When she was 54 years old, Lydia Raurell decided to dance.
Raurell, a magazine editor, knew in the depths of her heart that she'd always wanted to dance. But she had so many commitments to people and so many details to look after that for more than 20 years she kept telling herself the time wasn't right.
One day Raurell, who lives in Palm Beach, Fla., saw an ad for dance classes in a local newspaper and knew it was time to live her dream.
In her book, "A Year of Dancing Dangerously: One Woman's Journey from Beginner to Winner," Raurell shares her experiences in hopes that it might help other women seek to rediscover themselves.
One of the many advantages of getting older is that you realize that you don't have all the time in the world left, Raurell says.
“Many of us avoid new activities because of fear; we're afraid of failure or of feeling embarrassed. But, if we decide an activity is just another form of learning and that learning is really growing, which is a lifelong journey, then the idea of failure doesn't exist.”
At 54, Raurell was semi-retired from work, her son was grown, and she had some extra time. “I think we all have dreams – some are small, some are big. Mine happened to want be a ballroom dancer like Ginger Rogers.”
Raurell says dancing is wonderful exercise and has improved her health.
She enjoyed her dancing lessons so much she began participating in dancing contests.
The competitions are divided into age categories, with the 50 to 65 age group the largest.
It was difficult at first for Raurell, who is thin, to wear the revealing, skimpy dresses required for some of the dances. Now she enjoys the costumes.
Raurell loves the excitement of competition and calls it fun. However, she says it both increases and decreases her stress level.
At a competition, the entire day is tightly scheduled for dancing. Competitive dancing requires significant amounts of discipline and dedication, she says.
Raurell’s favorite dances are the Viennese waltz, tango, and bolero, a category of American Rhythm. The most difficult dance for her is the cha-cha.
After one year of dancing, Raurell won the Top Student Award – out of 4,000 women in the U.S. – at the Ohio Star Ball. It's like the NFL Super Bowl of ballroom dance.
She was Second in 2006, First again in 2007, and Third in 2008.
Raurell’s now going into her fifth year of dancing. She’s completed the three levels of Bronze; beginner, intermediate, and full. Now she’s doing the same levels in Silver.
Working with her teacher and dance partner three hours a day, four days a week, Raurell continues to dance and compete.
"Never give up on your dream," she advises baby boomers.
“Make your dream be your celebration of life,” Raurell says. “This is your 'time to dance.'”
For more information on Raurell’s journey, see the four-part series on my blog the Boomer Consumer:
“How Boomer Women Can Dance Their Dreams – Part 1”
“How Boomer Women Can Dance Their Dreams – Part 2”
“How Boomer Women Can Dance Their Dreams – Part 3”
“How Boomer Women Can Dance Their Dreams – Part 4”
