It was June 19th, 2026. I was sitting in my mock chapter room at CLTC 1, and we were in one of our final chapter roots meetings of the session, planning our Shabbat service and chapter convention program. 

Admittedly, the energy in the room was a little down. We were tired, yet restless to go outside. We wanted to see our friends, yet we weren’t valuing our time with the ones right there with us. And we all had a similar thought looming over us: it was our last few days at CLTC, we wanted to do anything but be in that room! 

Amidst our complaining, it was at 9:51 a.m. that my friend Elisheva switched my perspective with one sentence.

“Just get up and dance and you’ll like it again!”

Because that is the kind of positive person she is, she joyously reminded me that I loved what we were doing. I just needed to find a new perspective. 

I realized then that there was something so silly in complaining about an activity that was teaching us such valuable leadership skills, in the perfect place, surrounded by great people, and with amazing opportunities for growth. All we needed was to give it another try to find joy in it again. 

So I did get up, and I danced for the rest of CLTC. 

Well, figuratively speaking anyways. I “danced” by finding new ways to enjoy everything before CLTC ended. And she was right, I did like it again. More than ‘like,’ I loved everything. I had so much fun putting on our program for another mock chapter, I really got into our “Survivor” themed challenges. I reminisce on the morning Shabbat service we put on all the time. I felt the wind carry our songs and prayers in that amphitheater. I took pictures of everything.  I never held back a smile or laugh. I even actually danced at our CLTC talent show.

Elisheva might not even remember having said it. Honestly, it might’ve been an insignificant moment if I didn’t document it in my notes app. But it was very significant to me, and I’ve taken it to heart and mind with everything.

I took the notion home with me after CLTC ended. I’m chapter S’ganit, and while I wouldn’t change it for the world, it can be a labor of love at times! It can be hard to sometimes plan a program for weeks and see it fail. But those words haven’t left my mind. Because every time I’ve felt hardship, I’ve gotten up again and “danced.”  And without fail, I find joy in it again every time. 

I find joy in the connections with younger members, in the activity that gets girls discussing and laughing, in seeing a new prospect that keeps coming back to programs. I find it in everything.

Part of being in BBYO is pushing yourself to be greater than you thought you’d be, and it’s natural to feel strain. The most important part is that you don’t give up because you’re uncomfortable. Trying again is what makes you better, and reminds you why you’re here: to learn, to grow, and to find yourself in the process. 

It’s human nature to see the negative side of anything first— but it’s our choice to look beyond that.

I could try to give you better advice on how to see the good in everything and how everything is worth another try, but someone wiser already put it in a simple, beautiful form. 

So I ask of you, next time you’re feeling down,

Get up and dance.