Common Sense: A Lesson from the Dance Floor

Dear friends, today I’d like to share a story from my youth, a tale that taught me the value of common sense. It’s a lesson I learned in a rather unexpected place: a dance class.

The Invitation

It was the summer of ’65, and I was a young lad with two left feet. My friend, Charlie, convinced me to join a dance class. “It’ll be fun, Kev,” he said. Little did I know, this decision would teach me a lesson I’d carry for the rest of my life.

The Dance Class

On the first day, I was as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. The dance instructor, a spry woman named Mrs. Johnson, introduced us to the basic steps. I stumbled, tripped, and generally made a fool of myself. But I didn’t give up.

The Lesson

One day, Mrs. Johnson paired us up for a waltz. I was paired with a girl named Susan. As we started, I stepped on her foot. Embarrassed, I apologized and promised to be more careful. But no matter how hard I tried, I kept stepping on her feet.

Finally, Susan looked at me and said, “Kev, you’re trying too hard. Just listen to the music and let it guide you.”

And that’s when it hit me. I was so focused on getting the steps right that I was ignoring the rhythm of the music. I was ignoring my common sense.

The Takeaway

Friends, life is a lot like that dance class. We often get so caught up in the steps, the rules, and the procedures that we forget to listen to the rhythm of life. We forget to use our common sense.

So, the next time you find yourself stumbling, remember this story. Take a step back, listen to the rhythm, and let your common sense guide you. You’ll be surprised at how much easier things become.

Until next time, keep dancing to the rhythm of life.

Yours truly,

Kev