Showing perseverance and commitment: Yes, many times during the week, especially after a long day of school, my brain is tired and I don’t feel like going to dance. There are days when I would much rather go home and do nothing, but instead, I go, because I have committed and I am a part of a team. Most of the time I get to dance and those feelings vanish, and I end up having a great time exercising and feel so much better afterward. This is usually what helps me stay motivated and gets me through the times when I don’t want to go. Staying active is a big part of my life and I always appreciate it after I have exercised. I learn things from dance all the time. I feel so lucky to be a part of the dance community, with my friends, and the most amazing teachers, Gaby is really a lifesaver. She has not only taught me lessons in dance but so many concepts that apply to real life and how we perceive ourselves. There were times when I contemplated quitting dance all together, and now I have learned how to accept the ways I am different, and the things I can’t do, and focus on how dancing actually makes me feel.
Taking on new challenges: Dancing is so much more challenging than many people see it as. It is not just about moving to the music, but learning and working on how to control your body in ways that many people cannot. There is so much behind the scenes work that we as dancers must put in, and so many times I leave class feeling exhausted and sore. Although difficult and draining, dance is one of the most important things in my life. It keeps me going even when I feel I cannot dance anymore. It brightens my day and makes me feel alive. Dancing is something I hope I never have to give up, because it has opened my eyes to so many experiences and feelings. I learn something new every day and every class I dance, there is always more to learn and I love it.
Strengths and areas for growth: I have discovered many things about myself and about others through dance. I have learned how different each of us are, and how to use those differences to my advantage and not critique and hate them about myself. Dancing is an art, and is meant to be enjoyed, which sometimes gets lost in the grind of everyday practice. It can be tiring to have people telling you to be perfect and to be a certain way, when you aren't. Many times I must go back and remind myself why I started, and continue dancing in the first place. I feel that this lesson can apply to most things in life, and will benefit me in the future by knowing where my interests lie. I will always try and stay true to myself and keep asking the question, why do something that doesn’t make you happy?
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