I won’t detail our conversation….but yes dancing is opening doors for me and allowing me to connect with people differently than I may have otherwise.

I told the two budding dancers about 12to28 and that I was/am an Education Consultant and that I primarily worked to assist young people with identifying and sorting out what they want to do after high school and offered for them to sit down with me at the library anytime if they wanted to talk about College or other options available to them. (This is in the midst of trying my best to introduce a persuasive (but sensitive argument) that one of the young ladies should go with her heart/interests/passions in choosing a post high school path and not what her Momma wants her to do.)

She’s on the path to making the mistake many of  us make when we want to please and make folks proud of us. “I’m taking this step because my Mama, or Parents, or GrandPa, GrandMa, Uncle”…you get the pictures…”wants me to”. And when you ask, “Well, what would ‘YOU” like to do?” First,  a blank stare and then the catch-all, ‘Well, that’s the only reason I’m doing it because they want me to.”

But when I dug deeper a barrage of ideas and hopes and dreams came gushing out.  Her eyes lit up! Why is she not being encouraged to follow any of those dreams? Because no one in the family has ever done it? There’s no security in it? How will she make a living?…..Perhaps, we don’t know our kids/family/loved ones as much as we think. Maybe stepping outside of the cruel, cold, harsh realities of life and embracing the unconventional… (I know. Better said than done)

I don’t know the young lady well of course or if our dialogue really registered in a significant way. (I pray it did…) A 20 minute chat does not add up to birthing a human. And I know, I know…Why should she listen to me over her Momma?  I can only say that I’ve seen enough youth, inside and outside of my family, to know when someone is making a dreadful decision (instantly). You can see it in their eyes…hear it in their voice. I also know from my own life experience that when you make choices that are rooted in another person’s desire the results are rarely never fulfilling to you.

(Note to Post 12to28 Self) I am inspired to create a workshop for Parents titled “How To Help Your Kids Make Decisions, Without Making the Decision for Them” and one for youth titled something like (but much cooler) “It’s Ok To Tell Your Parents No (And How to Do It Nicely). How To Live Your Life and Make Life Decisions on Your Own”.

How many people are living paths their parents set for/encouraged them to do while depressing their full potential and increasingly becoming disabled and unwilling….fearful of stepping out on their own.

If I never see them again. I hope they Dance On….and make decisions based on their love and interest and passion for something. Please….. Live Your Life.

A Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore–
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over–
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

The not so good news is that basically, my body hurts. I’m sore. I feel my muscles straining. I’m just plain sluggish and a little disappointed that the things I used to do with ease as a kid  (like cartwheels…jumps and kicks) are no longer easily administered. A few times during class I laughed out loud in response to how ridiculous I felt not being able to flip my body like my ‘brain’ was hoping for…..sigh

Yet, there is hope. After Thursday’s poppin class the instructor GWO said my deliver reminded me of the dancer Zero…..hmmm flattery is definitely the way to go build self esteem. lol. I am not as good as Zero and I virtually have no free-styling ability (frankly if the instructor isn’t dancing along with me. I probably won’t stay on beat) but I am inspired to push myself to the next level and use my tools more.  Yes, the body is a tool and if you don’t use it, stretch it, work it out…..it WILL NOT perform to it’s full capacity. Lesson Learned.

• Akahai, meaning kindness to be expressed with tenderness;
• Lôkahi, meaning unity, to be expressed with harmony;
• `Olu`olu, meaning agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness;
• Ha`aha`a, meaning humility, to be expressed with modesty;
• Ahonui, meaning patience, to be expressed with perseverance.

These are traits of character that express the charm, warmth and sincerity of Hawaii’s people. It was the working philosophy of native Hawaiians and was presented as a gift to the people of Hawaii.

• Aloha is more than a word of greeting or farewell or a salutation.
• Aloha means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return.
• Aloha is the essence of relationships in which each person is important to every other person for collective existence.
• Aloha means to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen and to know the unknowable.

And also forwarding me some great reading material on Living Aloha and Hula. Now, I also thought back to my first day of Hula class in September. Gina approached me and said “Hula is for Everyone….” and gave me a big hug and kiss on the cheek (which is how we depart after each class!) I thought I must have really been horrible for her to come and console me this way! (But it was really what I needed.) Generally, I can tell when I suck, my face is contorted and the competitive side of me wants to get it right…and right away.  Now, I know that Gina was of course right! Yes, Hula is for everyone and whatever brought me to it’s doorstep I’m soo happy to have been embraced. Living Aloha is aligned with how I want to craft and live my life.  It is what 12to28 is about.  I have a little smile now as I sense that Ahonui has made a space in my heart.

But of course, here comes my confessional. Because Dance is a weakness I wanted to take a class that was fun, exciting (new…at least to me), and not so challenging. And what I ended up with was the intensity, focus, and preciseness that is Hula, (including a much more difficult time catching on to the moves). Mentally, I’m always ahead of my body.

Yes! Hula is sooo much more than you think! I must say that I’m happy my bubble was shattered and that I’m experiencing the dance for all it’s richness. My body is catching up with my mind and getting better every week! It is a honor to be learning Hula….I guess I’ve  been most struck by all there is to learn when dancing and how it has become such a great way to awaken my spirit, my bones, myself to the hidden potentials I possess…..Maybe we should all take some time infuse the principles of Living Aloha……..

If you’re one of the few people in the world who has yet to see the video please check it out below courtesy of YouTube:

Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)

Now, Imagine me busting the moves….. A brief history. Upon seeing the premier of this video. I immediately thought this looks familiar. It wasn’t until my friend MSJ and I were having a chat and he pulled up a oldie but goodie video of 3 older Caucasian women circa 1965 doing a dance choreographed by Bob Fosse.

Walking it Out Bob Fosse Style

And it hit me! I’d seen the video over a year an half ago when I was searching for video’s on how to do the ‘Walk It Out’ dance. Well the late Bob Fosse has inspired many greats and I don’t think he’s getting the credit he deserves. To see what I mean check out this video of Fosse circa 1974 performing “A Snake in the Grass”

Bob Fosse in “A Snake in the Grass” from the movie A Little Prince

hmmm…remind you of anyone?!? Totally blew my mind…but that’s another blog posting.

Back to class. Now Saturday, I was joined by a group of friends who were celebrating a birthday and decided to surprise the B’day girl with 1.5 hours of booty shaking Beyonce style. Kadriene, who by the way is an Amazing instructor (precise, thorough, and just plain great), kicked off with her usual 10-15 minute warm up and dove straight into the first steps of the choreography.  Ok, I can handle it:  make your hand heavy and sway your hips for 8 counts in an exaggerated motion. Next up: hop-step out, kick, left leg out, hands on but and shake, shake, skake-shake-shake….All good until the music came on and the tempo…well, it’s fast. Needless to say we were all looking a bit like Video Girl rejects….Some more moves and then the infamous twirl your torso and drop it down to the floor (One leg bent, the other extended) that Beyonce so elegantly performs.

I’ll spare you the details…but folks it is why I presume Bey has “A Ring On It” and I don’t.   Though, all jokes aside, besides the fact that I’m not naturally gifted in dance (only a hard worker) that class kicked my butt! Beyonce’s Choreographer, Back-up Dancers, and of course Beyonce are all in great shape and if I don’t become a famous, brilliant dancer by the end of 12to28 at the very least I’d like to be in pristine physical condition.

Admittedly, my performance in Day 2 was an inch better (let’s say I could kick at the appropriate times) and I was able to convince a friend of mind to join me.  And I had fun!  (Everybody, present had a good time!) All in all, I’m learning to put aside the embarassment of not being a great dancer immediately, trusting myself and letting it all hang out (well, at least slowly but surely).

Yet, the challenge of working my body to perform….stretching my toes, hips, back in Hula; learning my many voices….and wondering why my voice sounds so much more different than I’d anticipated….

hmmm….Yes, it’s good to finally be meeting these parts of myself. Our introductions have been long over due.

I’m still going strong in Hawaiian Hula and will share (in a separate post) my mission to LIVE ALOHA! I’ve moved on from Turkish Belly Dance….my spirit began to drift slowly away and now I’m on to researching a new groove. Any suggestions in the DC area? I have two weeks left of my Acting/Realism class and though I’m saddened by this revelation I’m excited to embrace what’s next…Maybe an audition??

You might have also noticed the change on my Journey page….don’t be alarmed the Show Will Go On!….and it’ll include a layover to enjoy the Presidential Inauguration Activities in January. And honestly, more time to budget, Fundraise, and secure a gig that pays alot of money fast! (Did I mention fundraise?!)