Don’t Dance, Don’t Laugh, Don’t Talk, Don’t Walk, Don’t Sing, Don’t Smile

Don’t. Can’t. Won’t. Shouldn’t. Wouldn’t. Won’t. No. No-no.

That’s a lot of negativity. And yet, such a vast majority of us welcome that kind of negativity into our lives.

I’m ready to say NO to negativity. I worried for far too long about what other people think. DANCE LIKE NOBODY’S WATCHING. A lot of people say it, but who actually lives by this motto. Joy is found in that space where you actually live it, let go and allow yourself to have fun. I suggest you take that first step today. Now.

On Sunday, while watching the Disney World Festival of Fantasy Parade swing past me, Baloo (from The Jungle Book) came into the audience, grabbed my hand and swept me up into the parade. And…we danced.

Even a few months ago, I would NOT have done that. I would have pushed him away, hid behind people so he wouldn’t even have an opportunity to get near me. I always thought about how other saw me…always felt slightly ashamed of casting a shadow.

So, in front of hundreds (no thousands) of people, I danced with Baloo. And it was good. We danced along the court at the end of Main Street, USA, in front of Cinderella’s castle. I’ve never been twirled by a bear before! I never would have let myself have that much fun until now. (-:

Free yourself. Sing on the subway. Dance along the sidewalk. Wear that hat you love but are terrified of people mocking. Wear those Mickey Mouse ears. Be a kid. Shed the shame. You know, it’s perfectly fine to let your inner child wander free. Let your freak flag fly!

Life is too short to hold back. When you hold yourself back, you’re only hurting yourself.

Oh, I also met one of my biggest writing inspiration’s biggest characters last week. Dr. Seuss is wonderfully represented in Universal Studio’s Islands of Adventure theme park in Orlando. If you get a chance to visit, look for SEUSS LANDING! You’ll love it! I even rode the caroSeussel!