Footloose and fancy free

On with the dance, let joy be unconfined. Mark Twain

To be confined means to be limited or restricted in some way. It means that you are held up or in bondage (whether that is physical or figuratively). So to be unconfined is the opposite. It means we have the ability to be footloose and fancy free. Twain's advice in today's quote is much deeper than how most may read it on the surface.
Joy cannot, indeed should not, be confined. It should be allowed to dance throughout our days and our lives, unhindered by circumstances or physical restrictions. Joy is possible even when the surfaces of our lives indicate it shouldn't be. Joy is able to transcend the immediate and introduce a dance to get us through. Joy is something that cannot be fettered, its strength breaks the chains that restrict us. Some days the dance joy introduces is a waltz, other days it is hip-hop. The dance of joy in your life will look different with your days but let it have its way and make you footloose and fancy free, even in the midst of the surfaces of your life.

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April 5, 2015

The Feast of Firstfruits & Easter Go for Broke Day If it scares you this is the day to go for it no matter what. One Day Without Shoes Day Today is to raise global awareness for children’s health and education. Why shoes? Because shoes help protect from bacteria in the dirt, rusty nails, dirty needles and shoes enable feet to withstand the long distances most children in developing countries need to walk to get to school. Join TOMS One for One There is plenty of criticism out there for TOMS and its short term solutions. Critics don't even buy the "at least they are doing something" statement. However, you have to start somewhere. And every bit of awareness helps something go from short term to long term. We all have a part to play. Read a Road Map Day One of the many reasons I would stink at The Amazing Race is because I never did learn how to read a road map well. I remember doing worksheets and class lessons on maps and I was able to skate by ...

Butter someone up

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A dime a dozen

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