World Dance — World Love — World Peace

[Anna Billings]

Here's the gratitude dance. Spreading the spirit of human joy. Hope it brings some smiles to your day.

[Or-Tal Kiriati]

I absolutely love it!! :-) :-)
We should try it in more places!!! Make this the new viral!

[Skip Zilla]

When I lived on the gentle slope of one of the beautiful ridges northwest of Frederick, Maryland, U.S.A., there was an older fellow who for years stood on his land in Frederick adjacent to a ramp of Interstate 70 on which commuters ended their travels home from work; he stood there smiling and waving to everyone who passed by. Over time there were several letters to the editor of the local newspaper and even a feature story, but for most regular travelers (and occasional ones like me) the presence of that welcoming fellow smiling and waving marked a daily reminder and change of mind state that we were near home and loved ones and neighbors after a day of labor.

Thanks, Anna, for the video. It's put a smile on my face and reminded me that I'm not far from home.

[Anna Billings]

Hey, we had a waving man, too, in Berkeley, California! He wore an orange glove and waved during the commute time. If it wasn't his usual time to be waving and people spotted him working in his garden in front of his house, they would often honk and wave out their car window as they drove by (I was one of them and I always rolled down my window and waved back at him). Like your guy, he was also featured in our local paper and was on the news, especially when he announced his retirement from waving. But people still honked and waved when they drove past his house.

So grateful for the smile-makers amongst us! :-)

[Ellen Pham]

Hey Anna, were you around last year for the happy dance craze? Ala nerdfighters ning. Always gives me a big smile, in part because chubby people get to strut their stuff too! It doesn't have the same "world appeal" as the "Where in the world is Matt" videos (aka Gratitude Dance), but the entries did come from six continents, and I love the low tech way it was produced- people could collaborate without having to have the money to travel to far away places. Here it is!


By the way, has everyone checked out David's "Project Peace" project? I think it has the potential to do for song what the Gratitude dance does for... well, dance!

[Anna Billings]

Great one, Ellen! Makes me want to dance and dance. :-)

[Anna Billings]

And thanks for letting us know about the Project Peace site. Makes me want to learn how to make videos!

[Ellen Pham]

Me too, Anna... I don't think it's too hard : ) Do you use a mac or pc?

[Anna Billings]

i mac G5. I know there is so much more to explore with this amazing machine. :-)

[Ellen Pham]

I just finished reading a long thread (5 pages!) of stories David has posted on EFL over the past year... just little stories he remembers and has told to his classes. I think many over here at Fireside would really enjoy them, so here's the link!

[Catherine Menyhart]

Thanks for sharing this worldwide connection/expression of gratitude. When I lived in Senegal, I loved the way my friends showed appreciation for a gracious act or gift through a little shimmy or 'happy dance'. I've tried to carry it home with me Stateside as well as adopting a routine of dancing fully and unabashedly to at least one song a day. Whether with others or alone, at home or out on the town - it's amazing how dance can lift the spirit!

[Anna Billings]

Hi Catherine,

Thanks for this wonderful "happiness tip." Amazing how this simple act can shift our mood so quickly and easily and it's so readily available. Definitely good to add it to one's daily practices. Love the "fully and unabashedly part.