What is that glowing feeling you're feeling right now? Why am I so inspired by this video?
As I'm watching this for the fifth time, I recognize what my eyes are drawn to, what I connect with and smile over. I see the colors and beauty in the vibrant red tulips of the Netherlands, the immensity of the sand and sky in Australia, the juxtaposition of dancing in demilitarized North Korea, and the euphonious splendor of people laughing and vocally dancing in their own respective languages.
Did you see the overly enthusiastic gesticulating child from Fiji? Did you see the prancing dog in Kuwait? Did you see the smiling wheel-chaired man from Los Angeles?
I feel our innate and universal desire to be joyful, to be lighthearted, and to connect and dance with others. I discussed with a friend this week about how I feel cared for and loved by my brothers and sisters on this campus. It was kind of a strange concept for him. Granted it is kind of strange. Sometimes we don't even feel loved by our own families. But this video is proof that such things exist. It is proof that we appreciate such things. And how momentous and awesome that is!
It's not like their dance moves are revolutionary-- it's not like I know any of them and are compelled by some earthly tie to smile with them. So then what is this connection that I feel?
There is an incomprehensible and unspeakable connection that we feel with the people in this video. The strongest conclusion I come to? I think for most, this overwhelming feeling of unity and fuzziness (best word I could think of) is something we wish we could feel more often.
I can validly say that this video made us feel good because a.) we are a global community. We are human beings before we are peoples b.) the people dancing opened up to us they had no pretenses about their ability to dance well and c.) this is the reality and world we want to live in. But, it is too tempting to switch into clichés and truisms. This is a global thing to say - but it has to true, individual relevance to you and me.
So here's what I say - to both you and me. Drop the pretense. Drop the "I'm too cool" act. Drop the "My life is perfect or at least is going to be perfect" soon act. Drop the "I need to better than you, seem more successful than you, wear better clothes, and seem happier and more satisfied than you" act. Aren't we tired of being surrounded by people who don't care about us? Who like drinking with us, eating with us, laughing at/with us, but aren't comfortable with us? Who aren't comfortable and sincere enough to ask about your day and really mean it - who aren't willing to go beyond the facebook message/comment to talk to us or find out about our days vis a vis NOT twitter.
Because I'm not sure if I'm okay with the trajectory in which my identity is being defined.
The Bangla song sung in this video is called Praan and it was sung by a 17-year-old women.
And the lyrics (translated of course) are poetry.
The same stream of life that runs through my veins night and dayruns through the world and dances in rhythmic measures.
It is the same life that shoots in joy through the dust of the earth in numberless blades of grass
and breaks into tumultuous waves of leaves and flowers.
It is the same life that is rocked in the ocean-cradle of birthand of death, in ebb and in flow.
I feel my limbs are made glorious by the touch of this world of life.
And my pride is from the life-throb of ages dancing in my blood this moment.
Duke student, ambitious life-achiever, nostalgic mid-lifer, straddling but not crossing-er, underachieving but desiring of purpose-er, whomever you are-- understand this: The life-throb of ages is dancing if your blood.
We are not who we seem to be. We might not even be the person we want to become. But the life-throb of ages is dancing in your blood.
Experience for yourself what heart to hearts mean. Challenge yourself to feel what skin to skin abrasive is. Unveil yourself to see what dancing uninhibited blossoms. Smile fully aware that you're revealing a hidden part of yourself. Search for a life untainted of adulterated substances--pure, effervescent, and serendipitous of peace and freedom.
Dust going to dust and ashes going to ashes though--I don’t want to end this by pushing on you high language pedagogy or lofty truisms. The beauty of our world cannot be explained by words. Simply put, can we explain why we enjoy cool breezes on a summer day? Can we explain why fresh grapes taste SO delectably good? Can we explain why some music brings us tears and awe? Just as so, there just might not be enough words to express the majesty of the connections we have with this world.
So indulge yourself one more time, watch this video again and then go out and with all eyes and ears and fingers open, embrace the world again.
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