Have you heard of the Zumba rage that has hit work-out routines, gyms, fitness centers and even You Tube??
well, I had heard of Zumba about 2 years ago but didn't know much about it.
Today my friend Melissa, who happens to be my next door neighbor, took me to a Zumba party at our town's Elk Lodge. It was actually a fund-raiser and for $25 we had soda, beer, & wine at our fingertips (I only indulged in 1 glass of wine and LOTS of water!!), food, and Zumba all afternoon!
From what I have learned, Zumba is a fantastic way to burn calories, take off inches, and pump up a cardio work-out. I danced for about 2 hours and was completely wiped out. This is NOT ballet.....but it IS intricate in its own way. It is a mix of salsa, rumba, hip-hop, step aerobics....stuff like that. The music was mainly Latino type, and hip hop. I don't usually care for hip hop but this was so easy to dance to. It was hard because I had to try to watch the instructor to learn the steps and arm movements and there were literally 100 people at this event. It was difficult to move but...no one seemed to mind if another person didn't know all the steps perfectly...and there were lots of us who didn't!
I am HOOKED! I want to dance my day away.....and guess what?
The funk I have been in...(sort of like a "mental funk" from stressing out over the upcoming trip to France, my teen learning to drive, all the extra orchestra and musical rehearsals my youngest is doing, plus her own dance classes...along with some other "stuff" that is going on in our lives right now....)
has just lifted away, thanks to dancing the day away this afternoon.
I had a blast! I only knew one other person there besides Melissa...a woman from my church....so I met a few people and just danced away.....
working out to this music, in this fashion, really helped me focus on my body, my mind, and yes....even my soul....God is good....He has given us resources to use when we are stressed out.....sometimes it is prayer, reading the Psalms or another Scripture, journaling, talking with a friend or counselor or some form of exercise.
For me, today, it was this new kind of work-out. Even though I felt funny at first because I can't shimmy my shoulders very well (but I CAN shake my hips and butt which seems to be one of the main moves of this work-out!) I realized no one was paying attention to any one else other than to the people who were the instructors or the lucky women who happened to know Zumba moves.
Therefore, I was able to just let loose and let go.
I thank God for Melissa for thinking of me and inviting me. She and I hardly ever get to spend time together and we certainly can't hike in the winter so....this was just a great way to let go of stress and reconnect. She has had some stress in her life too so it was extra special to do this activity together!
As I was relaxing tonite and enjoying a cup of hot coffee with my teenager, watching old Reba shows, I realized that some of the things that were stressing me no longer matter.
One of those things was this blog. Some of you know that I felt like I should go private with it due to some anonymous commentors, and in the recent past, some anti-Christian statements.
Well, after today, I have decided NOT to go private.....I am not going to allow some person to ruin my fun of blogging nor what I consider to be a way to encourage other women in the faith....so....
it is open again to anyone. I am hoping of course that readers/visitors will be respectful and follow my comment guidelines and show consideration, compassion, and courtesy towards other commentors.
And if that doesn't happen there is always the delete button, right? :)
But...seriously....I was letting stuff get to me....letting my paranoia rule to the point of questioning ...just letting it become an idol almost in my life! And I don't have the time or energy to allow that to happen...not to mention it is a sin to allow things to have a higher place than the Lord.
So....
Dancing the day away was a tool that God used to get my attention today. I am reminded of this Scripture: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed." Luke 4:18
Now this is really Jesus talking about HimSelf. But...He could be talking to me today in regards to the part of setting people free.
I feel refreshed, recharged and repentant.
I realize I have made too many things an "idol" in my life lately....and I do NOT want that to happen.
I realized that I have not taken time for my self...to just enjoy the things He has brought into my path...and we do need to take care of our selves...our minds, our bodies, and our souls. It is important, especially for busy moms, to properly care for our selves.....we need times of refreshment and we need times to just take care of our physical bodies.
did Zumba set me free....did a day of dancing liberate me?
Not really.....that was God...only He can truly set people free from cumbersome stress......
Zumba and "dancing the day away" are just the tools He used!
7 comments:
You sound so joyful, Faith. So glad that God stepped in and ministered to you.
I'm glad that you are not private anymore. You have so much good stuff in you to share. And you are absolutely right, there is the delete button for those who cannot be respectful. It is one thing to have a differing point of view and another to attack others. The delete button is definitely there for those.
I am full of joy Susanne...it is definitely the Lord! I was feeling so weighed down but He lifted that burden...how awesome He is. It also helps that someone I had "wronged" told me they forgive me....that is definitely something that replaces burdensome feelings with joy! And thanks for your encouraging and kind words about my stuff to share!!! I'll be in and out of here all week..we have a super busy week ahead of us.
Faith, so glad that you are not weighed down anymore! :D
Kirsten was doing Zumba with her roommate. They really liked it, but now they are doing pilates.
I'm not sure if I can do either. I have to be careful what type of exercises I do because of my back.
Praise God! There is always something we can do! Isn't He awesome!
BTW, I really like the Leeland music!
I always feel fantastic after a dance work out too... I've done lots of Jazzercise, ballroom aerobics, step aerobics, plus salsa and samba. But I've been out of the groove for awhile. I've never heard of Zumba... so now I MUST try it! Thanks for the heads up Faith. You make it sound GREAT!
So glad your blog is staying public... YAY for (big and little victories) in Christ. :~D
Thank you Karen, and E-mom for your kind words and encouragment!!
Karen: you could probably handle Zumba as the back doesn't really get involved too much...it is rather like "hip hop" dancing but with step aerobics movements....my back is actually the only thing that wasn't sore :)
E-mom: WHAT is ballroom aerobics?? sounds like I would love that if it is anything like ballroom dancing. My husband and I LOVE ballroom dancing and simply do not get enough of it!!
hi faith, it's tali, not sure if you remember me, but I'm glad to hear you haven't gone private, otherwise I wld have visited you out of the blue and been very disappointed not just to hear you, but to hear God speak thru you.
A few hours ago, I was watching an add on australian tv for zumba videos and i love to dance and so i thought i shld get that. so funny to read this on your blog. I think i'm going to check it out now :)
My daughter pulls out books from our bookcase and yesterday she pulled out Joyce Meyer's book on 'The power of forgiveness'. I just read the last chapter on living free. For some reason it made me want to look up my old blog.
It's 4am in sydney and I am doing an all nighter...my kids are asleep and i am home alone...3rd time ever with the kids...so I can't sleep and feel like i have to keep guard. the LORD is making me face my fears yet again...hopefully i will get better at this...because my hubby might have to spend more nights away from us in the near future.
but i'm grateful because i looked up my old blog and saw yours...and i'm blessed yet again for having visited you.
You are a blessing faith. if that is always true than you never need worry about negative comments...you are doing good work.
love tali
Tali! It is so good to hear from you. I hope all is well with you and your family. I tried to find your blog and couldn't. Well, I mean it said it went private and I don't have your email so....I was just so excited to hear from you...it's been a long time!
Thank you for your kind words about Gold in the Clouds...my goal is to just have it be a place to talk about what God is doing in my life and in the lives of my family or friends and also to just encourage others with things He has shown us thru the Word, etc. I will try to find your blog again if it is up and running....blessings to you!
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