“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

When it feels like the walls are closing in on you and the stress is threatening to take you down…. stop.  Press the pause button.  You need  to take a moment, an hour, maybe even a whole  afternoon – to do something that will make you smile, grin… or even throw your head back  with uninhibited laughter.

My recommendation: Dance.

Why not?

Dance by yourself (don’t feel self-conscious, nobody is watching!) or grab a partner and twirl around, waltz, or – if you know how – tango!

Here, in steamy South Florida, we enjoy daily (afternoon) tropical downpours and I love to go out and dance about  the yard. Lifting my face up to the sky, I welcome the rain as it washes away all the stresses and annoyances that had been niggling away at me.  I feel rejuvenated, refreshed and ready to take on any challenge that may cross my path. I look up at the window and there is my husband and black Lab, both staring at me as if I had just escaped an insane asylum.  I wave at them to join me, but my dog ducks away from the window as soon as the first loud peal of thunder shakes our rooftop.  My husband makes a crazy sign gesture, directed at me, and disappears from sight.  I shrug and continue my rain dance, choosing not to pay attention to the fluttering of curtains in several neighbors’ windows.  Completely soaked through, I finally pad my way up the stairs and go inside to dry up.  My dog greets me with a sniff and a lick. My husband stands beside him, a bath towel in his hand. He wraps it around me, and gives me a hug. 

All is right with the world.

Image via sheranescloset.com.