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Originally written before the pandemic, I'm pleased to report this method is alive and well in our house during self-isolation.
I'd love to know your favorite Stevie Wonder songs and how the family dance jam goes down for you.
Are you a party of one? Brilliant! Dance it out. Let me know how it flows.
It’s 5:30-6:30pm on any given Monday-Thursday and I don’t have a plan for dinner. A smorgasbord of left-overs are being reshaped into another meal. I’m throwing it together with whatever I find in the fridge and pantry.
The kids are whining because “No Snacks After 5!” My feet hurt from a day of rehearsal, teaching, and meetings. It’s late in the day for another cup of coffee, and (maybe) too early for wine. My patience drains in concert with each utterance of “Mom, can I…”
Then, I remember: in this house, we have Stevie Wonder Dance Parties.
I’ve learned that Mr. Wonder can solve any patience problem, any day. Don’t believe me? Listen to the album “Songs in the Key of Life” and try not to smile, sing, and dance. It’s impossible!
I cue up the Stevie Wonder station and holler, “Stevie Wonder Dance Partaaaaaay!” We take turns dancing solo. We dance in unison, mimicking each other’s steps. We do our own thing.
We laugh, we tease, we try new things. And, the day seamlessly shifts from drudgery to joy. In five short minutes, I am happily connected to my family, and smiling with gratitude.
Thank you, Stevie.
Here’s a video from one of our earlier Stevie Wonder Dance Parties (October 2013):
Click the image for video
Try It:
You don’t need to wait for a grumpy moment to practice this method!
Cue up some Stevie Wonder.
Start dancing. No rules, just commit to moving for a whole song.
Give yourself permission to be silly, to laugh, and to play.
The party will naturally wind up and down. Enjoy the ride. Stop when you feel content.
Pro Tip: You can use any music style. I choose Stevie Wonder because his music is timeless and it works across generations. You do you. Make this ritual your own.