Life means sometimes being the first one out on the dance floor experiencing the music

A year ago, I wrote about Alan Watts, a British philosopher, writer and speaker who said, “Life is not a journey!”

Watts goes on to explain that life is much more analogous to a dance than to a journey. A journey is destination-oriented, and it becomes a linear path to some end. Whereas a dance ebbs and flows, has highs and lows, and goes through different phases.

Did you watch Dick Clark’s "American Bandstand" growing up? It aired regularly from 1956 to 1989. What great memories. Think of it: for 33 years we got to watch young people dance. We learned a few moves, too.

Dick Clark’s first dance craze was the twist, introduced on the show by Chubby Checkers in 1960. Clark would introduce a new artist or new song and play it for the young dance participants, and then he would have them rate the song. They would rate the number from 1-10. How often I remember them saying something like, “I’ll give it a 10 for the beat, but only a five for lyrics.”

That meant, most importantly, it was good for dancing. I’ve always listened to the dance rhythm more than the lyrics — and that can get you in trouble!

Perhaps that is why I’m so attracted to the idea of life as a dance. Sometimes life can be slow, and at other times, it’s spinning out of control.

At times, everyone is doing the same line dance, and there is complete congruence with everyone around you. At other times, you’re on your own. How many times have you been the first to walk out on the dance floor when no one else was out there? The awkwardness keeps the timid seated, but when the beat moves you, you have to take a chance at looking a little foolish.

One of the greatest things about aging is the freedom to be the first out on the floor. How many areas of life does that apply to? As we age, we are set free from so many concerns about what people think. Who cares who’s watching or judging? Get over that.

The concept of life as a journey seems to diminish the possibility of spontaneity — especially if you think that the journey has a steady downward trajectory to the end. Dancing sounds like an adventure; at least there is more energy and creativity.

What’s the beat? What direction are we headed? Is it fast or slow? Is this a new song or a golden oldie?

The image of life as a dance is livelier and filled with potential for change. Maybe one of the most important attitudes that leads to successful aging is that life is full of change, and we can stay open and stop resisting it.

When we find ourselves caught up in the twist, just wait — the waltz is around the corner.

Find Connie’s book, “Daily Cures: Wisdom for Healthy Aging,” at www.justnowoldenough.com. 

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Aging can give one the freedom to be first out on the dance floor