The most remarkable thing happened to me this week. I got dance back.
Every week of my childhood, from age five to eighteen, I went to dance class. I loved it.
Then I went off to college and lost dance. I lost it because of the sting of a few “failures” and the paralyzing fear of additional ones.
For the past few years, I’ve been looking for “a way” to get dance back. The story I had was that I just couldn’t find the right class for me. Too bad, I thought. Maybe one day.
Then this week, I got dance back, in the most shocking way: I put music on in my house and danced.
I am a smart and creative person and this option had never occurred to me before.
Before you decide that’s improbable, ask yourself: what in your life do you long for and have decided that you can have only when… Only when these other things are taken care of. Only if you purchase that equipment. Only if you have more space or more time or more money or these other people involved.
That’s a lie made up by your fears and protected by the guardians of your comfort zone.
You’ve been tricked. The things hearts long for are always available, in some form, here and now.
If you’ve lost writing, sit down and write today. If you’ve lost music, tap out a song on a glass. If you’ve lost romance, do something romantic this afternoon. If you’ve lost adventure, take a risk this hour.
This is the “you’ve always had the power” truth. This is click your heels three times and you are home. This is: our lives are always waiting for us to claim them.
Let’s recollect our lost loves like this — easily, swiftly, bravely.
Love,
Tara
wonderfully and succinctly well said, Tara! And, congratulations on getting your dance back!
I hope that you keep enjoying your dance now that you’ve got it back. I love dancing too (and didn’t really begin to claim it till I was in my 20’s and discovered drum circles) so I really loved reading about your experience.
Hi Tara, I think you’re right, sometimes it’s easier or safer to make excuses than to just get out there and do what our hearts desire. But safe or easy is also empty…I don’t want to live an empty life. Looks like I need to strap on my dance shoes and start groovin!
Keep on dancing!
Topi
Tara,
I had a very similar experience with dance this past fall. Like you, I had danced every week of my childhood and even some in college, but it had been over 10 years since I had danced regularly.
For me, it took the form of a hip hop dance class at New Style Motherload in Oakland. I can’t believe how much fun I’m having with it! (I went today.) I have also had a powerful, transformational experience around body image, as remember the wisdom of my body and its strength, flexibility, and sassiness!
Something fun for us to share more about when we’re together…
I also love and would love to talk more about the concept that we can have what ever we have been longing for – today!
So grateful for your wisdom,
Sara
Hi Tara,
I know what you mean about the love of dance. I studied dance for twelve years until I injured my leg and had to stop. I was able to focus my love onto other areas. However, whenever I hear a song, I just love to dance along but in a manner that is less intense.
It is never too late to do what we love.
this made me smile. enjoy every step!
Hi Janice, thanks! I’m very glad too. It’s interesting – what you are saying about the big plan…that life brings us the opportunities to reclaim lost loves. I think that’s true…and I think we have to be open to it, or we will totally miss (or even push away) those opportunities. Sending you lots of momentum to go over the brink and get painting and tapestries back! Oooh and will we get to see some photos at your blog? Hugs, Tara
Thanks Christina! I will!
I’m so excited for you that you found that dance class! Can’t wait to hear more about it. And it sounds like it really reconnected you with your body.
And yes, I’m really passionate about this idea that whatever we are really wanting, underneath the disguises our wants sometimes wear, is something that we can have right now. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately.
Grateful for your wisdom too my dear.
Tara
Couldn’t agree more that its never too late.
It’s interesting – this idea of “focusing your love onto other areas” – would love to hear more about that…would you consider writing about it at some point? I think that’s a topic that is relevant to so many people.
Warmly, Tara
Yes, it is so easy to make excuses, put it on hold, make up reasons why we can’t do x now but only when…I find that so rarely is there real merit to those reasons. There is always some way we can do the thing we want to do today – in some form, for some limited amount of time, etc. But we all need to be reminded of that! Look forward to hearing how the grooving is going! 🙂
Tara
How fabulous that you have claimed it! And yes, the next piece of to keep it up…in a nice soft realistic way that works for me….:)
Thanks Liz! What are you reclaiming this spring? xoxo
Tara