“you get line dancing, you get the dance trains going on, you get party circles happening, dance-offs, air guitar …”
By Austin John Jones
This blog post is all about fun and releasing excess energy. This time I am going to talk about what I like to call “Random Public Dance Parties” on the spectrum.
So first off, I believe you should all know, I come from a BIG family. There were somewhere around 180 blood relatives at my parents’ wedding. And when you have 180 people or so at a wedding or party, YOU TEND TO DANCE! And when my family dances, it’s STRONG. Like “Brick House” STRONG! You get line dancing, you get the dance trains going on, you get party circles happening, dance-offs, air guitar, all that stuff.
It’s wild on the dance floor for us! And it feels good!
Hold up. Let’s stop right there. Listen to that again: “And it feels good!” Now…that’s what I want you to focus on here…” Dancing makes us feel good…” Why? Why does dancing make us feel good? Why would someone all of a sudden, out in a public place, start doing random dance moves and making a scene? Is that their intent? To make a scene? No! Absolutely not!
Dancing is a way to release excess energy. It is a form of exercise. It is also a form of celebration. To express happiness. To show joy. In a way, dancing is a way to find inner peace. But do people always view it that way? Not always. Some people find it strange. Or embarrassing. Some even call it weird.
So why am I bringing this up? Well, for me, personally. I love to dance. Even when the time is not appropriate. I will be in the middle of Target or Vons with one of my parents, and I just can’t help but to start busting some moves! Got to get down and funky! Get my groove on! I got a lot of energy! Got to get it out somehow!
But then I have to take a moment sometimes. Take time to think about the people who are watching. Are they scared? Are they concerned? Do they find it strange that a full-grown man is dancing in public? I’m sure I have gotten a variety of reactions out of people. But does it concern me? Sometimes. But I just do it because it feels right. It feels good. It makes me feel better.
And it feels even better when you have someone else to dance with as well! One of my co-workers dances with me sometimes. And it feels awesome to have someone to dance with.
Even some of my friends get up and dance with me. Heck! Even my mom and dad do it with me sometimes when I wake up in the morning. Dancing is great. I’d be happy to dance with any of you! Dance more and make the world a better place, and realize when you see people dancing in public that they are just trying to express themselves or release a lot of energy.
In the comments below, why don’t you share a time when you had a random dance party! If you want, describe some of the dance moves you have come up with.
My name is Austin. I am an artist. I am an art teacher. I am a gamer. I am a storyteller and a writer. I love my community, I love my friends and family, and I am on the Autism Spectrum. My favorite game to play with my friends is Magic the Gathering. My favorite video game to play is Spiral Knights. I am a Guild Master of my Spiral Knights Guild: Altosk. I am an avid Hearthstone player.My favorite food to eat is Mexican Food. Specifically Carne Asada Fries and California Burritos. I went to Art Center College of Design for college and graduated with a degree in Illustration.
I had the immense pleasure of seeing Austin in action on July 7, 2018 at my niece’s wedding in Ramona, CA. Austin led a conga line for “Help Me, Rhonda,” and it was epic. The line kept doubling on itself through the reception hall and everyone was grooving behind the dance master.