Optimism: Sit it out... or dance?

Sometimes I listen to Country music, especially driving home from work.

One of the things I like about Country is the depth of some of the lyrics. Country has its fair share of “s/he-broke-my-heart” songs, but once in a while an artist captures an insight or two that’s memorable or even inspiring.

Once such song, written by Lee Ann Womack, topped both the Country and Adult Contemporary charts in 2000. It was called “I Hope You Dance.”

What appeals to me in the song is the author’s call for optimism and action.

The line that introduces the chorus says, “…and when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance!”

Lee Ann entices the listener with her words, but in the end she knows that each of us must make a choice: sit it out or dance.

Songs like this have inspired me to take risks.



Some may say, “Life’s a bitch.” And they’ll find evidence to prove their point.

Others would say, “Life’s a dance. And they’ll find evidence to prove their point.

I’m going with option number two, and I do my best not to sit on the sidelines of life. When I get the choice… I dance!

How about you?



Listen to Lee Ann sing the song here.



Or just read the full lyrics below:

I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty-handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance, I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin'
Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth makin'
Don't let some hell-bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin' out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance, I hope you dance
I hope you dance, I hope you dance
(Time is a wheel in constant motion, always rolling us along
Tell me who wants to look back on their years
And wonder, where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance, I hope you dance
I hope you dance, I hope you dance
I hope you dance, I hope you dance
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along
Tell me who wants to look back on their years
And wonder where those years have gone)