Life is like dancing. If we have a big floor, many people will

In the vast and ever-turning dance of existence, life is a rhythm that cannot be predicted, yet demands our participation. Don Miguel Ruiz, in his profound reflection, tells us, "Life is like dancing. If we have a big floor, many people will dance. Some will get angry when the rhythm changes. But life is changing all the time." This image of life as a dance speaks to the very nature of our journey on this earth. It is a rhythm that shifts and flows, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, sometimes in harmony, and at other times in disarray. And like dancers, we are called to move with it—whether we like the changes or not.

The dance of life is not a solitary endeavor, but a communal one. Just as a dance floor is shared by many, so too is life. We are not isolated beings floating through time but part of a grand choreography, where the movements of others impact our own. As we dance, we are surrounded by others—each of us moving to our own rhythms, yet all bound by the same shifting beat. This can be beautiful, as it allows for a rich, shared experience. But it can also bring frustration, for not all are in sync, and not all are happy with the rhythm at any given moment.

Consider the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus, who famously said, "You cannot step into the same river twice." This powerful reflection on the nature of life echoes Ruiz’s words. Life is like a flowing river, constantly changing its course, never static, never the same. Just as the waters shift and flow with time, so too does the rhythm of existence. To resist these changes is like attempting to dance while refusing to move with the music. The beauty of life, of our dance, lies in its constant evolution—its ability to surprise, challenge, and transform us with each new step.

But how often do we resist the changes in the rhythm of our own lives? Think of King Solomon, the wise ruler of ancient Israel, who experienced the ebb and flow of fortunes throughout his reign. In his wisdom, Solomon recognized that life is ever-changing. He spoke of the fleeting nature of existence in the famous passage from Ecclesiastes: "To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." Solomon understood that the rhythm of life cannot be controlled, but must be embraced in all its forms. Whether in times of plenty or in times of sorrow, we must learn to move with the music, accepting both the harmony and the discord.

In the course of history, many great figures have faced the changing rhythms of life with grace. Nelson Mandela, for example, spent twenty-seven years in prison, a significant portion of his life in the stillness of confinement, watching the world change around him. When he was released, he stepped onto the stage of life once again, but the rhythm had shifted. Yet Mandela, ever the patient dancer, adapted to the changes, leading his people with wisdom and strength. His ability to move with the changing rhythms of life, even in the most challenging of circumstances, made him not just a leader, but a symbol of resilience and grace in the dance of life.

The lesson Ruiz imparts is that life is always in motion, and that we, as dancers, must learn to move with its changing beats. Life will change, and we can either resist the shifts in rhythm or embrace them. When the music slows down, when it speeds up, when it becomes more complex or more simple, we must dance with it. Our frustration with the changes, our anger at the shifts in rhythm, only serves to tire us out. But when we embrace the dance, when we allow ourselves to flow with the changes, we find joy and grace, even in the most difficult moments.

In your own life, remember that the rhythm is always changing. The challenge is not to control the music or demand that it stays the same, but to find the grace to dance with it. When the world feels out of sync, when the steps seem difficult or unclear, remember that you are part of a grand dance. Your steps may falter, but the rhythm will continue. Embrace the flow, accept the changes, and you will find that life itself becomes not a burden, but a beautiful dance, full of joy, challenge, and growth.