A new school year is beginning. Even though I’ve been out of school many years, I still get an excited, anticipatory feeling of renewal at this time of year; more so than on January 1. However, this year is newer than new. Whether attending school online or physically going in, everyone is having a brand new, unique experience. Businesses are teleworking more than ever, brick and mortar businesses are opening with an entirely new safety protocol, and dance studios are taking advantage of the creativity of who they are, and they’re coming up with ingenious ideas to accommodate their students while keeping everyone safe.
Unfortunately, what is a brand new beginning for some is an abrupt ending for others. Many people are forced to give up their businesses out of sorrow and extreme loss. Others are determined to push forward and find ways of modifying what they do without compromising anyone’s health nor their own demand for excellence. Sadly, word on the street is that public shaming on both sides of the “mask/health argument” is how people think they can stand strong and show their “care” and compassion for each other. Shame on us. Shame on all of us.
I don’t believe that shaming or mockery has ever been successful in resolving disagreements or any issues. Excellence is not compromised by showing mercy and kindness to each other. I have never heard of a fight escalating because the participants said, “I understand your point and why you believe that, but here is why I believe fill in the blank.“ We should NEVER compromise our beliefs and convictions, but why do we think nothing of compromising our character? We can only move forward productively when our insistence for excellence is done with mercy and kindness.
We know that “a harsh word stirs up anger, but a gentle answer turns away wrath” -Proverbs 15:1. The word “gentle” does not mean weak or lacking in conviction. A gentle answer can be extremely strong and often hard to hear, but it’s never shaming nor demeaning. If someone disagrees with me and calls me a foolish idiot, I do not think I am inclined to say, “Oh, I see. Yes, you’re right, that must be the problem. You were right all along. I’ll change.”
So, what does all of this have to do with performing arts? Dancers and all artists don’t just want to create; they NEED to create. No artist wants to or should ever compromise on the journey to excellence. However, the lack of mercy sidetracks it. That missing ingredient turns the quest for excellence into just another activity or skill. You can find instructions to do activities on a video. The inspiration and art are gone.
Having mercy seems to have become an art in itself, albeit waning. Artists show the least mercy to themselves. Putting impossible expectations on ourselves leads us to transferring those expectations onto fellow artists and others around us. Eventually, we try to live up to an unachievable standard. Then, when we fall short, we crumble into despair. Mercy is a gift to us from our Creator, and giving a bit of mercy to ourselves while we continue to strive for excellence is part of the art. We want to have command in our technique, but we need to use our creative gifts to be wise in our integrity and our art.
Excellence has to have a purpose; it is a means to an end, not the final goal all by itself. Otherwise, it’s temporary, superficial, and will blow away with the first wind of the next up and coming talent. Having and showing mercy as we maintain our standards gives us the freedom to create and express without fear and judgement while putting down deep roots in what we believe.
Teachers should be very good at demanding excellence combined with mercy. Mercy is not compromising the high standards; it’s recognizing the difficulty and emotional strength required to reach the high standard, and then having the patience to pull out every ounce of talent in their students. Most of us have had a teacher at some point who paid more attention to policies and rules than finding a creative way to unlock a student’s ability. Mercy takes the time to pull excellence out of each person. Then everyone is raised to the highest standard.
Dance on.
Grace Notes 