Need A Little Joy?

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Need A Little Joy?

March 20, 2022 by still a dreamer

In 2008, Matt Harding, one of the greatest goodwill ambassadors of all time, in my opinion, posted a video of him dancing – “dancing badly” in his words – with people all around the world. In 14 months, he danced with children and adults of every color and nationality, indigenous peoples, even a whale, (and occasionally alone) in 42 countries.

In the face of so much sadness in our world, the memory of Matt Harding somehow returned to me. I cannot watch this without tears running down my face, because of the sheer joy of so many people happily sharing a simple love of dancing. Here’s 2008’s dance. Please watch full screen or theater mode, for even those not dancing are great to watch.

In 2012, he posted another world tour, this time dancing across the U.S., Europe, and beyond, even on the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Pacific Ocean. But he’s also in Syria, Afghanistan, North Korea, China, Russia, Rwanda, Iraq – countries where you might not expect him to be. And it’s all the same – people dancing with such joy. It does make you wonder why we stumble so as a human race, when this is all people want – to be happy.

So please take a minute and put a smile on your face (happy tears permitted!), maybe even get up and dance.

If you want to learn more, visit Where the Hell Is Matt? (later changed to Where the Heck Is Matt?). Can we please have more goodwill ambassadors like Matt Harding?

Posted in Art, Creativity, Dance, Just Fun, Life | Tagged Dance, dancing, Dancing Around the World, Dancing Matt, Goodwill ambassador, Joy, Matt Harding, Travel, Where the Heck Is Matt?, Where the Hell Is Matt? | 12 Comments

12 Responses

on March 20, 2022 at 11:20 pm Becky Ross Michael

Chills…this is wonderful!

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- on March 21, 2022 at 10:03 am still a dreamer
  
  Every now and then I revisit it. Forget about it, then remember, and each time it’s like it’s new. Glad you liked it, too!
  
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  - on March 22, 2022 at 1:26 pm Becky Ross Michael
    
    I sure did, Jeanne!
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    - on March 22, 2022 at 1:46 pm still a dreamer
      
      😍
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
on March 21, 2022 at 10:07 am Kitty

I remember Matt. A merry soul. How wonderful to rest in this memory and reminder, Jeanne. Thank you!

LikeLiked by 1 person
- on March 21, 2022 at 10:45 am still a dreamer
  
  So glad you’re enjoying … and remembering. These videos are truly timeless. And such a respite from all the nonsense we hear daily. Happy Monday, Kitty!
  
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on March 21, 2022 at 10:23 am Andrea Stephenson

That was great – I smiled, I laughed, I cried – I’m still crying 🙂

LikeLiked by 1 person
- on March 21, 2022 at 10:44 am still a dreamer
  
  Yes! Everything I’d hoped for! LOL.
  And after you’ve watched once, then you start watching people in the background. Like all the people cracking up over Matt dancing with the bride in South Korea (2012) So glad you’re enjoying it!
  
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on March 21, 2022 at 2:44 pm Cheryl Capaldo Traylor

I so needed this. Thank you, Jeanne. xo

LikeLiked by 1 person
- on March 21, 2022 at 5:02 pm still a dreamer
  
  I really needed it, too. I think we all do, and magically (well, synchronistically) the memory of Matt Harding, dancing “badly” came to me. I’ve watched it more than a few times since I re-found it. XO to you, too.
  
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on April 7, 2022 at 3:26 am SaaniaSparkle 🧚🏻‍♀️

Wonderful

LikeLiked by 1 person
- on April 10, 2022 at 10:38 am still a dreamer
  
  Sorry for the delayed reply! So glad you liked this. Just has to put a smile on your face. 😀
  
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