Life’s a Dance
At less than 2 years old, my daughter is already a tiny queen of the dance floor—or more accurately, the living room floor. From the moment she could stand, she’s been moving to her own rhythm. The moment she hears music, she drops whatever she’s doing (even if that’s drawing on the walls) and starts grooving like nobody's watching. And let me tell you, it's a sight to behold.
Whether it’s a catchy commercial jingle, a random song on the radio, or the soundtrack from her favorite animated movie, my daughter dances like she’s headlining. And watching her, I’ve realized she’s not just dancing; she’s living. And maybe—just maybe—there’s a message for all of us in her carefree moves.
My daughter has this incredible ability to turn anything into a danceable beat. The sound of me thrumming my fingers on the table? She’s shaking her hips. Me whistling a tune while making breakfast? She’s twirling like she’s in "Dancing with the Stars." I’m starting to think that to her, life is one long, uninterrupted dance party.
There’s something magical about how she doesn’t wait for the "perfect" song. Any music will do, and she doesn’t care about the beat, the tempo, or even if her moves make sense (spoiler: they don’t). She just goes for it. And I’ve got to admit, she’s onto something. How often do we, as adults, wait for the perfect moment to enjoy ourselves? My daughter’s taught me that sometimes, you’ve just got to dance with the moment—whether it’s good, bad, or somewhere in between.
At this age, my daughter doesn’t know that there’s something called “rhythm” or “coordination.” She doesn’t care if her dance moves resemble a baby giraffe trying to walk for the first time. She just moves her little feet, waves her hands in the air, and bops her head with the purest joy I’ve ever seen.
Watching her, I’m reminded that the best moments in life happen when we stop worrying about how we look or what others think. When was the last time you danced like no one was watching? For me, it’s been a while… like, since roller skating was still a thing. But my daughter does it every day. She dances for herself, and her pure, unfiltered joy is infectious. If a child can live so freely, why can’t we?
My daughter might only have a handful of words in her vocabulary—though she does use “no” with great authority—but when the music comes on, she doesn’t need to say a thing. Her love for dancing speaks volumes. Through music, she expresses joy, excitement, and the occasional dramatic foot stomp (yes, she’s already figured that one out).
It’s made me think: maybe we’re overcomplicating things. As adults, we use thousands of words a day, but how often do we stop and just feel? My daughter reminds me that music and movement can express things words never could. Whether it's a two-step shuffle or a full-on toddler head-bang, her body speaks a language that’s all about joy and living in the moment.
There’s something magical about watching a child discover music. It’s like she’s unlocking a secret treasure chest of happiness every time she hears a beat. But here’s the kicker: her excitement for dancing doesn’t have an age limit. Whether you’re 1, 21, or (like me) slightly older than that, there’s no expiration date on moving to music.
My daughter’s dance moves are a daily reminder that we don’t need to be professionals to enjoy life. You don’t need formal training, or to know the latest TikTok moves, to experience joy through movement. And let me tell you, when my little girl extends her tiny hand and looks at me with those big, expectant eyes, I drop everything—yes, even my coffee—and join her. Because she knows something I often forget: there’s always time for a dance break.
If my daughter has taught me one thing in her short life on this planet, it’s that life is too short to stay still. Sure, she’s got all the energy in the world, but that’s not the point. The point is, she’s constantly moving, exploring, and embracing life’s little rhythms.
Sometimes I think we adults forget how to move through life with that kind of enthusiasm. We get bogged down by responsibilities, bills, and the endless “shoulds” of adulthood. But if my daughter can teach us anything, it’s that we should all be dancing through life a little more freely. Whether it’s a literal dance or just a metaphor for taking things a bit less seriously, the message is the same: keep moving, keep living, and keep finding joy in the small moments.
So here’s the lesson from my daughter: life’s dance floor is always open, and it doesn’t matter if you don’t have the moves. Just get out there and enjoy it. Whether you’re spinning in circles, tapping your feet, or doing that awkward dad dance (you know the one), the key is to move through life with joy. She now has me and her mom dancing through dinner, twirling around the house and finding new ways to incorporate music into our days.
As my daughter teaches me every day, life is too short not to dance in your pajamas whenever the mood strikes. So let’s all take a cue from her: turn up the music, let go of our worries, and embrace the adventure of living with a little more rhythm and a lot more joy.
