Step right step left, sway right sway left, step right step left, sway right sway left,
and so we step to the rhythm of the music, holding hands in a circle of mutual support, each of us
savouring the joy of moving together in unison, happy in the knowledge that every step we take is
the right step because we have been told that there is “no wrong way… only variations”.
And we do have variations.
Some of us appear to have two left feet or do not know their right from their left and state their
intention to label them “R” and “L” just as our mothers marked our wellies when we were little. It
makes us all laugh… and there is much laughter in our group…
Some of us cannot turn on the spot for fear of becoming dizzy, but those that can do, and the others
exercise their right to create a variation.
Step right step left, sway right sway left, step right step left, sway right sway left.
Sometimes the music is lively and leaves everyone exhilarated and a bit noisy, and then a quieter
dance is walked through and we dance it.
When the music fades and the last step has been taken we stand, hands held, in quiet and stillness.
The peace is amazing.
We want to hold it, and we do.
When we let it go everyone is quieter for a while because we know that we have experienced
something very special.
Step right step left, sway right sway left… as I go through the motions I reflect upon the words “there
is no wrong way, only variations”, and I realise that life is like that.
We desperately want to get it right, this thing called living, and sometimes we do,
but there are times when we are not sure,
there are times when the whole thing seems to go wrong and we are uncertain of what to do…
and it’s then,
then,
when we realise
that there is no RIGHT way…
only variations.
The main thing is that we keep on, stepping out;
and whether we are stepping out of line (and we sometimes do)
or stepping out embarking on a new adventure,
the cycle of life dances on.
© Margaret Doughty
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