Sometimes we just need to dance.
Move our bodies. Play with the music that inspires us, makes us laugh, makes us feel alive.
Because it’s good to be alive.
Sometimes I forget that.
Last April, a little over a year ago, I was diagnosed with metastatic lung, liver, and brain cancer. I’ve had brain surgery since then and several rounds of radiation. Each one beats up my body.
The last round of radiation was the worst.
My whole body aches sometimes. I am exhausted and super-sensitive to heat and cold. I have a hard time using the bathroom sometimes. I sometimes have insomnia, which never used to happen. I am easily fatigued.
When I was younger, I used to hike 14’ers. Those are 14,000+ foot mountains. I hiked in Colorado and one of the mountains I hiked was Long’s Peak, which is rated as one of the toughest by the Sierra Club for unassisted climbs.
I was not a weak person.
Now, I use a rollater when I walk my dog. I use a cane in the house sometimes because my balance is so bad.
But, you know what I did yesterday?
I was listening to music, and it was so happy, that I got up and danced.
Yes, I danced with my cane.
And it felt fabulous.
Just because I’m in pain — doesn’t mean I can’t dance.
Just because I have rough days — doesn’t mean I can’t dance.
I can dance.
And as long as I keep dancing, I can live.
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This post was previously published on Shefali O’Hara’s blog.
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You may also like these posts on The Good Men Project:
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Photo credit: iStock