If you were following my blog in December, you know that I got hit with a case of the “single for the first time in a decade” blues. I was having such a hard time feeling any sort of holiday spirit. I was in the dumps, and though I tried to keep a stiff upper lip, the weight of everything seemed to hit me at once.
Long story short, I realized that the only way I could pull my head out of my butt was to get some perspective and focus on others. So, Christmas afternoon some friends and I headed down to the homeless district in downtown Salt Lake City for a day of dancing. We somewhat cautiously and hesitantly climbed out of my truck and started talking to whatever homeless people we could find.
I didn’t know what to expect, really. I didn’t know if dancing (especially on Christmas) was something any of them would want to do, especially with a camera in their face. But, that hesitancy quickly melted away. Not only did people start dancing, others came to join them. In fact, there was almost nobody we talked to who wasn’t willing to dance with us.
After they each danced, we asked them what they were thankful for. I couldn’t believe that every single one of them was able to immediately recite an entire list. Here I was, feeling down in the dumps, even though I was surrounded with all the luxuries of life, good friends, good family, and everything I ever needed, while these people with almost nothing had no problem declaring their gratitude for so much.
They were good people, truly thankful for the breath in their lungs and the shoes on their feet. All I have to say is, a couple hours talking to them, hearing their stories, and dancing with them took away any blues I had been feeling. It put life into perspective again. And, it made us all really happy.
I made this video of it, enjoy. Bookmark it and any time you’re feeling like life is too tough, watch it and remember that no matter how hard life gets, you can always dance.
If you missed our first dancing video, you can watch it here.
And… NO MORE EXCUSES! Come dance with us! Take a 5-20 second video of yourself dancing (no matter how silly you think you look!) and send it to me via email to [email protected] If the file is too big, use a free service like transferbigfiles.com and send it to me that way. I know you all have a camcorder on your digital camera or even your cell phone!
Life’s too awesome to not make other people happy with your dancing. Remember, at Single Dad Laughing there is no such thing as bad dancers.
Dan Pearce, Single Dad Laughing
PS, if you’re new here, find a way to follow us! We have a lot of fun around here. And if this made you feel happy, share that happiness by sharing this.
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Absolutely beautiful video. Brought me to tears of joy, sadness, laughter, thankfulness...all rolled into one. You are inspiring!
My recent post This Girls Got Game
I wish I could see your video...but living in Germany....it says you have music that is not available here. I'll be in Texas soon...I'll have to see it then. :)
You rock Dan! Way to step out of your self-pity & a great reminder to just dance!! It's the quickest way to reach our higher spirits & our JOY!
I just needed this.Today they are going to hook of ( I don't know how to say it different in English) my sweet Dad from the ' breathingmachine'.WE are so gratefull he never knew en felt in what situation he came in.We only had a couple a days to get used to it. Well, you never get used to something like that.But this video gave me a little smile. Thank you!
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Hey. This video really helped me last night. My son is 4 years old and broke his arm this weekend. We spent the night in the hospital and he had to have surgery on it the next morning. It has been a very stressful few days, a frustrated child in pain, asking me why his arm hurts and my doesn't is just allot to take. Anyway I got online last night and in a few clicks ended up at this video. Self pity gone now. Nothing but gratitude. Thanks.
Thank You for doing this... and sharing it with us!
I miss working with people who are living on the streets (now that I am raising my little men.) There is such an awesome awakening that comes from the realization that the difference between where they are at and where you are at is ONLY ONE OR TWO CHOICES. Spirit is Spirit... and in that aspect, we are all the same!!! Once you have this realization, you see people... no matter what their circumstances... in a different (and beautiful) way! Love and Light!!!
Usually I like your blog, Dan, but I have to agree with the naysayers. I feel like you are exploiting these people. Sure, make yourself feel better by helping these people acquire their basic needs. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, make a shoe box full of necessities.. I don't mind if you get some satisfaction from truly helping these people, but this project has an awful feeling of, "dance, monkey, dance." Don't USE these people to make yourself feel good, HELP them.
I haven't read your blog for a few months and recently I have been very sad about a few things...one of them being the fact that everyone in my life is pregnant and I am not....and won't be. This video made me realize that I need to stay in the day and be joyful, regardless of what I have or don't have. Thank you so much for everything that you do, and I will be reading your blog every day now :)
[youtube MEbHTTuXojM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEbHTTuXojM youtube]
Here we are dancing and being silly. lol
Much thanks. I was feeling quite blue and your video reminded me of the good there is and how much I have to be thankful for.. Now to wipe away the tears and pay it forward.
Hey...so I was feeling down today - not really for any particular reason. Not sure why it happened. However, another blogger reminded me that it is Friday and we should be dancing :) And it made me remember this post. Thank you so much for another smile!
In an effort to make my kiddos a little bit more grateful for the privileges they have, every year for their birthdays they give toys away equaling the age they're turning. So ZigZag will be 5 soon and he'll give 5 toys away. E-man will be 7 and will give 7 toys away. Etc. This year we're adding in a "day of service" because I realized at Christmas that just giving their toys away meant nothing to them but they had room for new toys. Not quite the image I wanted them to have. So, I plan on making it a little more real to them by letting them spend their time helping at a children's home or feeding the homeless - something of that nature.
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We were out Christmas morning in Seattle, with bags of food and blankets. We met some very nice people who were already thankful, also. It's amazing how having less can sometimes be having more. "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." --Jim Eliot, martyr in Ecuador, 1956
Did you take them coffee, hot food, or blankets and coats too?
Dan, thank you for this. I'm keeping a thankful attitude!
INCREDIBLE, absolutely incredible! Again, you inspire me!
Smiles- how can you not smile with them... Christmas Day and homeless yet still smiling and DANCING, you are a very talented writer and entertainer!
What an amazing post, thank you so much for sharing! :]
Just watched this...wow...VERY cool
I too, had the first time, without my kiddo, holiday blues. And while I didn't dance witht eh homeless. I did have a lovely evening evening with two other girlfriends, also single moms sans their kiddos that night and we eat, drank and danced....a lot. Of dancing, that is :) Indeed, gets you out of your poor me, and into "man, I have much to be thankful for" mindset! Thanks!
I saw this and could not stop crying like a big old baby, mind u it was a happy cry..What joy u brought to these people and what it did for u is awesume..I do hope it become's contaigious..Your a fantastic person Dan and ur friends also..THanx!!!!! For being who u r...
This just might be by far my favorite post to date! I loved the video, what a great way to spend part of your Christmas day!
Emma Goldman said: A revolution without dancing is not a revolution worth having.
Some words from he Saftey Dance by Men wihtout Hats:
We can dance, we can dance
Everything's out of control
We can dance, we can dance
We're doing it from pole to pole
We can dance, we can dance
Everybody look at your hands
We can dance, we can dance
Everybody's taking the chance
its a Safety dance
Oh well its safe to dance
Yes it safe to dance
We can dance if we want to
We've got all your life and mine
As long as we abuse it, never going to lose it
Everything will work out right
I say, We can dance if we want to
We can leave your friends behind
'Cause your friends don't dance, and if they don't dance
Well they're no friends of mine,,,,
and this is a pagan version (a bit of it, anyway) of The Lord of the Dance by Sydney Carter. Words from a variety of sources!
She danced on the water, and the wind was Her horn
The Lady laughed, and everything was born
And when She lit the sun and its' light gave Him birth
The Lord of the Dance first appeared on the Earth
(Chorus): Dance, dance, where ever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, you see!
I live in you, and you live in Me
And I lead you all in the Dance, said He!
I danced in the morning when the World was begun
I danced in the Moon and the Stars and the Sun
I was called from the Darkness by the Song of the Earth
I joined in the Song, and She gave Me the Birth!
Love it, love it, love it! Thanks for reminding me of some great songs.
This video contains content from Sony Music Entertainment, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds.... :(
I usually have no problem watching your videos... Nice article though :)
O my goodness that was one the awesomest (is that even a word? It is now) things I've seen in a long time. They all looked so happy and you guys looked like you had a blast. Those are some pretty fancy moves you got there sir =) Thank you again for knowing exactly what to say/do to put life in perspective Keep up the good work and best wishes for a safe, healthy and happy new year
That....was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am sharing that everywhere I can....thank you :)
That was very nice :) Loved that native American guy!
Thank you, Dan. *HUG*
This was an amazing video! You should be very proud of yourself bringing a little happiness to the people in your video. Everyone looked like they were having a great time! Great job!
I recently found your blog... just read this and balled my eyes out b/c I was impatient with my 2 year old at bedtime- thanks for the perspective!
It's amazing. We're so afraid of them, when they're just used to being ignored. They are useful, valuable human lives that we overlook on a daily basis.
Simply amazing! Wow! Thanks for challenging us!
My recent post Jacobs Journey
My New Years Resolution is: TO DANCE MORE OFTEN AND JOYFULLY! :)~ Love this video!
Yet again, thank you Dan for sharing!
Cherryl (single mom way to serious!)
I am really sorry that I missed this. I was actually at Pioneer Square on Christmas Day, too. It is part of my own Christmas tradition and I would have loved to have joined in the dancing. I'm glad you gave those beautiful people a reason to smile and a reason to dance.
I think, honestly, that we shouldn't wait for Christmas for this kind of thing, though. I think inviting strangers to dance should be happening way more often in Salt Lake City. I'm going to follow your happy lead and start asking. As often as I can.
Thank you for the inspiration!
My recent post Be There
Wow. That's all I can say.
I've been reading your blog for a month or so now, and this is the first time I've known without a doubt that I had to comment.
This was pretty freakin' awesome. It snapped me right back to where I need to be. Thank you--from the bottom of my heart.
looks like you had a great christmas day, and made people happy at the same time. Bravo!!!!!! I am a single mother and you opened my eyes how we can touch people in small ways and our sadness can go away for a period of time as well. Loved it... I need to dance in the streets in vancouver
They didn't mind being in the spot light like that? I like the concept of making people aware of the homeless population.......I'm just unsure.......they didn't think you were making fun of them?
i totally get the "alone at christmas" thing. it sucks, but you really turned it around. impressive.
My recent post personal revelation
You touched my heart in a big way, thanks so much for sharing this beautiful video. With a heart as big as yours you won't be a single Dad for long. Your sending a beautiful message to live life to the fullest each day and to appreciate the small things. I to have been having a hard time being a single Mom for the first time this Christmas and this video made me realize that I will make it through. Life brings you gifts each day to enjoy! Thank you for this gift.
Dan, you truly have a beautiful black duck. Thanks for putting yourself out there to share joy for its own sake. May you, the blog and your black duck continue to rock on for a long time!
all i can say is, so heart warming.
This was faubulous, Dan! I loved every second of seeing this and wish I could have seen it in person!
I had a similar experience right before Christmas, and it made me so very thankful for everything I do have. I bought a homeless man a meal, and listened to his story, and only wished I could do more. With my fibro, my options are limited to helping out, but I try to do things wherever I can! I just happened to go buy my cigs at the right moment to help that guy eat a nice, hot meal!
This blog brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart. Anothere great post.
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Made me cry Dan. You know I had my doubts when you told me about your idea but after watching this all doubts were washed away. I'm with you next time for sure!!!!
THAT was the most amazing video I have ever seen! Thanks Dan - keep up the good work and sharing the word!
All the smiles........made me smile
That was an awesome video!! It makes me so sad though...I feel so bad for them, but at the same time I'm completely amazed at the spirit they have...they could have been feeling down or angry that it was Christmas and they were out on the streets in the cold, but instead they enjoyed themselves and they showed all of us how to be more appreciative and grateful for what we have and thankful that we do have a roof over our heads and food to eat not to mention all of the material things as well. Thanks for posting another great video :)
That is retarded. Sorry. You're a good guy but you annoy the crap out of me.
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First response, Wow that seems somewhat cruel.
After watching, Amazed. Why shouldn't they be allowed to dance? Amen to you and your friends for sharing your light.
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