Dancing with Chuck E.

When I was a little kid, I went to many birthday parties at Chuck E. Cheese's. When you're four, Chuck E. Cheese's is the place to be. Pizza, games, cheap prizes, and people dressed in animal costumes...a dream come true, right? Well, to be honest, I never truly loved Chuck E. Cheese's. I liked it alright, but it was never my favorite. Which is probably why at one particular birthday party, when Chuck E. Cheese himself invited all the children to dance in a line around the room, I sat it out.

That's right, I was the kid who chose to sit in her chair while all my friends danced around the room with a giant mouse. I know exactly why I didn't dance. It wasn't because I was too cool. Surprisingly, it wasn't even because I was afraid of the creepy man in the rat costume. No, I chose to stay put because it was way out of my comfort zone. Despite the fact that the rest of my friends were doing it, I was afraid of how I would look. I was even afraid Chuck E. himself might talk to me, and I would have no idea what to say.

I remember a parent trying to persuade me to join, but I still refused. I don't remember who this parent was, but I remember them asking, "Are you sure you don't want to dance? You'll regret it if you don't!"

Well, the mystery Momma was right. Immediately after the dance was over, I wished I would have joined. I never got another chance to dance with Chuck E. Cheese after that. And to this day, I don't know how it feels to dance with a giant creepy mouse.

Today, I am experiencing a similar regret at a passed-up opportunity. It was right in front of me, and I had even thought about it for a long time, picturing it in my head. And yet, when it came, the shy kid at Chuck E. Cheese's came back again. I was afraid. Afriad I might make a fool of myself. Afriad it would be awkward. Afriad someone would talk to me, and I would have no idea what to say.

I chickened out and passed it by. And I regret it even more than I regret not dancing with Chuck E. I am praying the opportunity comes agian. But if it doesn't, I will never know what could have come from it.

From this day forth, I vow to swallow my pride and take opportunities head-on. I will never sit out another dance agian.