After doing dance for 15 years, there are many things that I have learned and experiences that can drawn back to the years of classes. These experiences are what made me who I am today and helped form my mentality, passion, and personality. Many people do dance because it is a stereotype for all little girls to try or because they want to dance like the princess in the movies. For me, I gained so much more than the choreography we learned in class. Although it is fulfilling to know new steps and being able to look effortless on a stage, but it is also amazing to know how much is overcome to get there.
Although we are all different ages and come from different places around the state, when we come together for practice or to perform, all the differences we have are put aside and we are left with the same passion that brought us together. Many times, we all go through different things and we do not always see eye to eye, but knowing that there is always somewhere else we can call home makes the experience special and magical.
Everyone needs to find an outlet and discover a place where they can feel safe again. For some people, home is not enough to create the security blanket we all want. Although it is hard to do all the time and it takes a lot of effort, dance has always been something I can do to forget about what is going on and have a healthy way to divert my attention. Dance is not something that needs to be in a studio or on a stage, sometimes the best therapy is going outside and dancing with the trees.
Overcoming obstacles and trying to push ourselves is always a feat in itself. Sometimes, the biggest enemy we will face is ourselves saying it is impossible. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be a dancer who was en Pointe and could glide across the stage or a room like I used to watch on TV. As I continued my dance career, I had the opportunity to do this, but that was also when I hurt my ankle and was told I was not strong enough to go en Pointe. I was left as one of the few who continued dancing flat even though I knew I wanted more. It was the extra practice on flat that let me build enough strength to dance en Pointe and work to become a part of some of the best dancers in the studio. Dance showed me that a little set back should not stop me from working, but make me work harder to reach the goal others may get easily.