Weekly Newsletter: Dance

When I finally left the church of my youth, I did some of the things the church banned. One in particular was dancing. I took lessons in ballroom dancing and country-line dancing. I loved it and couldn’t understand why the church had legislated against it.

Dancing is healthy. It elevates our heart rates and keeps us physically fit. It also lightens our mood and provides us with energy. Dancing brings joy into our lives and makes us feel young. The church’s restrictions had to do with the sexual level of arousal involved in some forms of dancing — according to their impressions — and so they banned all forms.

Since then I’ve learned a middle way. Nearly anything can be perverted, but nearly anything can be used for our good. What we choose is what matters. We can enjoy the benefits of dancing without going overboard. We can enjoy eating without becoming gluttonous. But, when these activities are micromanaged by a religion, a parent, or society, our natural response is to rebel.
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Religious Recovery encourages us to partake of life and make wise decisions. Dancing can be a healthy decision. If you’re not in a place at this moment where you can stop what you’re doing and dance, then simply take a few seconds, recall some music, and in your mind allow your feet, hands, and body to flow with the sounds of life.