Whatever Happens – Wanna Be There!

“Whatever happens, wanna be there”
Those words were passed along to me by my Friend Dennis, and were originally said by Jay Leno to a nervous 1st-time guest. Dennis and I both feel this is a great mantra, and can be used in so many ways, in so many circumstances.

In fact, last night I used it, and found something magical.

I went to an Irish Pub because I have been SO missing the music and the dance and the FEELING that I had from years ago. There was a live band playing – my reason for going to that pub on that night, and what better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than to love me enough to feel bliss. 

Alas, I have been spoiled by Phoenix Irish culture – which is prominent and amazing in its quality. This particular band was at a severe disadvantage from my comparisons.
The mix was not up to par, and the band of two seemed amateurish.
And I knew this was all in my Head – my Judgment of Then v Now, and recreating a feeling doesn’t work so well.
CREATING a feeling does, though, so I reviewed what was happening.
And realized that these people are on stage, doing something they love doing. That much was obvious.
The crowd was loving it too.

Here sit I, in the back row, scowling at your Joy.
Sitting in judgment that my Joy is better than yours.

I had to laugh. In fact, I really DID laugh. I thought about those words by Jay: wanna be there.
Did I wanna be there?
Yes.
Did I wanna wanna be there?
YES!

Another reason I went to see this particular band was that I had been told they were part of an Irish Dance School in the area, and I wanted to get more info on that from a real-live person, in person.
So during a break, I approached the female performer and struck up a conversation. She was very nice, and had good things to say about the school. I got her card, and then asked if they would play a slip jig. She said they would, IF I would dance.

Enter Gremlin: Oh, but I am so rusty. Oh, but I haven’t danced in front of a crowd for so long. Oh there’s really no room to dance . . .

blah!

I felt a rush of adrenaline, and my inner talk went something like this (it may be hard to read, but I wanted to record it as accurately as possible)
ohmigawdI’m gonnadance. ohmigodwhat ifIforget ohmigodhowdoesthatgoagain omigodthere’s noroom

And the adrenaline soared.

Enter BEing: This is great!! Feel that energy!! Why, if I DO forget the steps, I will be carried along by this crazy, madcap energy and I’ll just bounce about the floor! I will actually be OK!!
WHEEEEEE!!!!!!

They played a few songs, and then launched into the slip jig. I waited a little, and saw Laura look over at me several times. But I couldn’t do it. I blamed the tripping over the notes, and thought “I can’t follow that”.
And then they segued into a reel. One of my best friend’s most favorite reel ever. And there was no question: I could NOT sit there. It would have been like thumbing my nose at my friend – whose face lights up every time she hears TamLin, and whose feet will not sit still during it.

I tore off my shoes and ripped off my stockings. I went to the side of the stage, listening for the ‘1’ to begin. And I took the floor.

Let me say this:

I TOOK THE FLOOR

I danced for Michelle. I danced for Dennis. I danced for Laura. I danced for me.
But above all, I danced for the LOVE of it.

And when I took my bow, it didn’t matter that there was applause. What mattered was that I wanna’d BE there.

I sat down and was trembling. The magical part of this is I realized I wasn’t shaking from ‘nerves’, I was shaking fromVIBRATION. I had upped my Vibration so much so instantly that my body was working overtime to keep up.

In writing this, I am trembling again!

WANNA BE THERE!