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Dance Like There’s Nobody Watching

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iScriblr_mondayMotivation

Hey Everyone! Hope y’all are doing wonderful?

As I was gallivanting around, whiling my time away “socially” this weekend, I came across (on a fridge magnet) a wonderfully simple, yet profound quote –

“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching,
Love like you’ll never be hurt,
Sing like there’s nobody listening,
And live like it’s heaven on earth.”
― William W. Purkey

These wise words really got me into thinking – as to how and why we do not LIVE our lives the way it IS “designed” to be – Carefree and cheerful? Free and effervescent?
Instead what we do is – constraint all our desires, curb each need and ban ourselves of happiness and pleasure for the sake of “fitting-in!” *ugly truth*
How often do we find ourselves doing things just because we have to and not because we want to? How often have we worn a “mask” awaiting approval of our family, friends, colleagues or even the neighbor next door? Well, it happens with everyone (reasons ranging from peer pressure, job raise to partner/spouse influence) and it is something that we HAVE to break out of, consciously. Because, all we’ve got is THIS life! One LIFE!

Confession Time – This quote reminded me of my old self – constantly inhibited, and forever embarrassed. Yes, there have been times (in the past), when just to “fit-in” or be “socially acceptable” I have done things that I am not proud of today. Sadly, I was so obsessed with creating a mask befitting people, that I could no longer recognize myself in the mirror. *shrugs*
Determined to break free of this “self-destructive” behavior and to create my own “niche”, it was time for me to pause and reflect; and to STOP killing my dreams for the sake of others. I did what I had to do and I started living my life on my own terms. *thank Heavens*

Here’s how you too can get your FREEDOM back and DANCE away the way that you want to –

1 START TRUSTING YOURSELF

It’s time to stop seeking for approval and permission to be who you are and live the way you want. You need to start trusting yourself and doing exactly what and how you feel and not how you think is expected of you. Trust your instincts and intuition because most of the times, they are almost always right.

2 CELEBRATE YOUR TRUE SELF

You self-worth is in your hands! Believing that YOU are in control and what matters is your undying faith in yourself and your actions – is the key to your happiness and contentment. This means that your happiness is independent of what another person thinks. When you make the decision to not let other people have the power to say who you are or who you should become, you open the door to be able to do things according to your own beliefs and principles. Someones’s perception of you does not (and should not) define you!

3 IT IS OK TO BE DIFFERENT

Cherish your uniqueness! We don’t all need to fit into the same mold. You have your own set of characteristics, skills, dreams and goals that makes you different from anyone else. Embrace them and don’t be embarrassed by who you are. It is about believing in your own self and remembering that you are capable and worthy – just as much as anyone else, regardless of what you’ve achieved, regardless of what mistakes you’ve made! There will be haters, there will be complainers, NONE of that matters! Be YOU!

4 CALM YOUR INNER CRITIC

It’s time that you finally stopped beating yourself up over everything you say or do. Try countering your negative thoughts with positive ones. Believe in yourself! By working on replacing negative self-talk with more positive self-talk, you’re more likely to feel in control of stuff that’s going on in your life and to achieve your goals. Love yourself enough to stand up for it. You need to celebrate yourself (and often!) because you need to stop being your own worst critic and start being your biggest fan.

“A rainbow is not afraid of showing its true colors because it knows it is beautiful inside out.” 
― Matshona Dhliwayo

Life has insightful lessons to teach – learn them your way, at your own pace. Embrace your individuality. Your job isn’t to be understood or to impress others. It’s to be at peace with God and treat others as yourself, regardless of what they think of you. Let your unique light shine out from within and DARE TO BE DIFFERENT! It’s time that the World sees your “true colors” – the colors of self-love, self-confidence, self-esteem and inner strength. Walk your own path and don’t compromise your beliefs for anyone. Take the first step and never turn back!

“Dance. Smile. Giggle. Marvel. TRUST. HOPE. LOVE. WISH. BELIEVE. Most of all, enjoy every moment of the journey, and appreciate where you are at this moment instead of always focusing on how far you have to go.” 
― Mandy Hale

It’s never too late to live a free life – one that’s finally about YOU!

Love,

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93 Comments

  5. Beautiful post! I can relate, my old self is very different from my present self and I’m eternally grateful for opportunity life has given me to be the true me!

    Reply

    1. Life is a continuous process and I am so glad that you could break free from the regularities and be yourself!❤️

      Thanks for reading!😊

      Reply

  11. great post Richa, and great topic.That is big question, how often we are doing things just for us.We are going to work,in the school, because we have to.In that answer is the key of our happiness !

    Reply

  12. Very empowering, I love that quote! 🙂

    I too have worked on accepting myself and owning being comfortable in my own skin. It took me a long time to not let other’s thoughts on who I should be affect (granted sometimes it’s still a work in progress). However, you’re right we should totally do more of what we love to do, the things that light us up and make us happy!

    Reply

    1. I agree, it is a continuous process, where you are (getting) better than your last version, each day! I am so glad that you got your spark back!❤️

      Thanks for stopping by!😊

      Reply

    1. Oh I did, initially I surely did! But eventually I had to stop myself from being a “rag doll” and start living my life at my own terms! 😉

      Thank you so much for stopping by!❤️

      Reply

  27. To hell with fitting in “ain’t nobody got time for that”
    Oh yes by all means let’s all be free to live our lives without the constant fear of being judged by others

    Ps- I think I need to try the dance thing i’ve always wanted to do the worm but there’s always a thought in the bak of my mind like ” Yo what are people gonna say”

    Reply

  33. Obviously, this post resonates with many, Richa. Once you get to a certain age ( 🙂 ) it doesn’t matter as much what others think, you do and say what you feel. If only we could do this when we’re younger!

    Reply
  36. Pingback: Dance Like There’s Nobody Watching – iScriblr | The Reluctant Poet

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