Don't Miss the Dance

Part of ASF is developing the person as a whole, including the spirit.

My workout
10 TGU 16kg
19 presses each arm 16k
12 squats 28k
80 swings 28k

Wasn't satisfied, so I put my running shoes on and went by the river to run. There was an evening thunderstorm and it was pouring down rain but I needed to keep going. So much had built up over the past weeks that I need to let it all out. It felt good to have the rain wash over me, almost as if it was God's way of cleansing my soul. I ran three miles, mulling through events of the past weeks, events of the past year. At the very end of my run my music player went to a song that put everything in the perspective.

The Dance Garth Brooks

Looking back on the memory of
The dance we shared beneath the stars above
For a moment all the world was right
How could I have known you'd ever say goodbye
And now I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end the way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance
I could have missed the pain
But I'd of had to miss the dance
Holding you I held everything
For a moment wasn't I the king
But if I'd only known how the king would fall
Hey who's to say you know
I might have changed it all
And now I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end the way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance
I could have missed the pain
But I'd of had to miss the dance
Yes my life is better left to chance
I could have missed the pain but I'd of had to miss the dance


My very good friend Jennie passed away last year of Leukemia and this is the song that she chose to play at her funeral. 37 years cut way too early. In her last six months she suffered through many long painful radiation treatments, she lost her hair, she lost extensive amounts of weight, became ill over and over again, and still the disease took her life. However, even through her last six months on earth, she wouldn't have changed it. These words that she chose to play at her funeral, conveys such deep feeling and emotions. All this pain, all the suffering was worth it, because in 37 years she lived a wonderful life, I know because I was able to share many wonderful memories with her. There are many times in our past and will be in the future, that the pain will become overwhelming. However if we hold on to what really matters, and we can see the blessing and the joys that we received, it will make any amount of pain worth enduring.

Awaken the strength to hold on to what is important. Many people and events will hurt you, but don't dwell on the anger. Remember the good times even if it's hard to do. Pain is beautiful because we only receive it by caring and loving so deeply. Once you overcome that pain, and you find the blessing in it, your soul will only grow and become stronger. You will find peace in yourself and become able to take on any obstacle life may throw at you.