In this short story, a new year begins with a journal, a ballerina painted by Anna, and a simple reminder: when we wobble throughout the year, we don’t stop. We keep going. Sometimes a stumble isn’t failure at all, just part of the dance.
Life Lessons & Key Themes From This Story
- A stumble isn’t a signal to stop. When we stumble, we don’t give up. We keep going.
- Small rituals help us keep going. like journaling, painting, writing, noticing.
- Charity carries hope around the world on behalf of many. This story honours the work of One Dream, One Wish, an initiative of the Cyprus Association for Childhood Cancer and Related Diseases
- Through creativity and expression, children show us courage, colour, and the will to keep hope, even during difficult times.
📍 From Cyprus: This story is part of our worldwide collection of inspiring true stories.
It’s the fourth day of January. Four birds cross the blue sky. They move effortlessly, borne by the winter breeze. The warmth of the sun reaches my back, wrapping me in light.
It’s a new year, a new beginning, and as I do every year, I’m taking some time to get acquainted with my new journal. I’m obsessed with a good journal. Over the year, my journal becomes a trusted companion. A place to pour out my prayers, along with stories and innermost feelings.
But there’s something special about this journal. I feel it.
And it’s not the physical feeling as I run my hand over the cushioned cover or trace the stitched binding. Nor is it the recycled paper that softly indents as I press pencil to paper, making the act of writing a tactile pleasure as satisfying as popping bubble wrap.
This feeling sits deeper behind my ribs. It’s an awareness of the story of Anna, the girl who painted the ballerina on the front cover. Poised to pirouette, her tutu shimmers in pinks and yellows and blues, as though rainbow light spins around her.
Beneath her feet are handwritten words:
“If you stumble, make it part of the dance.”
I was drawn to the dancer at a stand in a village market in Cyprus. The stall represented One Dream, One Wish, an initiative of the Cyprus Association for childhood cancer and related diseases. The ballerina stood out to me amongst the colourful collection of journals, notebooks and diaries.
“If you stumble, make it part of the dance.”
I have always loved ballet. My mother was a dance teacher, so I learned young. Grit and grace. If you make a mistake, if you stumble or fall, carry on dancing.
I picked up the journal and ran my fingers over the front cover.
“This dancer cover was painted by Anna,” Μαρώ, the lady working the stall, told me. “It’s the last cover she painted.”
Her words caught me in the throat.
I wanted to ask - was it because Anna had passed and now dances in a place beyond this one, or because she healed and is dancing into new dreams, with new wishes still to fulfil?
But I didn’t ask. Perhaps I feared the answer.
Instead, I bought two of Anna’s journals.
Now my journal is open, and I pencil these first words for the year. They are for you dear Anna, wherever you are. I wish you to dance free, without sickness, just joy and peace.
Know that you, and your beautiful ballerina will inspire how I live out my own story this year. I’ll look to her pose, and accompanying prose, with colours brightening her step as she goes.
And on the wings of four birds flying overhead, I send this story out - across seas, across countries, across lands. As a reminder to us all, that when we stumble, when we fall, we do not give up.
We continue to dance.
Support the One Dream, One Wish Organisation
For anyone who’d like to purchase a journal and support the Σύνδεσμος Ένα Όνειρο μια Ευχή - Cyprus Association for childhood cancer and related diseases you can get them here:
https://www.enaoniromiaefxi.com/en/product-category/notebooks/
They have many beautiful designs by the children. Making them not just good quality but very meaningful 🌸
Storyteller: Meet Karletta Marie
Hi - I’m the founder of Daily Inspired Life - a space to share real-life stories that uplift, connect, heal, and transform lives. Born in Australia and now living in Cyprus, I believe in the power of narrative to change lives, build bridges, and bring more understanding into the world.
Daily Inspired Life began as a personal project and has grown into a global community of people who are actively creating a better life for themselves - and a better world for others.
It’s a space for those willing to share their truth, reflect deeply, and find meaning in both the light and shadows of life. Here, as a community, we honour everyday voices and the quiet, extraordinary courage it takes to live, to grow, and to tell your story.
I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below or join our community of story lovers - people just like you, seeking more meaning, connection, and joy in everyday life.
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Photo by Xavier Smet
This is such a beautiful reminder! I had heard this quote beforem but it had been years. Such a great reminder as we start the new year!
Thank you for reminding us that stumbling can be looked upon as part of the dance. Perhaps, the beauty of dance, as well as life, is to rise after every misstep and continue twirling!
Thanks so much Susan. It was a great reminder for me for the start of the year.
This is such a beautiful reminder for us to always have a positive outlook in life! I love your point about us really moving with the rhythms we have highs we have lows, but if we stumble, we should continue to dance. Beautiful, beautiful perspective.
So inspiring! Seeing someone turn challenges to strengths is so empowering. Mistakes also have a role to play in our journeys!
It is good to use mistakes towards progress. Great way to views hurdles or blips into a positive thing! There will always be stumbles and it is good to keep going.
Oh, yes, let’s dance! Stumbling is part of life, so keep dancing to the rhythm is the only way to move forward.
I love this spotlight on the human spirit and how it can perservere. We need so much of that right now.
This is such a beautiful way to look at the world. Life is a dance, and you can’t be afraid to make a misstep!
It’s great to hear that this beautiful piece of art had such an impact on you. Art can inspire us especially with probable circumstances surrounding this particular piece. I look forward to reading about your experiences in Cyprus.
I agree Melanie. In so many stories shared here in DIL people have used art and other forms of creative expression to help with difficult times. I’m thinking of doing a collection on that at some time.
That is a beautiful reflection. At one point, you’d think she’s only talking about dance, but then it can also be about life. If things don’t go the way you expect them too, just dance with it. Beautiful!
My two older boys are training in ballet. They started young, too, like you; and hopefully, will either go to a performing arts school abroad or be launched into a professional company in a couple of years. Dance is a huge part of our lifestyle. 🙂 Are you still dancing?
Wishing your sons all the best with their ballet careers. Now I’m dancing for fun. Still love music and ballet will always be part of my life.
treating a stumble as a part of the dance rather than a reason to stop is a lovely perspective. I really like how small rituals like journaling or painting help maintain hope during hard times.