Joyful Defiance, A Practice in Not Flinching

An experiment in following the yes before the no arrives

I was doing a last-minute run for Taco Tuesday items this week. Right after my article about the flinch came out.

I’m reaching for avocados (it just seems like I can’t find good ones anymore… right?), when the music overhead shifted to something with a beat I couldn't ignore. My shoulders wanted to move. Just a small bounce, nothing dramatic. My hips started to go places, though—a bit more drama.

For a split second, I let them. I got in a few delightful little sways.

And then I froze. Looked around. Grabbed my avocados like a proper grocery shopper. I did it too quickly and ended up with one that was too hard. 🙃

Walking to my car, I wondered: OMG, DID I LEARN NOTHING?!?!?! When did I become the kind of person who checks for witnesses before dancing in public? When did I start treating my own impulses like evidence of poor judgment?

The flinch isn't just about public embarrassment. It's about something deeper we've learned to fear: the radical act of inhabiting our own lives without apology.

Our Thursday Friday Offering this week is all about practicing joyful defiance. Catching that flinch and saying - I’m going to dance with avocados instead, dang it! Join us? This week I’m doing a surprise, 10% off any subscription. For the avocados.