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A Step In The Right Direction By Peggy Pollard, Santa Cruz Waltz & Swing www.Peggy Dance.weebly.com Can dance really bring peace to the world? Really? Can a dance unite bitter enemies across the globe? I say it can. Oleksandr was nervous opening the door into the studio for his first ball- room dance lesson of the contest. But at 28 years old Oleks felt ready to im- prove his partnering skills. So he jumped in . . . BIG. He entered a national pro- am competition, knowing his teacher would help him learn powerful skills he wanted. Olek's nervous giggles accompanied his first awk- ward steps with her. But he swallowed his embar- rassment, practiced hard, and learned the footwork, frame and subtle commu- nications required to lead his powerful partner. Oleks knew such skills would be very useful in his career. So he kept at it, knowing every step was a step in the right direction for him. His first week he learned Swing dance. To keep him humble, he wore a neon-pink Elvis costume. They danced successfully. Over the next weeks Olek- sander danced Quickstep in a Charlie Chaplin getup, Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot. He mastered the rhythm of lead- ing: share a step, lead the move, read her response. His skills grew more so- phisticated, deftly channeling his partner's energy in per- fect unity, beyond thinking, into a state of harmonious flow. With each choreography they became more creative, more risky, even doing a dance blindfolded. The audience ahhhed, then roared in approval. Each week of the contest was a new win. And this dance contest had a BIG audience: the entire nation. Sweaty and glowing, Oleks and teacher won first place that glorious season of Dancing With The Stars, Ukraine version. In the glory of winning, each knew they were on the right track in life. If they could partner with such successful complexity, they could do anything. For Oleksandr, this victory was just one early step in his meteoric career. What he learned in partner dancing helped him achieve even greater victories, gaining fame in his country, then around the world. Partner dancing has indeed helped Oleksandr to achieve greatness as a leader, not only on the dance floor, but in his job, as a high commander in the Ukraine war. He is now in interna- tional news, connecting in successful partnerships with many of the most powerful people in the world. The amazing, creative vic- tories you are seeing daily in the news this month is thanks to excellent leader- ship skills by Oleks, or as you may know him now, in his more muted costume, a plain green t-shirt, Volody- myr Oleksander Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine. See a video of his cham- pionship season dance medley youtu.be/TlJyw- p7E3Gw (thanks to Dr. Bob Blum for sharing) So my friends, you tell me, does dancing really solve the problems of the world? Let's put it this way. If that OTHER neighbor- ing leader starting this evil war had learned the deep satisfaction of harmonious partner dancing, their two nations would not be in this military dance of destruc- tion -- the opposite of successful partner dancing. Perhaps he failed at Cotil- lion? In fact, if Mr. P. had dis- covered the deep sense of honorable self-worth – that all the yachts and gilded palaces cannot give -- well, he wouldn't feel such a selfish need to chase glory by crushing others. (and bringing shame instead) So let us not take that terrible path. Instead, let's walk in Oleks' better direction, toward truth, goodness, and hope. "Life will win over death and light will win over darkness" -- Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine This month, everyone I know feels so depressed about the terrible war news, because they feel helpless to do anything about it. But instead of ignoring the news, a better antidote to our depression is to take a positive action. To do something, any posi- tive action no matter how small, is a step in the right direction. It changes us. So, this month's Santa Cruz Waltz & Swing, we danced to Ukrainian music. Only a small thing, I know. But it immediately felt good for us to take a small dance step in honor of those suffering. Doing so connects our spirits to the Ukrainian people. We imagine their lives. We share a bit of beauty from their culture. We grow affection in our heart for them. (Glory to Ukraine, Glory to the Heroes!) Yes, dancing is good for not only your physical heart but your spiritual heart … Dance can even be a form of prayer, that invisible channel sending blessings to those who need it. Then don't stop there. Chase that good feeling. Let your dance prayer in- spire you to MORE good action. Donate to a worthy charity (suggestions on my website) and do more good in the world. But start with taking your first step… in the RIGHT direction. Be a part of how dancing really does solve all the problems of the world. www.peggyDance.weebly. com Living Longer, Healthier Lives By Jay Pennock, MD Jay Pennock, MD is a board-certified physician with over 25 years of medical experience. His transition from Emergen- cy Medicine to Func- tional Medicine allowed him to pivot to reversing disease processes rather than just medicating them. Traditional med- ical practices focus on mitigating the symptoms of disease once they appear, but fail to address the underlying causes for your suffering. Dr Jay investigates the causes of your illness, empha- sizes risk assessment and reduction, and aims for reversal of disease. Dr Jay has developed new, effective, pa- tient-centered medical care methods so his clients can take charge of their own health. At Re- juvenate, patients partner with Dr Jay to develop an interactive and "ho- listic" approach to living longer, healthier lives. 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