Dancing in the Rain

Remember that phrase everybody used to say: ‘life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it is about dancing in the rain’? I’ve always loved the meaning behind it. Though, it wasn’t until recently that I truly embraced the sentiment. Having been a dancer my whole life, I have always understood and appreciated the healing power of dance. I thrive on the freedom, creative expression, and emotional release the art brings.

It had been a while since I allowed myself to truly ‘dance my heart out’, but here I was, engulfed in one of my life’s greatest storms, and what did I do? Well, I danced in the rain..quite literally. I can’t exactly put into words the powerful and invigorating experience I had, but I highly encourage you to try it out yourself. Here is my story.

I had been going through a lot of fear, emotion, and sense of loss regarding my health challenges. I kind of just allowed myself to crumble and succumb to every single negative thought I had about my life and my future. Then, after a bit of a pity party, I thought to myself, ‘Are you gonna waste all of your precious time and life worrying and wishing things were different? Are you gonna take for granted the health and mobility you DO have? Or are you gonna allow yourself to LIVE?’ I felt a fire within me..and I was ready to let it rage.

I turned up my favorite tunes and had a solo dance party ( just like I recommended in this post). I forgot about every damn part of my body that wasn’t working properly and busted out all of the moves, from hip-hop to ballet. I channeled my inner MC Hammer. I flew through the air like Baryshnikov. I shook my hips like Shakira. I tapped my feet away like Gene Kelly. You name it, I was pulling it all out! It felt so incredible and cathartic to release the pent up energy in this way and say, ‘F*CK YOU, movement disorder! You ain’t gonna stop me from dancing. You ain’t gonna stop me from having a good time!’

Then, part-two happened a few days later – the dancing in the rain. I was struggling again and feeling trapped in my body and in my life. Fitting my somber mood, the weather outside took a turn and it started to rain. The storm got wild and a raging wind unleashed. I felt a deep desire to be a part of this unruly storm, but I refrained. I mean, who actually dances in the rain in real life? Only fools.

I had a flashback to my younger, more carefree days when life felt a bit more untamed. I finally leaned into my desire. I’ll be that fool. I blasted my music once again and started dancing in the rain. The wind was blowing fresh rain in my face and my hair was blowing around like a wild mustang. I probably looked like a nut job..but I felt ALIVE. I felt free of every shackle that had been holding me back from embracing this life. All of my worries disappeared in that moment. The energy was flowing and I felt the sparkle of liveliness return to me.

Through my dancing epiphany, I realized that no matter what sh*t I am going through in life, no matter what cards I have been dealt, I deserve to feel joy. I deserve to experience life. I deserve to have fun and feel wild and free. I have every reason to celebrate and I refuse to miss a beat.

You, my friend, deserve the same. Whether or not you are going through a particularly challenging period, I urge you to revisit a time in your life when you felt most carefree and high on life. Maybe you were a child, a teenager, or maybe it was just a week ago. Release that wild stallion within you and do something that carefree self would do..get wild, get messy, get silly, get passionate and reclaim that sparkle…that zest. And, of course, never miss an opportunity to dance in the rain.

Tame birds sing of freedom. Wild birds fly.