You Gotta Keep Dancin’

Sitting around waiting for my body to heal is not an easy task for someone who is used to being very, very busy. So I’ve made a to-do list. Things I can do without lifting or over-exerting myself. Things like “read books” and “watch the birds.” I asked my hubby Tim to recommend some books from his shelf; many have been there for years beckoning me to read them “when I have the time.” Well, now I have the time!

You Gotta Keep Dancin’: In the Midst of Life’s Hurts, You can Choose Joy! by Tim Hansel (1985, David C. Cook) was my first pick. Interestingly enough, the author’s name is Tim. Maybe that’s why my hubby likes it (ha). You can see by the date it’s been around a while, but it is packed with timeless advice for living with pain and hurt. In all reality, one doesn’t have to have pain to gain insight from this gem. It’s a small paperback book and I finished it in a day. In case you don’t have a day, I made some notes. He has many amazing thoughts to ponder throughout the book. I hope this blesses you as much as it has me.

1) God loves stories – tell yours! This confirmed my decision to blog my cancer story. God is a God of stories. Look at the Bible and you will see many great stories unfold. In fact, the entire Bible is a single story of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. Everyone has a story to share, so share it!

2) “Hurry forgets . . . makes mistakes.” I recently saw a book titled Crazy Busy. It’s true of our society. We are a busy nation, and we are forgetting to live in the moment. We can learn from the islanders – take time to slow down and remember the moments.

3) Tim Hansel shares his story. A mountaineer heading back to base camp, he fell through a crevice and broke several bones in his back, retaining floating bones in his neck as well. Yet he walked down the mountain and drove himself home, “feeling fine”! Our bodies have an amazingly strong defense mechanism called shock which hides our pain to get us through an initial crisis. Imagine if our bodies can do that, how much more we can overcome our pain in lieu of joy. After the shock, he lives with pain daily and the doctors say there is nothing they can do for him surgically. If anyone can write about choosing joy through pain, he can, as he has lived it and practices it daily.

4) “If you can’t change your circumstances, change the way you respond to them.” Enough said.

5) This crisis is not an interruption or a meddlesome interlude. It is a major intersection. Decide whether you will “breakdown or breakthrough.”  Nietzsche wrote, “You must carry the chaos within you in order to give birth to the dancing star.”  I love that quote.

6) Nehemiah 8:10 (he incorporated lots of Scripture into his book) reminds us, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” I like his twist on this one, so pay attention! I cannot choose strength, but I can choose joy. When I do that, strength will follow! Are you feeling weak? Choose Joy!

7) The root of the word “happiness” is “happening.” Happiness is circumstantial. We may feel happy because someone came to visit, or because we can sit in a chair after surgery. Happiness is a feeling, but joy is an ongoing attitude.

8) Laughter is good medicine. Aside, we have been watching Steve Harvey on Family Feud during lunch every day. In spite of it’s name it is not  a “family friendly” show, however Steve is hilarious and he makes me laugh. Not just a giggle, but a gut-wrenching laugh (fortunately my incision is strong.) This gives me energy for the second half of the day!  Find laughter.

9) The root of the word “problem” is “to throw or drive forward.” This was intriguing to me. We all have problems, and we should use them to propel us forward. Mountains without valleys would just be plains.

10) “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (II Corinthians 12:9, NIV). If the Lord didn’t remove Paul’s pain point, why should we expect anything different?

11) Don’t be afraid to wear out your dancin’ shoes, because will all get new ones when we reach the pearly gates.  I’m moving slowly, but I’m dancing on the inside. As I grow in strength through this surgery recovery process, I will dance. I continue to be joyful for what the Lord has in store for me.

I hope you enjoyed my “book review” of Tim Hansel’s You Gotta Keep Dancin’. As I was writing #11, my iTunes decided to start playing a Jars of Clay song. Seriously – I didn’t click any buttons that I am aware of. It just started playing!  I’ll close with the lyrics to the first verse, as it appropriately fits this blog. Funny how that works.

This Road (Jars of Clay)

All heavy laden acquainted with sorrow
May Christ in our marrow carry us home
From alabaster come blessings of laughter
A fragrance of passion and joy from the truth

À la prochaine (Until next time) …