Dare to dance...average

The President inspires me. Ok, this sentiment is neither revolutionary nor unique. Our 44th Commander in Chief embodies "role model" as an orator, a leader, and simply as courageous human being.

But I'm talking about the dancing. When he and Michelle stepped into the Inaugural Balls on Tuesday night--in just about the brightest and most visible spotlight one can imagine--they weren't all that great at the foxtrot. Clearly that was one activity that was cut in the rehearsal department, understandably, say, after "delivering Inauguration Address", and "giving crisp salutes".

From my point of view it takes guts to be willing to "dance average", or even badly, in front of people. Especially when you're the President. I may also be saying this because I'm learning how to dance, so as I'm stumbling across the floor and tilting and whirling and occasionally crushing toes, it helps to think that even celebrities and role models can look a little stiff on the dance floor.

Still, one could clearly see that joy and delight in each other that propelled the first couple with slightly awkward steps across a global stage. The pundits may have declared that "the Obamas' performance level dipped in the dance department" (groan), but to me, it was just another example of how this leader and his strong and beautiful partner continue to invite me into challenges that may be just beyond my comfort level. That call me to stretch, twirl first, and let my courage catch up to me afterward. So I'm going to keep dancing, even if I'm average. Besides, I'm in it for the joy.

The image of the Obamas makes me want to make a slight adjustment to Elizabeth Alexander's beautiful innaugural poem: "praise song for dancing forward in that light". Indeed, "what if the mightiest word is Love?" Love that is forgiving, cuts us some slack, celebrates doing the dance imperfectly rather than sitting against the wall. What if as a country, as families, as co-workers, we chose this kind of Love--and to dance into it, swirling, tipping, dipping, smiling...average.