• Home
  • About
  • Around
  • Contributors
  • Applause

Daily Plate of Crazy

  • Relationships
    • Dating
    • Love
    • Marriage
    • Divorce
    • Life After Divorce
  • Parenting
    • Advice
    • Babies and Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • College Kids
    • Single Moms
    • Older Moms
    • Dads
    • Family Dynamics
    • Money Matters
    • Work-Life
  • Health
  • Sex
  • Women’s Issues
  • Fashion & Style
    • Chaussures
    • Fashion
    • Style
    • Lingerie
    • Interiors
  • Culture
  • More
    • Art Art Art
    • Business
    • En Français
    • Entertainment
      • Mad Men
      • Mad Men Reviews
      • Real Housewives
      • Movies
      • Celebrities
      • Work of Art Reviews
    • Flash
    • Food & Recipes
    • Lifestyle
    • Morning Musing
    • Starting Over
    • Technology
    • Travel
    • Women and Money
You are here: Home / Morning Musing / Dance While You Can

Dance While You Can

January 15, 2011 by D. A. Wolf 12 Comments

At night, for more than a week, I heard their sounds outside. Laughter mostly. Music occasionally. Fortunately, they have always been considerate about keeping the decibel level down for the old folks in the neighborhood. You know. Those of us over the age of 20.

And they were content, sitting around the fire pit, often in freezing temperatures, catching up and joking around. Making merry of every last possible moment of Winter Break.

Kids having fun

I have always loved listening to my kids enjoy themselves – when the sounds they made were high-pitched and squealing, when their 13-year old voices were in the process of cracking, and now, their laughter in a different register entirely. Frankly, they sound like men.

There is the energy of their banter with friends they’ve known all their lives, friends who are like family to them, friends who are always welcome in our home.

My older son had time to unwind. I wish my younger had caught more of a break, but it is what it is. And there was that New Year’s party through the night, as I recall – along with a night of making mischief in the snow. This weekend, my younger son is kicking up his heels, finally, and he’s certainly earned it.

Advice from the other side of 40

About a week ago, I asked for assistance from my first-born. My laptop has been sluggish and choking ever since installing new software, and I was grateful to have my kid pouring diligently through programs and options as he diagnosed issues and dealt with them.

I watched  him. I listened as he explained what he was doing. I tried to absorb what he was teaching me.

I took in his concentration. I measured his ease. I observed the young man he is becoming. I didn’t feel old exactly, only older – and very tired. Then the words just slipped out. Perhaps sadly. Perhaps only simply:

Dance while you can. Don’t put it off.

He looked up at me, hesitated, then said “okay” and returned to his task. I don’t know if my words stuck, or if he understood the layers of meaning. As parents, do we never know what words or actions make the impression we intend?

Living life fully

How often do we put off what gives us pleasure? What about our restrictive inner dialog, constantly running the refrain “I can’t until” which is followed by some future accomplishment?

I can’t until the kids are in pre-school. I can’t until I have more money saved. I can’t until I get that new job. I can’t until I’ve lost 15 pounds. I can’t, I can’t, I can’t.

We reach a point when we really “can’t.” What about all those false barriers to “can” that close down our lives bit by bit, sometimes for years?

Perspective

On the days when I’m tired from thinking and tired from writing and tired from listening intently, on the mornings when the alarm interrupts the weightless free fall of my dreaming, on the nights when I wonder if I will ever kick the fatigue out of my system, I realize that even if the answer is no, then so be it. I will carry on with everything – to the best of my ability.

I came to parenting late. I lived my share of adventures prior to marriage. I will not say I have no regrets, but I have relatively few.

And in the meantime, I hope my sons have paid attention to my stories, and will heed my advice – knowing that I danced when I could, and didn’t put it off.



© D A Wolf

Share/Save/Bookmark

Big Little Wolf’s Daily Plate of Crazy

FacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmail

Filed Under: Morning Musing, Other Stuff, Parenting Tagged With: avoidance, daily plate of crazy, living fully, parenting teens, Single Parenting, whatever life dishes out

Comments

  1. deja pseu says

    January 15, 2011 at 10:12 am

    So very true! Time slips by so quickly. I’ve come to believe that what makes a moment special, and something that we remember is whether we were *in* it, really in it, just turning off our minds and enjoying the Present.

    Reply
    • BigLittleWolf says

      January 15, 2011 at 1:21 pm

      Ah, the “turning off our minds” thing. (*Wistful smile, and wondering if you have any tips.*) I’m still searching for a way to do that! It was so much easier before kids – but yes – you are so right. Time slips by so quickly.

      Reply
  2. Carol says

    January 15, 2011 at 1:15 pm

    I took some time to dance when I was still working, but now that we’ve retired, my focus is on what I want to do. Much more time is devoted to the “wants” than to the “musts”. It’s heaven.

    Reply
    • BigLittleWolf says

      January 15, 2011 at 1:22 pm

      Sounds lovely, Carol!

      Reply
  3. Aidan Donnelley Rowley @ Ivy League Insecurities says

    January 16, 2011 at 9:02 am

    Oh, what an important lesson. We should all dance – and laugh and be silly and dream – while we can. You are right in that we are all planners, wedded to prudence that shackles us too often – waiting for the stars to align, and the steps to be taken, until we can revel, and do the things we want and love. We cannot live this way and we cannot let our kids live this way either. Thank you for the reminder.

    Reply
    • BigLittleWolf says

      January 16, 2011 at 9:34 am

      Yes! We are often too careful, too predictable, too tied to our calendars and our plans.

      I know you dance with your girls. 🙂 Literally and figuratively. And it’s wonderful!

      Reply
  4. Shelley says

    January 16, 2011 at 11:29 am

    I found myself telling my 20-something step daughters to wear the silly fashions now while they could still get away with it. I feel foolish in a lot of things even though I love the way they look. I find myself wishing I’d dressed less for success and more for fun.

    Reply
    • BigLittleWolf says

      January 16, 2011 at 12:02 pm

      Isn’t it fun seeing our kids enjoying wild dress? (The world has become so serious. So have we – the parents. I agree we need to encourage them to be playful when they can!)

      Thanks so much for stopping by to comment, and welcome.

      Reply
  5. LisaF says

    January 17, 2011 at 4:37 pm

    Oh, how youth is wasted on the young. I, too, like to listen to the banter of the younger set and smile quietly. If I had it to do over, I’d make more time to dance like no one was watching.

    Reply
  6. Rudri says

    January 18, 2011 at 11:36 pm

    Well said BLW. In between all of those “I have to do this” moments we should dance. I am reminded of this everyday from my five year old daughter. She dances and sings all the time. I could probably use a little more of that in my own life.

    Reply
    • BigLittleWolf says

      January 18, 2011 at 11:38 pm

      And you’ve had a very close call to remind you. I wish for you and your family many many more glorious moments of dancing.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Tweets that mention Dance While You Can | Big Little Wolf's Daily Plate of Crazy -- Topsy.com says:
    January 15, 2011 at 9:58 am

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by SimplyForties. SimplyForties said: RT @BigLittleWolf: Don't teach your children the habit of regret. http://fb.me/NRtptu0C […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Follow Us

FacebooktwitterrssinstagramFacebooktwitterrssinstagram

Search Daily Plate of Crazy

Subscribe for Your Daily Serving

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Categories

Archives

Recent Comments

  • Anonymous on Does Effort Matter If You Don’t Get Results?
  • D. A. Wolf on Mantras
  • D. A. Wolf on Over 50, Unemployed, Depressed and Powerless
  • Marty on When You Marry a Loner
  • Tina on Would You Brag About Your Age?
  • Sal on Over 50, Unemployed, Depressed and Powerless
  • Open More Doors If You Want More Skills - 3 Plus International on Open More Doors If You Want More Skills
  • Leonora C on Over 50, Unemployed, Depressed and Powerless
  • Maree on Mantras
  • kate on DON’T Call Me Dear!
  • Stephanie on Narcissism. Manipulation. Keeping Score.
  • S on When a Couple Wants Different Things

The Makeover Series

Daily Plate of Crazy: The Makeover Series

Essays From Guest Writers

Daily Plate of Crazy: Essay Series

Daily Reads

Daily Plate of Crazy Blogroll

Follow

Follow

Notices

All content on this site, DailyPlateOfCrazy.com, is copyrighted by D. A. Wolf unless copyright is otherwise attributed to guest writers. Do not use, borrow, repost or create derivative works without permission.

© D. A. Wolf 2009-2025. All Rights Reserved.

Parlez-vous francais?

Daily Plate of Crazy: En Français

© D. A. Wolf 2009-2025
All Rights Reserved

Daily Plate of Crazy ™

Privacy Notice

Popular This Month

  • 50 Years old and Starting Over
  • Best Places to Live When You're Over 50 and Reinventing
  • When the Person You Love Is Emotionally Unavailable
  • When a Couple Wants Different Things
  • How to Comfort Someone Who Is Stressed

Food for Thought

  • Why I Choose to Think Like a Man
  • When You Marry a Loner
  • Emotionally Needy Parents
  • Sex vs. Lovemaking: Why Are We So Confused?
  • Think Looks Don't Pay?
  • Rebranding Mediocrity: Why Good Enough Isn't Good Enough

Copyright © 2025 · Metro Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

This site uses cookies for the best browsing experience. By continuing to use this site, you accept our Cookie Policy.
Cookie SettingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT