“The most valuable result of all education”
Week 39, 9-24-21 “The most valuable result of all education”
Changing Lives Through Dancing – by David Woodbury Arthur Murray Dance Center of Santa Monica, CA
“Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not.”
– Walter Bagehot (1826 – 1877)
English Journalist and Economist
Rebuilding after the pandemic is the biggest challenge I have had in memory. March of 2020, Arthur Murray Santa Monica was having its banner year. We were doing better than we had in 8 years. The week before March 20th, Disneyland closed its doors and I knew that we would be closing soon, and we did in 3 days. We thought this might last for 2 weeks. It was for 87 days. Disneyland closed for 18 months.
Just before reopening we had the May 31st riots. We did reopen and stayed open until June 14th, then we were closed again for 91 days. We laid off our staff twice and could not teach inside our school. This broke our hearts. We taught from our living room on Zoom with out cats in the background. It was a time I’ll never forget.
“Don’t bother about genius. Don’t worry about being clever. Trust to hard work, perseverance and determination.”
– Sir Frederick Treves (1853 – 1923)
English Surgeon
Today we are here teaching ballroom dancing as the battles over masking and vaccinations continues. We follow all protocols and healthcare rules and we have been able to stay open. I must praise Di and Joel for their continued hard work, perseverance and determination during these times.
“To say yes, you have to sweat and roll up your sleeves and plunge both hands into life up to the elbows.”
– Jean Anouilh (1910 – 1987)
French dramatist
If it was not for the dancing at Arthur Murray I don’t know how I would have made it during these past 19 months. It has tested me beyond my strength. I just received an email today from someone who saw some recent photos of me feeling joying, relaxed and happy and they said at the beginning of the email that I looked tired. That hurt me to the heart for about second and then I said, I look great and feel great and I joyously finished preparing to go to Arthur Murray for the day. Never allow others to destroy your peace of mind! I rolled up my sleeves and put a smile on under my mask.
“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”
– George Eliot
(1819-1880) English Novelist
I still think that I have greatness ahead for me in my life. I think that I have a lot to give and I realize that my dad, Troy D. Woodbury, Sr. lived 30 years beyond my age. That is another lifetime to achieve, do great things, and help change the lives of others. It’s never too late!
“Doctors and scientists said that breaking the four-minute mile was impossible, that one would die in the attempt. Thus, when I got up from the track after collapsing at the finish line, I figured I was dead.”
– Roger Bannister, In 1952 after breaking the four minute mile (B – 1929)
English former middle-distance athlete, physician and academic
I had a ballroom dance student who dated Roger Bannister. She said he was amazing, and he was a very quiet and humble man. He knew he had made history and not only did this wow the whole world, but it astonished him as well! As a former runner and marathoner (19 tried and completed marathons in my life) Roger Bannister was always a hero to me. He did the impossible.
“All big things in this world are done by people who are naive and have an idea that is obviously impossible.”
– Dr. Frank Richards (1875 – 1961)
English Writer
Are we naïve? Are we living a dream? Well yes, we are living our dream life. We have never lost our hope, vision, dream, and enthusiasm during this world pandemic. This does not mean that I have not shed many a tear on the darkest days (May 31, 2020). Yet, we have always believed in a bright new day and that everything would work out for us in the best ways.
Keep your education and knowledge alive knowing that even if the road is rough, and perhaps you do not like the journey right now, it will get better and you will make it in your life.
Keep on Dancing,
David Woodbury
info@dancingsantamonica.com