PUTTING IT TOGETHER – BIT BY BIT!!

Antonio has returned from Argentina!! Usually when Antonio returns from traveling I am overly anxious wanting to dance perfectly, and today was no different. I felt great about today – we started with the smooth dances and I was falling apart with laughter- mostly from just pure joy.  I usually crash and burn with Foxtrot but today even with a few mistakes I felt good about it.  We then moved on to waltz -of all the dances today I felt the best connection with the waltz, I captured the feeling and I didn’t have to think about the movement. Next was Tango and I got some great moves in, but somehow I wound up on Antonio’s left and was having a hard time working back to the right. We then moved on to the Rhythm Dances- I loved the East Coast Swing we did today to Lady Gaga’s  “Applause” the song truly captured what I was feeling in the moment and I was confident and happy. Even though I love the song I no longer live for applause but for the feeling of doing my absolute best in every situation, applause is nice to hear, but to know I have met or surpassed the goal I have set for myself is the true victory. Then there was Rumba to Katy Perry’s “In Another Life”. The song about lost love is so painful, and as I was trying to harness my emotions it gave a different feeling to the dance. With the Cha-Cha and I cut loose a little bit and had fun! We danced to a slower song which compelled me to have more control.

The life lesson for today? Stand out! Think of the ballroom as the world. In order to make a difference you have to go against the current and don’t just accept the status quo -ask questions. He talked about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela and several other people who made a difference in the world, people whose contributions could not be contained. Antonio encouraged me to find what sets me apart from other dancers and to occupy my space. He said while the hair, make-up and dress can enhance my performance, what sets me apart will come from within.  When I truly believe I can do it I will truly shine. I left class feeling inspired and ready to take on any challenge that comes my way!

By: Kamaria George (05/19/2016)