Growth

 This morning I really stepped out of my comfort zone with some help from my sister my mom. I have said before that I struggle in new situations so I will always try my best to avoid placing myself in one. However, yesterday, I decided to take a leap of faith and join a beginner/intermediate street jazz workshop. It may not seem like anything much but I have been dreaming of joining such masterclasses and workshops since the start of COVID 19. Because of COVID, many masterclasses and workshops became online, which meant that even though it is taught overseas, I can learn from the very comfort of my home. It also meant learning new styles and more exposure. But the BIG problem would be that I am learning from someone I don't know, with people I don't know, doing a style that I don't know. Sound familiar? Yea, so I waited a whole year to finally pluck up the courage to even think of joining. I asked my mom and she thought it was a good idea but said it was up to me. I asked my sis and she said to just do it. So I applied. 

Let me tell you that I do not regret it one bit. I woke up at 1.30am and enjoyed every bit of it. My dancer's heart was so full last night when I finally went to bed at 4am. I am also super grateful that even though I know that beginner/intermediate level is technically a bit too "easy" for me, it gave me the chance to enjoy myself and not worry. The teacher was so super sweet and the class was small enough for me not to feel conscious. And I really have to thank the Lord for that. Without Him watching over me and providing for my needs, I don't know if I would have survived this morning. So really, the Lord has enabled me to grow and at a pace He knows I can manage.

Me a Teacher?

As I mentioned before, I dance. Kind of a lot. Sometimes during my school holidays, my dance teacher will get me to help her out with some of the classes. I never looked at myself as a teacher, or even being capable of teaching anyone anything. I looked at myself as more of a helper. But, as today was teachers' day, I myself gave my dance teachers presents but I was surprised to receive. As I never looked at myself that way, I was shocked but I need to learn to give myself more credit and look at what I have accomplished, even with special needs, and own it.
 

Imperfection

I just watched a Netflix movie called Feel the Beat starring Sofia Carson, Wolfgang Novogratz and Donna Lynne Champlin. Basically, it is about a self-centred dancer who reluctantly returns home and agrees to coach a squad of young misfits for a big competition after blowing a Broadway audition. I wanted to watch this for 2 simple reasons. 1, is that the lead role was played by Sofia Carson. And 2, is that it was a movie about dance. Little did I know that I would take away so much from this movie.

I took away that I do not have to be perfect. In the world of dance and in life, many people around us, be it teachers or parents or friends or even sometimes ourself expects us to be perfect. To produce perfect grades, to look perfect and to just be the best. But the truth is that no one is perfect and our quirks and imperfections make each and every one of us unique. This is something my mother will always try to instil in us since my siblings and I were younger and to be honest, it is a hard thing to remember. Especially in a world where comparison and competition is encouraged. Sometimes it is also hard when you know that you have put in more than 100% in something yet it is considered not perfect. Instead, we should not aim to be perfect or the best of the group but to be the best us. To reach our best and to put in our 100% in whatever we do without putting others down.