Emilee from @anothernightatthebarreofficial who has her own dance blog https://anothernightatthebarre.com/ was kind enough to be a guest contributor on my blog. Here is her beautiful piece:
We all have that something we hold onto--that quote we love, the person we respect and look up to, the motivation behind our drive. Maybe it's a conglomeration of things that provide you inspiration. Whatever it is, it can be a game changer.
For me it's a mix of my Grandpa, who was stoic and unimpressed, asking me if I was doing "that twinkle toe dancing" from the time I was six until he died when I was in High School, a girlish dream to get pointe shoes like the family friend I saw in her senior recital when I was seven, and this inner drive I struggle to explain that begged me to try, to begin. After taking my first real dance class six and a half years ago, (long story) I began to realize there were a few other adult beginners. I looked to them as they paved the way to show me what was possible if I endured the days that had me crying in the corner. Slowly, I began to see that the lessons I was learning in ballet class were also valuable lessons I could apply to my "normal life." As I continued on, I began to realize that people didn't just see me as the "new girl in adult ballet" but as a dancer in my own right. I began to see people looking up to me.
It's important to realize how much our influence really affects the things around us, and how the pen is in our hand to decide if it's going to be a negative or positive story we're writing. Just like the ballet greats, our dance teachers, other people in class influence us, we influence others whether we know it or not.
You have the power inside of you to improve someone's life. All it takes is a simple word of encouragement, a compliment, a friendly smile, or introducing yourself to the new person in class. Little things like this and more contain immense amounts of potential if we choose to act on them and use them to do goodin the world.
Take a moment to think about who it is that influences you. If you're able, consider letting them know what they mean to you. Then, take a step back and think of little ways you can influence others. You'll find giving kindness away leaves you feeling full of the best kind of emotions in words you may not always be able to describe.
You are worth it. You have potential. You will make a difference in this world.
Please share your thoughts on this post by blog comment or email on: dancegrace2@gmail.com.
Let me know by email if you too would like to be a guest contributor, there are a few topics to choose from.
Copyright: Images not my own, used with permission by subject
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