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I hope you dance

As the lyrics of that brilliant song go: 'and when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance, I hope you dance'.
Clare Sultmann

Clare Sultmann

2 Min Read

‘I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed’

The first four lines of Lee Ann Womack’s hit song “I hope you dance”. The very same song that was incredibly special to Oprah’s mentor the late great American Poet Maya Angelou and was played by Womack at Ms Angelous funeral in 2014. Ms Angelou had said the song reminded her of Oprah and I read somewhere that she sent Oprah a gift she said she’d want any daughter of hers to have. It was a CD of Lee Ann Womack’s songs, with the hit being ‘I hope you dance’ taking centre stage.

I love the song. Have loved it for years. I have a daughter and I agree with Maya Angelou. The words are powerful and my daughter should hear them when she is old enough to understand.

I have the song on my ipod and every time I listen to it at the gym I try a little harder and reflect a little more. You see the power of a good song does that.

Some friends recently ventured into a very small startup business. A group of women, with not much capital, but a good idea and the willingness to have a go. It may be a success and it may be a flop. They’ll do it in their spare time. It will take second place or third to the family, the kids, the chores, the dinners, the after school activities, the washing, the ironing, the cleaning….

But it is something they are keen to try and they are willing to put effort into. Whether or not their idea makes them a fortune or is a complete failure what I like best is they are putting themselves out there. They are not sitting on the sidelines but are up and moving. As the song says so poignantly:

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance
I hope you dance

Author(s)

  • Clare Sultmann

    Clare Sultmann is a mother, wife, trauma survivor, author, motivational speaker and lawyer. In the year 2000 Clare, when going for her usual 6 mile morning jog was struck down on a pedestrian crossing by a 10 tonne garbage truck. Trapped under the truck for 37 horrific minutes and conscious the whole time, Clare nearly died. Told she would likely lose both legs and never walk again, Clare's story defies all odds. Over the coming months she battled, not only to stay alive, but to save her legs and walk again on her own two feet. Although the physical and mental obstacles she faced were overwhelming, her strength and determination was unwavering. Undergoing thirty-seven operations and years of rehabilitation; she is a true representation of resilience, and literally a walking example of what overcoming obstacles and setting goals can achieve. Over 18 years on from the accident and Clare is a published author of her memoirs “Standing on my own two feet” and a nationally accredited mediator. Clare was admitted as a barrister at law in 2008 and practiced law for a few years before she had children. In November 2017 she launched the website www.dearmolly.com which is a network to connect, inspire and empower women. She is also a Board Director of the national Australian charity Youngcare.com