Dance Like No One Is Watching!

"Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's heaven on Earth."
— Mark Twain

Isn’t that a great quote? I love inspirational quotes and saying. This one and others like it are everywhere. They’re on posters, key chains, even online. The number of inspirational quotes on twitter alone is shocking.

I think they’re great. We need them. They remind us that life isn’t about the day to day grind. It’s about enjoying every moment and living life to the fullest. They teach us to be grateful for what we have.

Here’s the thing…

Have you ever actually danced like no one is watching? Or sang like no one is listening? Are you living life to the fullest or are you caught in the daily grind?

The truth is that most of us are faking it. We want to be positive and appreciate what we have, but that day to day grind tends to get in the way.

You know what I mean. Maybe that other company just got the account you were supposed to get or your kids are acting up in school.

There’s always something.

Sometimes it’s just really hard to be positive. I figured out how to do it though. When you’re down and feeling lower than low, you have to actually do it. Yes, that’s right, dance like no one is watching or sing like no one is listening.

It works. You can’t be in a bad mood when you’re acting silly. Let’s face it, if you’re dancing or singing like no one is watching; you’re acting silly. Trust me, I’ve done it.

I learned a few things along the way and want to share them with you. Here’s the list:

1. To really put yourself in a good mood, you have to sing or dance in public. Doing it in the kitchen is okay, but it’s more fun to see other people’s reactions.

2. Your dog will dance and sing with you. If you decide to do it with the dog around, get it on tape and send it in to America’s funniest home videos. You will probably win.

3. Adult strangers won’t say anything to you. Most of the time they pretend they don’t see you, but sometimes you catch them smiling and nodding.

4. I guarantee people are talking about you when they get home… and not in a bad way.

5. Adult strangers will stare out of the corner of their eye. If you catch someone doing it, speak to them and they start to have fun with you. They can’t really help themselves.

6. Kids that don’t know you will actually point and stare, but if you invite them to join in, they will. Sometimes their parents will too. One time, we had a whole group of us dancing in the aisles in Wal-Mart. Again, get it on tape! I wish I had.

7. Even though adult strangers won’t necessarily say anything to you, if you see them later they will strike up a conversation with you. You’ve become approachable.

8. To be truly effective, you have to do it someplace you wouldn’t normally do it. For instance, if you don’t dance at all, a dance club is fine. However, if you love to dance at the club, try it someplace else… like Wal-Mart.

9. Dancing in public is so much fun; I try to do it at least once a week.

If you don’t believe me, try it for yourself. The next time you read an inspirational saying, instead of thinking that’s nice and going on with your life; try living what it says. Put the words into action. Your results will surprise you.