High Performance Dance
I chose high-performance dance.
My experience was rooted in grit, enthusiasm, teamwork, personal accountability, sacrifice, and big goals.
My experience was also based on subjective evaluations, auditioning for limited roles, type casting, and competing for a place.
It was my world and through it I was learning how the world worked.
Truths:
There can only be one.
Someone must approve of you.
You need to earn your spot.
I was okay with it. I understood it. There are truths that come with competition.
But I am no longer competing. I am simply navigating my own path.
And yet, I stumble over these polarizing beliefs, divisive approaches, and ingrained needs for validation.
This programming runs frustratingly deep.
So, I practice the power of YES / AND
For the dancers...
YES – only one person can win 1st place
AND – the pursuit of growth and goals is worthy
AND – you can measure growth in more personal ways
AND – the resilience you build in pursuit of competition can never be taken from you
YES – most people will get cut from the audition
AND – you are putting yourself in a learning environment to grow
AND – you will gain another experience of managing a high-stress environment
AND – you will connect and engage with your community in a new way
YES- the process is not “fair”
AND – if you enjoy it, it is worth pursuing
AND – you can choose how you want to participate
AND – you can only control yourself, so every unfair situation is an invitation to come back and explore your heart and actions
For myself:
YES – there are thousands of dance educators, mental skills practitioners, teacher trainings, podcasters, and speakers
AND – there is space for everyone
AND – each person has valuable wisdom and experiences
AND – we build what we want to see in the world. No permission or approval needed.
For every YES there are infinite ANDs.
Go find your ANDs.
