I've been seeking for ways to get out of my negative heavy mood. I don't like to live depressed even though one would believe I do considering the time I've spent in that state of mind along the centuries. When I can't provoke the change in the brain tides to a more positive vibe, I turn to look for professional motivators out there. Somehow, I've always found something that kicks my butt and gets me back to my feet, despite my lack of enthusiasm to do so. I just know I can't wait for the joy to come back. I would die waiting. I am convinced joy is something I have to work on and produce and it is not subjected to the circumstantial events around me. It's a switch inside. At least, that's how this dragon works and knows to be true.
I've found some good insight in a Tony Robbins video. I highly recommend it. He says motion creates emotion. He claims it is easier to start the day with more energy if you start it with exercise. Your emotion affects your physical posture and so, your physical posture may affect your emotions one way or another. I won't cover it here and now. I would rather have you listen to it and get your own conclusions.
Anyway, I followed his advice and I started dancing in the mornings. I dance very well, I must say, and I love dancing. I also heard the advice from different sources, repeatedly, to devote time to some activity that really makes me happy; an activity I enjoy so much, it makes me forget everything else. The choice was obvious. I got creative with pens and colors. I want to show you the results. I have spent several hours grinning as I've watched my creation dance at the tunes of Disco Inferno, Guardians of the Galaxy's version of Hooked on a Feeling, Come and Get Your Love (and Father Dragon can dance better than Star Lord), Ain't No Mountain High Enough and December 63.
No matter what's the song, the point is it still makes me grin. It's the first animation I've ever done from scratch and it truly gave me joy. I hope it does to you too, at least a bit.
Dragon Hugs!
I love it and it would make anyone feel good querido dragon. What fun this is and I hope we will be seeing lots more of these from you. I like to dance too so we can dance together in spirit. Muchos abrazos.
ReplyDeleteThat is great! Hey, dance your heart out if it gives you more energy and enthusiasm.
ReplyDeleteI love dancing too. When I had more time, I used to do zumba, which I really enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteYour disco dancing dragon is delightful! I love the colors!
Shake those scale, Big Daddy Dragon. The animation is *almost* as awesome as its creator.
ReplyDeleteExercise is therapeutic and having fun. I usually do some sort of dancing as my workout - bollywood, hip hop, hula. It's all fun. I've battled the D too. Writing has been my balm. It lets me get out of my own head.
ReplyDeleteIs there no end to your talent?
ReplyDeleteAwed smiles from here. I love it. And I am not at all surprised that you are a dancer.
I love that animation. And I agree 100% that there's no point to waiting for happiness to come to us. We have to go do something that makes us happy.
ReplyDeleteThat's gorgeous, Andrew! I've also found that vigorous exercise is one of the best things for keeping the Black Dog at bay. The other thing that helped me enormously was meditation. These two activities dragged me back from the brink some twenty-odd years ago and I will continue to engage in them as long as I live.
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone would call what I do a dance, but hey, if no one's watching who cares! Go for it, love your creation. Just looking at it causes a smile, already uplifting!
ReplyDeleteMakes me grin too. I used to start my mornings by going to work. Unemployment has made me depressed too, and some days it is hard to get out of bed or get moving. Horrible as it sounds, I frequently leave dinner dishes for in the morning so I have something "busy" to get me going. From there a lot of times I do light (very light) housekeeping or minor yard work. Silly, I know, but I'm not an exercise person, especially in the mornings, and I really do my best thinking/plotting through housework. I take a long walk when the weather is nice (most days lately, curses) and the feel of the breeze on my skin also makes me smile. So does that first Diet Pepsi :)
ReplyDeleteGood work pulling yourself out of the dulldrums Dragon. I think it safe to say most people need a reason to get butt moving in the mornings - or whenever you roll off the jewel pile. Boogie woogie Dude.
I like it. Dancing is good for the soul. I find singing to also be a mood enhancer. I discovered that as a kid. If I was feeling down, turn on the music and sing into my hairbrush and the whole world would start to look better to me. In fact, I think I'll go do that now... :)
ReplyDeleteOh, wow! Thank you for sharing this. It certainly brightened my day especially since after a depressing six days of bouts of rain, sun, and high humidity.
ReplyDeleteI love those songs!
ReplyDeleteI might just visit your cave and make a dancin' fool of myself. LOL
Wow - first all of those songs really touch me in a special way each one telling my story ..I absolutely love the dancing dragon and I would gladly dance and sing with a dragon. You really did an excellent job and I say dance on those happy feet..I drum and meditate to get me out of the blues..
ReplyDeleteWhy does this song come to mind? Killing Me Softly..
Strumming my pain with his fingers,
Singing my life with his words,
Killing me softly with his song,
Killing me softly with his song,
Telling my whole life with his words,
Killing me softly with his song.
I'll vote for Father Dragon's dance moves over the Star Lord's any day. Lovely video! The movement thing in the morning is a great idea. It's so much easier to be positive when one has a little energy. My choir director suggested holding a pen firm in the mouth (so that it touches both corners of lips.) Supposedly, that activated some 'happy hormone' like a smile does. Not sure it works, but I tell my hubs to do it when he's cranky anyway. He always gives me the oddest look when I hand him a pencil ;)
ReplyDeleteI love it! And you're right, you're an awesome dancer. :)
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful and very inspiring. Tony Robbins almost became a joke in the 80s but his methods do work and he's a marvelous mentor. I'm going to start dancing in the morning myself because it's been years since I took Salsa classes. Thanks for the inspiration and motivation
ReplyDeleteH Father Dragon ... I had to come by and comment - wonderful to read your post and to see the animation .. it's brilliant and made me laugh. As you say .. it's getting going and then keeping on ... if we're doing something we are on our journey. Love the dancing ... and good luck for keeping your pecker up and that fire burning .. cheers for positive thoughts and you - Hilary
ReplyDeleteHey, came back to listen to your songs and watch the dancing dragon..now I'm feelin' so much better..
ReplyDeleteHi Al,
ReplyDeleteDance away the heartache and dance away the doubts. You have also created a positive distraction with your superb artwork creativity. Immerse and embrace this, my dragon friend.
Hugs and hope, your friend,
Gary
I love your illustration! What fun. I've found that I'm in a better mood if I exercise, because I feel like I've accomplished something. And dancing is always a good choice.
ReplyDeleteI'm writing this as I listen to some fun music on my headphones (via Spotify) and while I'm not legally dancing, try telling that to my tapping feet and my smiling, beat-bouncing face :)
ReplyDeletePS: Awesome job with the animation... it was an immediate smile-maker, too :)
You can't be sad or sick or anything bad when you're dancing. Good advice. Glad you followed it.
ReplyDeleteAwesome. I second this. My mom always had great advice about feeling down too. She said if you were sad, to go find someone to serve. Helping others (even if you're just going through the motions) is a sure way to feel something great.
ReplyDelete