(Notes From A FB Live Sept 25 2018 ~ Click to Watch)

It took a massive amount of courage and confidence to take a Hip Hop Class! What? Smile. I am 53 years old, overweight, out of shape and of all dance classes to take … Hip Hop!!

I was at a pig roast with a few hundred of my friends and they had a dance with a live band. I was SO uncomfortable! I realized I have a trauma block when it comes to dancing. My brain is moving to amazing rhythm but my limbs disconnect. I lift a limb and it … just falls. I look gimpy! I’m uncomfortable and disappointed and … my head starts spinning out of control.

So I decided to do something. Hip Hop is the style I chose because it should fast track me to comfort public dancing, another form of cardio to add to my workout routines and I really like the music!

I have had one class so far and received massive healing! As I was doing the class and gimping all over the dance moves, I was noticing what was going on in my mind. To my absolute pleasure and delight my mind was on board! Saying things like “don’t sweat it, film the instructor and you have 6 days to get it down and you will!” That was my automatic thought, I didn’t even have to work for it. I was so very pleased and a tad overwhelmed but what a gift!

Now I am home and utilizing another tool I have picked up. “Little Daily Disciplines” I practice that move 2x a day for 15-20 minutes. This morning I was able to keep up! Still a wee bit gimpy but – I kept up! And I have 3.5 days to smooth it out. So rewarding!

As I was practicing, I applied the lesson to other areas of my life. Like with negative self talk. It’s the daily discipline of meditation that will help me change my automatic thinking processes from self damnation to gentle encouragement.

Or the practice of stopping mid sentence and apologizing when I interrupt someone every time so I can change the habit.

Or making sure I encourage someone else every single day to bring up my gratitude and make life more meaningful.

Thanks Hip Hop!! Dream BIG! Smile.

#courage #dancer #hiphop #ptsd #trysomethingnew #littlebylittle #prize #practice #selftalk #cardio #gratitude