irritating... Happens to be why I say, "People Upstairs," when I'm in groups! That way, people can pick and choose their Diety(ies) from those two words! :D

Now, back to topic! Religion can find it's own way onto another topic or forum! =^__^=

Dance is my Life. Plain and simple. If I could, I'd eat, drink, live, and sleep Dance. If I couldn't dance, my depression would be beyond words... It's a cruel fate, I think, to have something happen that would prevent one who lives Dancing from Dancing. It would take quite a bit of courage, of support, of understanding to slowly crawl out from the sure depression that would come along with loosing the ability to Dance.

So, I dance as often as I can, even if they're not real steps, and I stay satisfied with whatever dance I do! Then I wait until the next time... Even if I do get upset and start whining when more than a month has gone by! :D (Although it's more like: :cry: :evil: :cry: :evil: :cry: When 2 and 3 months go by without dancing!!!!)

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

PS-I know the post's not ornate; but this one, I don't think needs to be. =^_^= It's the truth, plain and simple; and I think it's all we're trying to get here. :D

[DancePoet]

I was happy before without dance, I could be happy again if I had to, I'm happy dancing, and glad it is a part of my life.

[peachexploration]

....Come to Ithaca, I'll dance with you and point out those whom you can dance with and have a good time etc....

Thanks, my friend. :)

[Genesius Redux]

Beg who's pardon.....for what???????????? :shock:

Huh...I'm lost?!?!? :?


:D

If someone should ask me, "Could you be happy if you didn't dance?" 8)

[Sakura]

Beg who's pardon.....for what???????????? :shock:

Huh...I'm lost?!?!? :?


:D

If someone should ask me, "Could you be happy if you didn't dance?" 8)

So then we're taking your answer for a resounding, "NO!!" :D :lol:

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[KevinL]

Other: please specify

Could I be happy if I couldn't dance? That's hard to say. It's hard because the only thing that I can think of that would keep me from dancing would be a permanent debilitating injury or disease. Would I be happy confined to a wheelchair? Probably not at first, but that might be more because of a longing for what I would have lost than an appreciation of what I would still have. There are people who live (mostly) happily on four wheels, and I like to think I could be one of them, but it's hard to say.