“Mommy can we dance now”, my five year old little girl asked. I looked around at the still crowded dark theater and then up to the big screen where the credits were scrolling through. My internal battle between my head and heart started.

Head: “NO! you just don’t do that here”

Heart: “Why not, look at her face how can you say no”

Head: “How embarrassing, what will others think”

Heart: “What kind of mom do you want to be, the kind that tells your daughter no you won’t dance with her?”

My heart was right and so was my daughter. I got down on my knees (so I wouldn’t disturb those reading the credits- at least that’s what I told myself), and started to twirl my daughter. She did some awesome dance moves that she definitely did not learn from her very uncoordinated Mom. Her brother soon followed and we danced right there in the front row of a crowded movie theater. It ended too quickly and we left. I kept thinking about my initial thought  “you just don’t do that”. Where did that come from? I was terrified I almost passed it on to my daughter. I vowed right then and there I would never turn down a dance.

My daughter loves to dance and she’s so excited to start Ballet and Tap tomorrow. As I pulled out her dance clothes tonight, I thought back to all the times I danced as a little girl. I realized every time I danced either as a child, or now with my kids I end up smiling. I believe dancing is the closest thing to magic.

How many times do we tell ourselves “that just isn’t done” or “what will people think”? Why do we do this?

This past year has taught me the importance of getting to know me and finding my voice. Doing things for me has been hard but rewarding. I’ve gone rock climbing, biking, and even taken painting and cooking classes. A friend and I went up to Park City without kids and road the Alpine Slide, went to Art boutiques, and went swimming. All things just because we wanted to.

My goal this year is to continue this process of rediscovering who I am. The first thing I’ll do is to dance with my kids or even by myself at least once a day. Anyone want to join me? I dare you to try and dance without smiling or even laughing.