The Dancer In Me

Every now and then, the dancer in me wants to come out.  She comes out through the nod of my head on a certain beat, or the flick of a hand to emphasis a note.  She comes out when the emotions I have bottled up inside find a perfect song to express themselves to through movement.  Sometimes, I can only envision the steps this stiff, inflated body would perform if it could.  Sometimes I surprise myself with the lasting strength of my center and the momentary extension that leaves me sore.

I was never a phenomenal dancer, but dance did something phenomenal for me.
It gave me a coping mechanism.
It gave me strength.
It gave me confidence.
It gave me passion.
It gave me peace.

Nothing has ever felt more like home than a stage- even if it was the makeshift stage I created in my sunken living room.  Whenever I was home alone growing up, you could bet I had the music up, burning holes into that living room floor with the soles of my feet.  No matter what I was feeling, I could find the right music to tell my story to.  These moments of dancing clarity were for myself and myself alone.  The moment I heard the slam of a car door, I turned off the music and went back to doing something less emotional.

In college I got to choreograph for a "dance club" that I started with a few other girls that needed their fix.  There was nothing more thrilling than seeing my combinations coming to life before me.  Sadly we were never able to get a group to consistently commit to coming.  Post college, I took the occasional dance class when money allowed.  When it didn't, I moved furniture aside when I need to clear my head and once again, my living room was my stage.

Nothing has changed.  I still find myself choreographing my emotions until somehow the movements help me make sense of my feelings.  Music has always had a away of giving me all the answers I know in my heart.  Sometimes I ache to find a room with wooden floors and mirrored walls if only to spend five minutes leaving everything I am on the dance floor.

Today is one of those days.  No, nothing is wrong.  I am not dealing with one of life's challenges.  I am just dealing, and the plain and simple truth is that I "deal" better when I am barefoot and spinning.

I am my best when I have dance to look forward to.  Someone once told me that they could see the joy that dance brought me because after class I always sparkled.  I need to sparkle again.  I think it's time to find myself a place to dance.

What is your passion?  Are you doing that thing that makes you sparkle?