I Added "Flash Mob Dancer" to my Resume Today

Life begins where fear ends. -Osho. 

It started off with a simple thought "it would be cool to be in a flash mob dance someday." I posted this on Facebook. 

According to Wikipedia, "A flash mob (or flashmob) is a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and seemingly pointless act for a brief time, then disperse, often for the purposes of entertainment, satire, and artistic expression." 

I was quickly privately messaged on Facebook by a friend and told of a secret flash mob group who were planning to perform in Yorkville in 3 weeks.

I was intrigued. I felt this was the universe encouraging me to try something new. I forwarded the message to some friends who I thought may be interested, too.

I joined the group online, and began to learn the dance through a private link on YouTube. The dance was long and some parts I had to slow down and watch several times.

I liked the song choice. My son would watch me practice. He called it the "1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8..." song because the choreographer counted each 8 count out loud as she danced in the YouTube video. He liked the part where we spin around and he'd join in. We had a good time learning. 

Attending one dance practice was mandatory if you wanted to be a part of the group. The dance studio is in Downers Grove. I had a friend come stay with my son and headed out on a Tuesday afternoon to meet the girls and practice. I was nervous and excited driving there. My Facebook post that day was: "Flash mob dance practice... ahh!!!! Excited, nervous... ahhh!!!!" It had been years since I had danced in a group, and I felt a little rusty. I found the studio and walked in to meet the nicest group of girls and a boy. 

Practice went quickly. We were each assigned a group number for when we entered the dance. I was group number 3.

I learned that I did not have to know the whole dance. I actually only dance in about 3/4 of it. I pop in during the chorus. Some of the parts in the dance we interact with one another. It was fun and involved. I loved it. Not all the mob members were at the practice. One you are assigned a number and attend one rehearsal, you don't have to attend rehearsals. It would be interesting to see how this all jelled the night we all perform together. The same dance is performed at many event throughout Chicagoland over the course of the Summer. 

Next came the anticipation. I was excited to perform. It was the day of the big event. My parents were coming. My son would be there to watch me perform. My neighbors were videotaping. We were set to go. The anticipation was building. It was like planning a surprise party for your best friend and then sitting in the dark room, hiding behind the couch, hearing her footsteps approach the front door. The door was about to open. 

Text messages and emails were sent earlier in the day as to where and when to meet the group. Everyone was welcoming and fun. The sound system was set and it was nearly time to begin. 

It was time. The music began. I slipped into my spot with the group and we danced. The energy was fantastic. The dance was awesome. It was fun. It felt like we were in our own little bubble in the world for those two and a half minutes. Just a silly, fun group of people doing their thing. I could hear my son yelling: "Go, mommy, go!" I loved that he was there to witness it. I think the end was my favorite part: We all just wandered off into the crowd and acted like the whole dance didn't even happen. The crowd clapped. 

My Facebook post after the event: I just Flashmob danced. It was awesome. Best part: "go mommy go!'"

The experience was NOT in my comfort zone. The week leading up to the event seemed to have many ups and downs. The day of the event, my son and I had to attend a wake/funeral service for a family friend. The thought of canceling my RSVP crossed my mind and then quickly exited. I was committed to doing the dance with my group. It was for me. It was for the experience and the comradery of being a part of a secret group. There was the feeling of success at the end and I have grown as a person for having been a part of it. I cannot wait to do it again. ;) 

Life begins where fear ends. -Osho.  

I think Osho is right. I am trying. I found it rewarding to replace fear with faith.

Anyone interested in more information on participating in a flash mob dance, please feel free to message me. The group is amazing and the experience was worth it. I’ll flashmob dance with you.