All of us, if we have lived long enough, have those moments when we feel overwhelmed by a wave of suffering. It can show in many different ways, and does for most of us.
Perhaps it is a relationship break-up, losing our source of support, an unexpected health challenge, a death in the family or losing our home. Perhaps we are simply a witness to the suffering of a close loved one, and powerless to do anything about it.
When this happens it can throw us for a loop, sometimes causing us to veer off our path. But when we face such a challenge can we stand tall and fearless?
It takes a special person to do that–someone with a true sense of their own inner power and resolve.
At times of great challenge music has been one of my sources of inspiration. “I Hope You Dance,” a song popularized by Lee Ann Womack, is full of wonderful messages, reminding us that life is worthwhile, that we should never lose our sense of wonder, that we should “never settle for the path of least resistance.”
After all, life was never meant to be a painless experience. Make your life special and meaningful, despite what happens to you, and in your determined resolve you will find the gold nugget of your soul’s joy.
[Below you will find the complete lyrics of this wonderful song:
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty-handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance (dance)
I hope you dance (dance)
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin’ might mean takin’ chances, but they’re worth takin’
Lovin’ might be a mistake, but it’s worth makin’
Don’t let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin’ out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance (time is a wheel in constant motion)
I hope you dance (always rolling us along)
I hope you dance (tell me who wants to look back on their years)
I hope you dance (and wonder where those years have gone)
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance, I hope you dance (dance)
I hope you dance (time is a wheel in constant motion)
I hope you dance (always rolling us along)
I hope you dance (tell me who wants to look back on their years)
I hope you dance (and wonder where those years have gone)
Tell me who wants to look back on their years (dance)
And wonder where those years have gone (dance)”
[I Hope You Dance lyrics © Universal Music Corp., Sony/atv Melody, Choice Is Tragic Music, Soda Creek Songs, Round Hill Verses Publishing]
