Tuesday, April 13, 2010

When was the last time you danced?

"....to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free
Silhouetted by the sea, circled by the circus sands
With all memory and fate driven deep beneath the waves
Let me forget about today until tomorrow." Bob Dylan

I didn't dance this weekend, although there were a few moments that I felt like it.  The weather was wonderfully refreshing. The sky had a number of diamonds sprayed across it. The beach fire was warm and the sand felt soft on my bare feet.  It was a night for dancing.

I'm not dancing today because I don't feel like it.  I am thinking about a lot of things that are weighing me down, making me feel heavy instead of light. Some of these are dredged up stuff from the past, some are anxieties about today, and some are simply about life's reality and complexity. 

The stuff from the past is mostly about my mother.  There are days when I wish that she were still here. She loved me unconditionally. I don't think that there is a stronger love than a mother for a child.  I know that I wasn't the most patient with her at times, especially when she was depressed or when she began to have signs of mild dementia.  I wanted her to still be the strong vital woman that she was. I eventually came to terms that she was small and old and was leaning on me more and more.  I became the parent to a certain extent.  It is tough to see the winnowing away of those who have been our rocks.

If I could I would ask her to dance right now, a slow waltz.  I am sure that she was dancing those last few days before she died because she told me that my long dead father had come to take her dancing.  I am sure that she was happy with those thoughts.

The anxiety about today stems from my spirit feeling bound and tight.  I am anxious now to move on, to put the work behind me, to stop emptying out my file cabinets and computer.  I feel as if I am attending a badly put together funeral.  And I want it to be over.  The dance music is like a funeral dirge now where it used to be rock and roll.

And life's reality and complexity....well, I am reminded over and over that I have no power to change anyone but myself.  I may not like what others do or say but there is nothing that I can do about that.  The bad choices of others in my life aren't my business.  But if that is so, then where does the anxiety come from when I see the mistakes being made by others?  I remind myself that I can't be the salvation for another.  They have their own Higher Power and I'm not it.  This is a dance that I know only too well.  It's one that has trapped me in the past.  I was caught in its clutches of alcoholism and went round and round with my partner.  I stop and remember that I can choose to sit this one out.   

29 comments:

  1. Really nice, Syd. Thanks for the reminder about "sitting one out" and not always having to participate in the drama of others. I think when we're in that kind of envirmonment, we can also "change the record" sometimes by breaking out routine, trying a new activity, or participating in something that gives us joy.

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  2. It is natural to be in the limbo you are experiencing with the retirement looming and not in the position to get in and work like you used to. Your memories of your mother are sweet and kind. You were fortunate to have known her and blessed to have her for your mother. The last time I danced was yesterday. One of the walking exercise tapes I use every day has some cool music I really like and I started dancing instead of the regular exercise. Fun!

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  3. I've often wondered what one thing would I want to do with my mother if she were here today to grant a wish to me. I think I would choose for her to comb my hair. We had the best moments of my childhood memory in her combing and braiding my hair. As an adult, to hug MY children would be a dream.

    Whatever clutters your mind today, I pray your able to store it neatly away until one thing at a time can be put into perspective.
    Hugs
    Tammy

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  4. that's one dance we all should sit out... hard to do some days.

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  5. Some dances of the past have felt like mosh pits and most of the time now, I'm quick to say no thanks.

    But I love all sorts of other dances, especially when my spirit feels heavy. There's nothing like blasting a few great songs, dancing barefoot in my living room and letting the worries fall off.

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  6. Yes Sid, a mother's love is unconditional. We are the "fixers" of everything, even my 15 yr. old when he's facing a problem will look at me like "Can u help?" but we are not rocks, and like how you are feeling, there are a lot of days that I would like to "sit this one out". To me this is one of the hardest parts of recovery, living in daily life. I have to work at this, even tiny things can dictate my day, and attitude. I find myself constantly adjusting how I react to situations. You are not alone, some days just the day to day living is enough to make me forget about dancing and look for a chair, but before I know it my feet are tapping, and I'm ready to hit the light fantastic.....

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  7. Hi Syd, thanks for stopping by. I loved the dance bit. For a moment I was reminded of Garth Brooks
    "the Dance". Take care.

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  8. I was never very good at ballet and always felt clumsy. I love to dance around the house to 70s music while cleaning, singing to the dogs. Some of my happiest memories were of my mother having the music on while she cleaned. She is older now and I am learning to let go of what I need her to be and who she is. Thanks for sharing your e,s, and h. It helps.

    ♥namaste♥

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  9. Sorry you are struggling right now, Syd, but I'd bet my bottom dollar you'll come out on the other side just fine. Hang in there.

    Love,

    SB

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  10. i reckon this is just ripples from the relocation from work to retirement. change does that to us. makes us more negative. its temporary :)
    'Do not adjust your sets. Normal service will resume shortly'

    Might require a bit of patience as your work has had a BIG profile in your past, so a few rocks will come loose, but this is normal. allow yourself to be 'not quite yourself' for a while. Go easier on yourself than normal. Less hard work in whatever form it comes in. Easy does it. When things settle down again, then you can ramp up again to your usual levels of activity.
    Thats what I do when I have a lot on, and loads of change happening. I need to conserve energy you see. I cant do everything. :)

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  11. Thanks Syd. As active as my own addiction has been, I am also a codependent, and I need these reminders to let my wife heal in her own time. Sorry you're struggling - I hope that the kindness you spread around to others comes back to you as you need it.

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  12. Lots of life going on in this post. As my aunt who lived till near 100 used to say, "Life is big". She was right.

    PG

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  13. Thinking of you!! Hope you feel like dancing soon!

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  14. How beautiful that your departed father came to take your mother dancing shortly before she died. I hope I go that way!

    Hugs,
    Anna

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  15. TechnoBabe used the word limbo which feels accurate to me. You're leaving one mountaintop behind but you haven't reached the next peak. Instead, you're in the valley, probably in shadow a lot of the day, neither here nor there.

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  16. I am on the same journey and recovery process in alanon. I will add your blog to my blogroll. Great post.

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  17. I have been feeling that heaviness from you for a little while now. I hope it passes soon.

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  18. But it is a joy to dance with and for ourselves.
    Beautifully written.

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  19. A beautiful post Syd. As you may gather from reading my blog, with its occasional personal reference, my own mom's love is not unconditional. It hurts me still. But I am joyous when I hear what others do have, because it gives me the smallest hope that I may break that mold....made by my mom and her mom. They had ideals, but they never learned that it was OK to say I love you and that criticism is not love, not really....

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  20. Another masterpiece, Syd. Obviously from the heart and from the soul.

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  21. Nice use of dance - bother literally and metaphorically. And very nice reminder that we can sit one out.
    I hope you work through the anxiety, from what you wrote you sound like you are in the right track.
    God bless you Syd.

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  22. I loved reading the love you have for your mother, wish you better days.

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  23. I miss my Mom too. We just never get too old to want our Mom's standing by ready to give us that big hug and smile that makes us feel safe and loved no matter what. We really can't be someone else's higher power, great way to put it Syd.

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  24. Hi Syd

    I hope you get through this anxiety you have. Using dancing in this post was very pretty you know. We all dance the dance of life and some or other time that dancing is going to stop. Maybe someone will pick us up along the way and dance with us, but some times we have to sit one out.

    I love reading your blog. You are very honest and very personal. :)

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  25. Thank you for this post... You have a way of expressing yourself that is so clear. I am nearly always touched when I take a moment to visit you here. Thank you. Prayers for you, my friend.

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  26. I needed that last paragraph, Syd.

    On so many things today, I will choose to sit out.

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  27. Nice post, we all have days like that and I think it's important to take care of ourselves and our feelings during these times. For me, finding something small that makes me happy (maybe a cup of coffee, a book, a funny tv show)can jump start me onto better feelings. I hope you feel better soon.

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  28. There is nothing wrong with feeling anxious for someone else,Syd.As long as you can see you cannot do anything for that person but let them walk their path.You have been there before,like you said,you know that dance.May as well turn it into a new dance move instead of the old routine.Meaning,let yourself feel what you need to for another,then let it go.Next time you feel this,try putting on your fave CD ;)

    T xo

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  29. Time for a small confession - I love to dance on the beach. It may look like walking, but I love to dance in the waves.

    My hope is that you're lighter and dancing again soon.

    Blessings and aloha...

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