What makes you dance?

What is it that makes you so happy that you literally dance for joy?

I heard this question posed today. The speaker indicated that the day the Cubs go to the World Series and win, he and his family will dance for joy. I understand this feeling well. I grew up hearing about the glory years of the Green Bay Packers and the coaching reign of St. Vincent Lombardi. Unfortunately, I heard about the glory years during the 1980's where their win loss record was a dismal 66-85. By the early nineties, I had pretty much given up on the Packers. But thankfully Farve, Holmgren, White and their teammates brought the excitement back to Packer football. I danced for joy when they beat San Francisco in the playoffs or when they trounced their opponents in their first Super Bowl. I understand what dancing for joy is. I've danced, deliriously, oblivious to all others.

Lately, nothing much makes me dance. Don't mistake that for depression. It's not a case of the blues, rather it's a recognition that the high notes are missing to some degree.

The birth of my children made me dance, the hard work of parenting has left me feeling more subdued.

Buying my house made me dance, but caring for it has left me feeling subdued.

Sometimes I think a new gadget or responsibility will make me feel like dancing, but it never lasts long.

Backpacking restores my sense of being alive, but it doesn't make me dance. Perhaps if I took a longer trip, I would feel the dancing spirit at the end.

Am I in a rut or is this normal for life lived with responsibilties and cares?

Perhaps I need to change the music (metaphorically) I am listing too. Maybe the music I am listening to isn't danceable.

This question "What makes you dance?" isn't too different from the classic "What would you do if money weren't an issue?" Followed by "Why aren't you doing that?" Follow your bliss.