Wouldn't it be nice if we developed a positive outlet for stress within the first year of our lives? And what if it grew throughout childhood and lasted a lifetime? Imagine what kind of world this would be.
No, I'm not talking about bawling our eyes out at the drop of a hat. However, we may need to shed a few tears to begin the emotional healing process. A really good cry can help cleanse the soul. But keep in mind, it's hard to have power in the middle of a pity party. So why not have a dance party of one, instead?
"Teach a child to choose the right path, and when he is older he will remain upon it." Proverbs 22:6
Miracles and Blessings ...Kiki here. I'm so excited about this week's iCafe Woman Moderne text-webisode: Dance-it-Out! Dance the Stress Away! Wouldn't it be nice if this caught on?
Picture this, you had a suckish day at work. Let's just say, Murphy's Law won this round. You're the first to arrive home. (Thank Goodness!) You kick off your sensible work shoes, and you and your Dooney & Bourke swan dive onto the couch. Aaaah ...that feels good, right? Your iPod peeks out of your purse. You snatch it and click on your favorite gospel tune or top 40 (whatever you need).
Next thing you know, you're Praise Dancing or Dancing Out your anger, disappointment, frustration, grief, sadness, jealousy, low self-esteem, doubt ...everything you don't want brewing inside.
These sweet angels in our opening video give us hope for the future. They're PRAISING-it-Out to the song, Encourage Yourself by Grammy Award-Winning Singer, Yolanda Adams.
(Yolanda Adams)
Remember ...when the praises go up, the blessings come down. Watch this!
What was that? They took your breath away? Mine too. There's nothing better than watching children praise God before the age of 12. Praise dance-it-out, and you'll have victory over any obstacle. There's nothing you can't do. "God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind." 2Timothy 1:7
Our next video is a little raw on the video quality side, but extremely powerful. Watch the first few minutes and you'll surely get a blessing. This video of a mother and her one-year-old daughter (yes, one-year-old) praise dancing together brought tears to my eyes. Watch the baby, she's something to behold. She's a seed waiting to bloom. No matter how tired she is, she keeps praising God.
Isn't she precious? If you think she's amazing, check out the four-year-old in the next video.
Kiki's Journey
Another term for praise dance is liturgical dance. I was introduced to praise dance during a dark period. Since claiming my victory, I've praise danced and taught praise dance to children and adults for 14 years. This form of praise helped me see God's light shine through the clouds. And I've never looked back.
There are so many dance forms ...latin, hip-hop, ballet, line, disco... it's endless. It's basically moving to a beat and taking it from there. So let's see how the doctors on ABC's Grey's Anatomy ...Meredith, Cristine and Lexie "dance it out." They dance away the day's challenges.
(Grey's Anatomy)
A medical resident, a criminal attorney, police officer, paramedic ...all are poster children for stress. This popular Grey's Anatomy scene seem to have started this "dance it out" trend, but I've been doing it for years. After-all, the talented Shonda Rhimes (Grey's Anatomy Creator/Executive Producer) or her impressive team of writers most likely wrote it from an experience, direct or indirectly. This episode prompted even non-dancers to bust a move and bust away stress.
There's no doubt that dancing brings smiles, laughter and fun ...all great things for your soul. You can't deny the medical studies, attributing good health to having a happy outlook.
I Saw it on ABC's Bunheads
Monday's premiere of the new ABC Family series, Bunheads, starring Tony Award Actress Sutton Foster, shows us how it's done. In the midst of the tug-of-war drama between a mother and her son's unexpected, new wife -- the mother decides it's time to "dance-it-out" with this interloper now called Daughter-in-law.
At the end of their hilarious dance, this unlikely duo seem to form a natural bond. It's a good thing. They'll need it for the emotional storm that's heading their way, before the song is over.
In case you're wondering, I'm flying solo today for this text-webisode. Our divas couldn't wait to grab summer by the Adirondack chair. They're buzzing around here, enjoying our Summer salad, smoothy and dessert specials.
Did You Say, Goat Milk Ice Cream?
We even have someone making goat milk ice cream after seeing it on a Cooking Channel show. You heard me right. This ice cream did not come from Elsa, the cow.
Victory Garden Ice Cream Shop New York City at 131 Carmine Street in New York City's West Village (between Bleeker and Bedford) only makes Artisanal Goat Milk soft serve ice cream made with the root of the wild orchid. I can't wait to try it the next time I'm in the West Village.
Hey, don't knock it until you try it. Customers sang its praises on Cooking Channel's Unique Sweets, which aired Monday, June 11. It's lower in fat and healthier. For now, I'll try the samples here.
Since last summer, Victory Garden expanded its menu to include distinctive beverages and savory lunches.
- Photo by Jacqueline S.)
(Strawberry and Lemon Poppy Swirl
- Photo by Ryna D.)
(Victory Garden - located in the West Village - Photo by Jacqueline S.)
Here are Victory Garden's facts about goat milk ice cream:
- Goat milk is lower in fat than cow’s milk, but with all the nutrition.
- Goat milk is rich in healthy antimicrobial fatty acids, which are burned by the body, rather than stored as is cow’s milk.
- Goat milk is also a great source of iron, calcium, protein
and potassium. - Goat milk is lactose friendly, making it a easy for people with lactose-intolerance to digest.
- Goat milk is the most similar animal milk to that of humans. It is more readily processed than cow’s milk.
Whether you're praise dancing with a purpose or enjoying a Zumba party of one ...you're dancing that stress away. And guess what, you're also giving yourself a healthy mind, body and spirit.
What music do you Praise Dance or Dance It Out? iCafe Woman Moderne wants to know.
