Shall We Dance?

Dancing is about the only way I take pleasure in physical exertion. I took dance lessons all through childhood. As a teenager, no day was more exciting than the day of a school dance (though this was more about the boy-girl social interaction than the sweet moves). In college I let loose and got crazy on the dance floor. As an adult, being not really the clubbing type, I rarely get the opportunity to let the music take over my body.
A friend introduced me to contra dancing a couple of years ago. In some areas its very popular with young granola types, but here in Philadelphia, it draws some of the oddest people you'll ever meet with a median age of about 45. Despite the freaky crowd, it is wicked fun in my opinion; full of twirling and spinning and unashamed enjoyment! I took Shay and three of my 13-year-old former students this week and we had a blast. The regular dancers are always thrilled to share their enthusiasm with newcomers and everybody had a word of advice or encouragement for my girls. They are all excited to go back. One smiling and extremely sweaty fellow told me I must keep up the dancing and gave me leads on where to dance in California.
If I am feeling self conscious and thinking that there is a right and a wrong way to live, then dancing the night away with sweat-drenched, elderly folks is probably on the don't list. But when I'm just living and being me, I can't ask for more than a room filled with live music and unadulterated joy!