Everyone knows that a ballet class consists of endless repetitions of the same order of exercises every day. Every week. Every year. Even every decade. We were all taught perseverance, consistency, tolerance, and above all, to ignore the pain. If you are sick, you simply bring a box of Kleenex to class and keep it handy at the barre. If you are tired, you come to class but learn to yawn with your mouth closed. If all of your “normal” friends (you know who I mean, the ones outside the dance world) are at a fun party or on an exciting vacation, you still come to class but hide your resentment by attacking every exercise with extra passion. If you just don’t feel like being in class that day, you daydream about what you’re going to have for dinner– while at the barre.
I have written down Bible scriptures, read quotes, and listened to songs all about tenacity, encouragement, and motivation. I even have framed, inspiring quotes posted where I can see them in strategic places in my home and office. All of that is great, and it is important to not have a “quitter’s mentality.” We all have rough patches to overcome, even in the most loved professions.
Here’s the problem with that. How do we know when to switch directions, change our path, or when it’s time to experience something brand new?
When I was in my training years as a ballet student, if we heard that one of our friends had decided to stop dancing, the news was always greeted with shock and knowing glances that the “poor thing couldn’t hack it and gave up – bless her heart.”
Wow. It actually involves more angst, soul searching, prayer, counsel, and STRENGTH to decide to end something that has been a life-focus and time gobbler than to blindly continue on in a field that no longer serves a greater purpose in your life. As dancers, we worry about what people think of us, because our careers depend on it. We worry about disappointing those who have been invaluable sources of support, and we worry about disappointing those whom we have supported. We worry about failing at whatever the new path or direction is. Worst of all, we worry about losing our identity and having regrets. Regret leaves a very bitter taste in your mouth that never seems to go away.
Well, there IS good news! We never have to regret moving forward into a new direction, because even if things don’t work out the way we planned, we are still adding layers to our life experiences, not subtracting from who we really are. Nothing that we try or transition into takes anything off of our life’s resumé or cancel’s anything out. Everything we do will always play a part in who we were, who we are, and what we will be. Appreciating, using, and enjoying all of our gifts that we’ve been given allows us to continue to always, and in ALL ways,
Dance on.
Grace Notes 