I went to a Salsa Dancing lesson this weekend. I was already primed from my Mojito night on Tuesday, Cinco de Mayo Wednesday, followed by Paella night on Thursday….it was a very Latin week for me, so Salsa just made sense, si?
Here’s what I noticed. All of the students were trying really hard. Extreme concentration was apparent on our faces as we counted steps to get the rhythm down. As beginners, nothing came easy. We weren’t into the flow of it, and felt a bit like fish out of water. No big deal, we told ourselves, we were beginners. No one expected us to know what we were doing, and we were having fun anyway.
Eventually some more experienced dancers showed up and I found that when they were my partners, my level was brought up…I felt a little more fluid and coordinated. When we switched partners, I was back to counting steps again—unsure of myself; not finding my rhythm.
And that’s when it hit me….Salsa dancing is just like life. Your level of comfort and ability depends on who you choose to ‘dance’ with. If you associate with people who are unsure or confused, you will probably feel that way too, and while misery loves company, it’s not the best way to grow. Choose your partners well…make sure their playing level brings you higher, and stretches you. If you find you are a bit stagnant…go find some new partners to play with and see how you feel about life; see how you feel about yourself; see just how much more into the rhythm of life you are.
“Everything is alive; everything is interconnected.”
~ Cicero
Do you ever sense how truly connected we are to one another? How our actions, however big or small, however positive or negative…in some way, impact others?
Check out this silly car dancing video and inspirational interview with the creators of the Levity Project. I promise you will move through the rest of your day with a smile on your face.
The Levity Project: Car Dancing Micro Movement
Hi! My name is Lance Ekum, and I write regularly over at the Jungle of Life. I have been working with Katie West and Ina Lukas, here at The Levity Project, in creating the first Levity Project Micro Movement.
Car Dancing: A celebration! People from around the world joining together. In their corner of the world…dancing! In cars. Down sidewalks. In homes. This video is their dance. It’s much more than that though. This video is our dance….for all who watch it. Celebrate! And let that dance in you, whatever it is, take new steps into what is possible!
What Does This All Really Mean?
Both Katie and Ina, from here at The Levity Project, played such important roles in taking this car dancing concept and envisioning what it could become. For me personally, I know that doing this became much more than just some little dance in the car at a stoplight on my way through a day.
So, what has this all meant to Katie and Ina? Read below, as I take a few minutes to ask them some of questions on the car dancing micro movement.
1. What were your expectations going into this car dancing micro-movement? Katie: My hope was to have fun and to spread the idea that by allowing ourselves to be seen having fun, we give others the permission to do the same. I also envisioned the video and thought about people watching it together and smiling the same way they do when they see someone dancing at a stoplight. My hope was that it would create a ripple effect of positivity that might fill in where moments of negativity had been in people’s lives.
Ina: I was hoping it would be fun and that people would have a great time celebrating their day. I was hoping that people would be inspired by it and get to experience other bystanders be inspired by them. But what happened as a result of it was far more profound than I ever imagined. What I did not realize is how far this would take people out of their comfort zone. Nor did I imagine the amount of inner change it would create for many of the participants.
2. On this journey over the last several weeks, what have you personally experienced from your own moments of car dancing? Katie: The idea for this micro movement came a while ago when I was dancing at a stop light. Usually, I stopped dancing when a car pulled up next to me, but that day the music was so great and I was feeling so happy, I kept dancing. After a moment or two, I realized that the two guys in the car next to me were not only watching me but dancing heartily along. As we drove away, they gave me a thumbs up. It was so touching and made me feel unexpectedly connected to the world around me.
What happened after launching the idea of The Levity Project’s Car Dancing Micro-Movement was that I started doing it more intentionally every time I was at a stoplight. It felt like inviting people to a party that they really wanted to go to but were nervous to be the first ones to arrive. It felt great to be the one kicking off a party at each intersection.
Ina: What I’ve found by being freer in my dance, is that it breaks down the walls between people. We live in a car society where everyone is cruising around in their own worlds, disconnected from everyone else. When you share the joy that comes out of you when you dance, you break through the barrier of the car shell, and you touch someone or make them smile and bring a human connection to their day.
The other day I was stopped at a red light next to a guy who had a little dog in his lap that was looking through the window at us. Because of my new found courage and dropping of my walls, I rolled down both windows on his side, he rolled down his, and for a long two minute red light, my kids and I had a delightful conversation with the guy and oohed and aaahhed over his dog. My kids were thrilled. He was shining from ear to ear, and then we drove off to the rest of our days. I will never forget that moment, and it never would have happened had I not taken part in this event.
3. What feelings come up for you as you have watched the video’s that have been shared by others? Katie: As I watch it, what stands out to me is this great feeling of interconnectedness. And with that, I feel hope. In a world where we are interconnected, no one is falling through the cracks. We are there for each other. We are aware that we are all a part of the same web so if one of us is not shining, the integrity of our whole web is compromised. And in this way, it benefits us all to look out for others. Watching this video makes me feel that this interconnectedness is possible on a global level. This makes me feel a great sense of light-heartedness.
Ina: The first video that came in from Canada sent goosebumps up my neck. It was that moment of, “Oh my goodness! People are actually doing this! And, look, they’re really happy!” It was totally exhilarating. Instantly I felt the sense of knowing that it’s our own inner happiness, collectively celebrated, that has the ability to create a global shift. The key for me was in celebrating it with purpose, knowing that all of these other people were out there dancing in their day together. It made me realize the potential power that creating this concept of a Micro-Movement can have on global scale. When you take away the time and location barriers, any person any where in the world can take action as an agent of social change, and be banded together with the rest of The Levity Project Players as one movement immersed in the power and importance of fun.
I love to be inspired, and each person that took part in this was an inspiration to me. I was moved by each video because almost everyone that did this stepped out of their comfort zone. For some people it was WAY out of their comfort zone. But as you can see by everyone’s happiness in the video, they all received some sense of freedom from doing it. That’s the miracle that always happens on the other side of your block. When you let go of fear and go for it, magic happens that wouldn’t have happened if you didn’t take action with that small leap of faith.
4. You step out your front door tomorrow morning. What’s different, because you have “car danced” in public? (i.e. what’s the lasting effect from doing this) Katie: There is this small feeling of “I can do that”. By “car dancing”, which can feel like a step outside our comfort zone, there is a new feeling that maybe there are other things one can try in our life. And the comfort zone becomes wider and wider and so does our life.
And I believe that a sense of contribution comes from it. Once you see someone’s face light up because they see you car dancing and expressing that levity, it is so evident that you are the one who created that change for that person at the stoplight or wherever we are. And as the observer drives off, they might have a smile on their face or be laughing. Who knows what happens next? In a better mood, do they call someone they have been thinking about and share a laugh with them? Did an argument just end in the car next to you because they started laughing and even dancing with you? What ripple effects just happened in the world, because one of us was willing to boldly express the joy we have within?
Ina: For me, so much has changed because of this. When I step out my door in the morning, I am far more aware of the potential for creating celebration in each moment. At the times when I am driving, spaced out on autopilot, lost in some looping thought of what I have to do, or what’s going on in my life, past or future, it suddenly hits me that, ”Oh, wait! I’m alive right now in this moment and why am I not dancing?” and I crank the tunes and dance. And I do it boldly (especially at four way stops).
It’s made me more present to the present moment, realizing that we all have our things we do on autopilot… driving to work, picking up the kids, and we often just lose ourselves in mundane thoughts in those moments. But when you think of how you could have that same ride to work, and instead of just worrying about how you’re going to pay your bills, you can make someone else smile or brighten their day. You’ve just created a totally different journey for yourself. Same commute, but now you’re an agent of social change at the wheel. Maybe that person didn’t know how they were going to pay their bills either, but they saw you dancing and they saw you in your freedom and in that moment, they felt relief. Or even happiness. Or even the feeling that everything was going to be OK. THAT is powerful stuff! I am embracing those moments now and my life is becoming more deliciously rich (and fun!) because of it.
Lance’s Commentary: You have both touched upon that “something deeper” that draws upon the voice of our soul…that dance that is within each of us. Perhaps it’s not “car dancing” for everyone. It’s there, though, within all of us…that something which brings that deeper sense of bliss. And when we are reaching that spot within us, we DO change the world around us – in amazing and beautiful ways!
I wonder if I was born an entrepreneur. Maybe I just learned, at an early age, that it was more fun to have money than not to have money.
My earliest recollection of my ability to earn money was at age 6, when I sold flowers which I took out of the nearby Lutheran Church garbage bin.
Faithfully on Mondays, the church secretary would put the flowers in the bin; and faithfully after school (first grade), I would take the flowers out, tear out the bad spots and sell them. I would go along the neighborhood streets, door-to-door, peddling my flowers minus the bad spots. I was successful at it. People would give me coins for my little bunches of flowers tied by a red string and when I would get to my last bouquet, I’d knock on the door of the home where the Catholic nuns lived. A very warm and loving sister would give me a small picture of Jesus, in lieu of coins, for my flowers. I did this every Monday like clockwork.
Later on, after selling all of my flowers I took my accumulated pictures of Jesus and gave them to some to the old folks at the nursing home next door to the church.
Somehow, at an early age, I had an “eye” for what could be special to someone else for which I could be paid. I must also have been undaunted, creative, imaginative and have had a measure of freedom from my parents. I am certain, though, that I tremendously enjoyed this. I made special friends.
Whenever the carnival would come to town, I’d go to the “penny pitch” and return home with enough ash trays, glasses, bowls and plates to set up shop. With my card table placed in front of the house, right alongside the sidewalk, I’d sell my wares for ten cents each. I made a profit and I always sold out!
Then I really got into business with my lemonade stand, which I would faithfully set up every Saturday morning and keep it up until 2p.m. At age 6, I was selling lemonade at five cents a glass. I remember making my table beautiful with a tablecloth (I also ironed at a young age) with the finishing touch of red and orange geraniums in a green Coke bottle.
Kids came, so did heir mothers. Even the scary old woman who lived in the proverbial darkened mysterious house down the street sent a note, via the passing mailman, that she wanted me to bring her a cup of lemonade. So I did and for my efforts she gave me twice the amount – 10 cents. That was an interesting lesson: I learned about going that “extra mile”.
I then expanded to include red Kool-Aid for 3 cents a glass because it was cheaper to make and I cheated a little on the sugar. The old woman gave me a 20 pound bag of sugar she no longer used and people liked my Kool-Aid. Later when lemons got costly, I added different flavors of Kool-Aid, even putting some dry Kool-Aid powder in small envelopes for 2 cents. Kids could buy it, pour it out onto their hands and lick the dry and sour powder. As summer came on I included frozen Kool-Aid ice cubes for one penny each. By then I was 8 years of age.
Some days were filled with many trips to the house to get more cold ice water of Kool-Aid ice cubes; other days I went to and from the house because I drank more than I sold! I stayed with this venture for three summers and most Saturdays during school.
I must confess, though, that my Mom put a halt to my entrepreneurial spirit when I charged 5 cents for neighbor kids to wiggle the stiff body of my dead cat Rusty who was on the porch in a box waiting to be picked up by the Humane society!
As I look back, I was in Lemonade Stand Training School, for I learned some lessons that are with me still. I learned:
I, independently, could make something happen.
I had earning power.
To use and sell products that I loved.
I could sell things for money or by trading.
How to negotiate (negotiate means that both partied are satisfied with the deal).
How to be generous. (I would give someone a whole glass of lemonade so they could taste it. Most people would, in turn, buy more. I also gave many free glasses to my buddies.)
To be consistent.
To have completed transactions.
The idea that I learned from my friend Leonard Orr-to have many sources of income-is a smart one and can liberate you from the dependency created by one source of income and the tremendous fear of having it taken away. It can be easy when you relax your mind, become inventive, move from the idea of “selling” to “offering” and let go of attachment to “making the deal”. You can be employed full-time and get involved with products or trade and “do it on the side”.
YOU CAN SELL IDEAS. HSU and CR (local colleges) sell ideas. If you have ever paid tuition, you have purchased ideas. You can sell ideas by giving a class, workshop, a seminar. You can be a consultant if you have something to advise or teach.
YOU CAN SELL PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. There are Avon ladies and Mary Kay consultants; vendors at the Farmer’s Market and North Country Faire; there are sidewalk sales and yard sales and garage sales; there are parties to show beautiful and unusual baskets, Tupperware and intimate apparel; there are Sunrider and Blue Green Algae to take for inner health and cleansing; there’s Toby across from Arcata City Hall selling flowers; and Don in the Arcata Plaza selling hot dogs and sausages.
He is a great entrepreneur. He expanded his business as he saw what people wanted: coffee, tea, hot chocolate and tofu hot dogs. He will even give you a shoe shine! There is no end to what can be available for you. Just select a service or product for which someone will be willing to pay you.
The workplace in 21st century will be a different configuration than we’ve known in the past. Our mentality of largeness seems to be turning around to more simple form. Did you know that home-based business comprises more than 50% of all new businesses in the U.S. and 75% of the new businesses in Canada? The rise in mail-order catalogues and multilevel marketing of products is testimony that people want to buy either at home or in a more personal manner.
The workplace in 21st century is also going to be one of the multi-careers and simultaneous careers. If you are able to change with the changes this can be an exciting time in making money to take care of your needs. Leonard Orr says that: we should stay with a career or product for at least 5 years or until we have become successful with that career or product so that we create patterns of success rather than failure.
So, I’ve created what I will call the “Lemonade Stand Theory” as a way to expand your income. If you think about it you have probably done it. For fun, jot down all of the jobs that you have ever had- all of the things you have ever sold. Then write down all of the things you have done without pay but that you could be paid for. You may be reminded of your capabilities and experience.
Naturally, you must have the “glue” that holds it all together. I think that is made up of personal energy, inspiration, self-esteem and the willingness to show up or have you or your product out where people will know about it, where they live or shop or hang out. Display it or have it available, or you be available and don’t take yourself too seriously.
Susan Yashoda Deschenes teaches classes in clientele building and in relaxation. She lives in Arcata and drinks lemonade to this day.
A great friend of mine (Dennis Gaskill) recently shared his latest video with me. It is a quick reflection on being yourself in a world that is constantly trying to tell you who to be.
You can find out more about Boogie Jack and his wonderful resources by going to his website: http://BoogieJack.com.
You can also listen to an interview I did with him several years ago where he describes his own success in the Internet world by going here….