Y’all, I’m one week away from finding out if one of my biggest dreams is going to come true.
I started dancing when I was 13. One of my dreams was to participate in a summer intensive. Major ballet companies or schools would offer a summer program of varying length and intensity. Because I started at an unusual age, I was too old for the beginner levels. I wasn’t advanced enough to dance with my own age group. Aside from that, these programs were insanely expensive. Most ran well into the $1000 and up range. Due to the circumstances, it just wasn’t in the cards for me.
Fast forward to now. There’s a studio literally 5 minutes away from our apartment. They’re offering a summer intensive in July. It’s 10 days of instruction for 8 hours each day. It’s only $400 which is a STEAL. I have the paid time off available. The only question is one of the other managers. She may have to have knee surgery. If she’s out having surgery, I can’t take those days off. She goes to the doctor next Tuesday and a decision will be made. Until then, we wait.
Dance is a huge part of who I am. I still describe myself as a dancer, even if I barely make a class a week. If I have music on at work, I’m choreographing in my head. I’ll find myself bending at the hip, pointing one leg behind me if I’m leaning over to pick something up. It’s ingrained in me in ways I don’t even notice any more. If I got to do this, it would literally fulfill a dream I’ve had for over 15 years. I choose to believe it will work out. If she does need surgery, it won’t conflict with the program. I’ll probably cry from joy the minute I hit “register”.
Spirituality is a deeply personal thing. Some people pray and attend church services. Some people meditate. Some people light a fire and dance around it during a full moon. My spirituality is connected to dancing. By putting “sit at home on the couch” above “dance”, I’m doing myself a disservice. One studio is on my drive home from work. The other is, as I said, a 5 minute drive. It’s not like I have to go out of my way. I’m not honoring that part of me the way I want to. As the cliche goes, if I want something badly enough, I’ll make time. It’s not like I need to make time in the first place. I rarely have plans after work. “Go home and sit on the couch” is usually top of the list. How is that benefiting me? It’s certainly not allowing me to grow and feel a stronger connection between my brain and my body. I’ll never be dancing Swan Lake at the Met. I can, however, aspire to be the best dancer I can. To reach my Nirvana, if you will.
I believe this will work out. Dreams really can come true.
XOXO!
Beautiful Scars 