decadence = decaDANCE

4/30/09 decaDANCE w/ apologies to wordsmiths
Weeks ago when I described a dance of depenDANCE, I could use that spelling because Mr. Webster said it was a variant of dependence. I changed the spelling for emphasis and to aid friends my age, who need “association” help in order to remember. This time I thought I was going to have to really lay hold of poetic license. Then I decided to “google” decadance. I found a group called Decadance. It is a social dance performance group that strives to make traditional couple-dancing less traditional. My dance with the Lord is probably not considered norm by some folks but it does rely on Him as the one who leads. The purpose of Decadance is to be interesting and inspirational for all types of audiences. That part I can also agree with. But when the dance becomes all about self---where other links took me---it becomes decaDANCE, as it crosses an unhealthy line and personifies that “self” indulgence, that I am convinced, is the wrong kind of dance for God’s children.

Past blogs have indicated that in the depenDANCE one steps toward and leans on the partner who is leading---that is such an important part of the abunDANCE---the leading of the Lord. The avoiDANCE however is one that pulls away from the partner who is leading. The dance then becomes one of evading the rhythmic guidance that is crucial for the two to “dance on” together. The result is the antithesis of a partner relationship. The decaDANCE can have a similar result---when one dancer wants to go it alone. The spotlight is on one---the mantra is “all about Me.” Time’s 2006 Man of the Year had readers gaze at their own reflections in the mylar mirror on the magazine's cover. They were thinking of YOU/ME --everyone in today’s digital age having a part in the information age with cell phones with video capacity; I was seeing a world ruled by self-absorption, with YouTube, MySpace, Facebook and yes, even blogs.

At a Tea Pot exhibit at the Dixons Gallery there was a quote from a man with 10,000 tea pots. “Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.” To me, that is a reflection of our over indulgent culture/society…..and it is wrongful thinking. What's the purpose?
Rick Warren, in Purpose Driven Life, addresses this issue with his first sentence, “It’s not about you.” Yet, we are taught early on to “watch out for #1” or “the one with the most toys wins”---this self-absorption is decaDANCE. It desires more of Me and less of thee. (capitalization intentional) Even our focus is on “my wants,” “my goals,” “my dreams,” “my life.” That emphasis on self is an empty/purposeless life that never gets filled no matter how much we try to add to it---whether a bigger home or faster car or prettier face, or more achievements—it’s all just “stuff” that never satisfies, because it will never be enough. “Meaninglessness in life comes from not only too much pain but also measures of too much pleasure.” (C. Huffman 11/30/08) The life of abunDANCE comes to those who find satisfaction in Him and live according to His purpose.
Choose to ”dance” with purpose. Let decaDANCE and avoiDANCE remain wallflowers in your life. abunDANCE is from Him who came that we might “have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)