Most of us, if given the choice between dancing or wrestling, would choose dancing. Am I right?
I mean, even if you were going to be a spectator, you’d probably opt for a night of watching dancers versus an evening watching a team of wrestlers going at it. But if you were asked to participate … well, surely you’d choose the dance floor over the wrestling mat.
There’s something inherently beautiful about dance — and yes, I’m thinking of stage performances. Ballet. Tap. Ballroom. Even hip-hop. There’s an interplay between music and dancers that captivates us, draws us in. Power and passion and even story are all captured within dance.
And wrestling? It’s so raw — no music. One on one. Strength against strength — force against force until someone wins.
We want life to be a dance with just the right background music playing as we execute all the right steps. But oftentimes as we pursue our dreams, we find ourselves in a daily wrestling match. Life is raw, demanding strength that sometimes wavers against seemingly stronger opponents of fear and doubt and comparison and just plain old exhaustion.
Our desire to fulfill our dreams, stand by our values, validate our faith must be the greater force in our lives — greater than any opposition that tempts us to give up. Most days may not have the elements of a choreographed dance, but not quitting … standing up to whatever opposes our dreams … allows us to embrace the beauty of dreams come true.
In Others’ Words: When has life been more like a wrestling match for you? How have you won the challenge?
[ctt template=”8″ link=”uW5zN” via=”yes” ]In Others’ Words: The Art of Living https://ctt.ec/uW5zN+ #InOthersWords #quotes #livinglife @bethvogt[/ctt] [ctt template=”8″ link=”jg3M4″ via=”yes” ]”The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing.” https://ctt.ec/jg3M4+ #lifequote #livinglife #artofliving @bethvogt[/ctt]
Comments 6
I find it interesting that one of Israel’s 12 tribes is named “Naphtali” which means wrestling? Is that a necessary part of the family/tribe/nation’s heritage? Apparently so. Years ago when my young family had an awful day, a visiting 4-year-old dropped our hamster in the turtle’s water (which it didn’t survive) and set the turtle free, we all felt heartache and thought we heard our hamster playing on his wheel through the night. No mom likes her kids to hurt, or hurt herself. When I asked God about it, I was impressed with these words, “They who are called in Naphtali must be tested that they receive the full inheritance.” That’s when I began finding the meaning of Naphtali and understanding that a certain amount of wrestling, like growing pains, develops us and takes us further. I also try to pay closer attention, though, so no more hamsters get dunked or turtles emancipated. Thankfully we did find the turtle alive nearly a month later hiding out in a closet (far from his habitat), and returned him to his nicer quarters.
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Dee: I always appreciate what you add to the conversation. I had no idea Naphtali means “wrestling.” And yes, testing is part of our growing … part of gaining our inheritance. (And as you know, “inheritance” is my One Word for 2017. So now I’m mulling, mulling, mulling.)
🙂
More like krav maga than wrestling, I think.
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Andrew … oh krav maga … well, yes, there are days like that. Yes, yes, indeed. And we face those and don’t quit.
My husband is a state qualifying wrestler from a wrestling family of 5 boys. My grandson is a wrestler, and I have 2 neighbor boys who have chosen that path. My daughter was a dancer. So this post is very meaningful. I did not know Naphtali meant wrestling, but I do remember the story of wrestling with God. Some days that feels like what I am doing, and it takes surrender to God to bring victory. That sounds strange, but without the wrestling, the hard times, we don’t become strong in the Lord. thank you!
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Mary,
My son wrestled in high school — he started as a sophomore when we moved to Colorado. Quite late, I know. But he qualified for State as a junior and a senior — and taught me the meaning of perseverance. And my youngest daughter danced for seven years. (So much in common, right?) Thanks for sharing your insights today! 🙂