Single Entity

This may be a repeat post, but I don't really care. What I want to post is one of my favorite pieces of poetry, and, I recently found out, one of my Grammy's favorite pieces of poetry. I find that it has all the advice that one person could ever need, and certainly, upon rereading it today, it gave me exactly what I needed to know. It felt like my Grammy had reached out, put the poem in my hand, and led me to the words I needed. All I can say is that it was a surreal experience, and one I cherish.

For my Grandmother, R.E.G.C., 1920-2009,

The Desiderata
by Max Erhmann

Go placidly amid the noise & haste, & remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly & clearly; and listen to others, even the dull & ignorant; they too have their story. ~ Avoid loud & aggressive persons, hey are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain & bitter; for always there will be greater & lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. ~ Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. ~ Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity & disenchantment it is perennial as the grass. ~ Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue & loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. ~ You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees & the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. ~ Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors & aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. ~ With all it's sham, drudgery & broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy. ~ ~

I have a hard time explaining to people why I love dancing so much. I'm dancing almost all the time, even if you can't see it. If there's music around, I'm dancing. If there's not music, well, it's in my head.

I like to dance because it stops me from thinking, sometimes. And there are times that I want to simply stop what's in my head, and feel that glorious release of moving in exact timing with another person. Letting the music take over in my head until it's just the rhythm and my feet -- no second thoughts left.

Maybe it's the kind of release that people can find in exercise -- it is, after all, my exercise. I think, though, it's more like the goal of archery. You have to stop thinking and let your body take over, because it knows what to do, and the more you think the more possibility of error. The repetition until it just happens the way it should, without thought. Sometimes it's how I work with bowling, as well. Just do it, don't think about it.