We’ve all heard the saying, “Dance like no one is watching.” But I loved coming across this fuzzy photo of my mom doing her trademark Charleston step and seeing her in action. Mom was born in 1913, so coming of age in the Roaring Twenties, she must have loved a dance that had people flapping their arms, kicking up their heels and giving up stuffy, suffocating etiquette.
My mother always did the same Charleston dance step and the smile on her face as she moved was pure childlike joy. That Mom was full of fun and brave enough to dance, even when everyone was watching, is what’s most precious to me about this photo. Energy like that sparks joy that washes over everyone, giving an implicit OK to let loose without worrying what people think.
I was curious who said those words and discovered it was author, speaker and Professor Emeritus of Counselor Education at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, William Purkey, who clearly knew what he was talking about. I believe the whole quote attributed to him (although a few country singers have used it too) is:
“Sing like no one is listening.
Love like you’ve never been hurt.
Dance like nobody’s watching,
and live like it’s heaven on earth.”
So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and dance!
P.S. If you like this, please feel free to re-post it. And if you aren’t already a follower, please take a second to follow this blog. It just means you’ll be notified with a link when a new post comes up, so you don’t have to search.