I’ve never watched a full season of the show until now. I have DJ Tanner…. oops, Candace Cameron Bure to thank for that.
 

There aren’t many TV shows worth soaking up two hours of my attention each week, but this one…. Oh, this one definitely was. Through my tears, I managed to survive the finale.

I asked myself, Why am I crying over a reality TV show about dancing? Then I realized, I had watched more than just people dancing each week. I watched lives change, real struggles, and both physical and personal obstacles defeated.

Perseverance is necessary for breakthroughs. 

Countless hours each week were spent rehearsing. Most of these celebrities had never set foot on a dance floor. The Rumba and Cha-Cha could’ve been the names of sushi rolls for all they knew. (I still think they may be.)
But they pushed through, stepped outside of their comfort zones, and practiced until they had the dance perfected. What amazes me, though, is they didn’t stop there.
They stood in front of millions of live viewers and put their practice to the test. Through bruises, arguments, and lack of sleep, they pushed through.

We have to step outside of comfort zones.

It’s one thing to practice, practice, practice. But when the expectations of what you’ve learned increase, things get uncomfortable.
They put on their game face, stepped into the unknown, and danced their hearts out. There were no take backs. No second thoughts. Just doing it. Isn’t that something we should all do?
We can’t face our fears when we stay inside our comfort zone. (Tweet that)

You will be judged. 

Can you imagine standing before the judges each week, getting critiqued in front of a live audience, watching the score cards go up, and trying to keep a smile on your face through it? For those contestants who are actors, perhaps it becomes a little easier.
This doesn’t just happen in a dancing contest. Life is full of judgment.
Sometimes, when pursuing your dreams and goals, people are waiting for you to fail. They’re watching your every move, waiting for that moment when you take one wrong step so they can remind you of your failure.
But all you have to do is get back in the beat, hold your head and shoulders up high, and keep dancing.
When all else fails, just keep dancing. (Tweet that, too.)

Vulnerability is key to success. 

Each contestant walked away from that show learning something deeper about themselves. Many of them recognized fears, emotions, and failures in front of more TV cameras they probably wanted to see, yet they kept going.

Candace Cameron Bure set a great example of this. She would do great in rehearsal, but when the time to dance came, fear took over and she stiffened up. Instead of thinking she could just overcome, she sat down with a Psychologist and got to the root of her fear.

Then she danced again, with her head held high, and a little pressure from life taken off her shoulders. I wonder how many of us watching felt a little safer to be vulnerable in our own lives after that. I know I did.

Our willingness to be vulnerable not only changes us, it changes others. (You can tweet this one, too.)

What is holding you back from pursuing what you what in life? What fear is telling you that you’ll never succeed in your goals? Are you too focused on the judgment of others, or judging yourself?

Today is the day for you to be brave, my friend. To punch fear and rejection in the face. To persevere. To get vulnerable about your struggles. To find your breakthrough.

I’m cheering for you!

What step are you going to take today to persevere? Share in the comments below..