When I started taking latin dancing lessons in May I could barely move my body; I was so stiff and self conscious. I had barely ever danced before.
Yet this past Friday an amazing salsa dancer (and salsa’s not my strength) told me I’m a natural. He said “You’re an unusually intuitive dancer; were you a dancer before you took up salsa?” And I just smiled, because I know how bad my salsa was, even just a month ago. (And yes, that’s me dancing in the blog pic!)
I am becoming a “natural” by investing hundreds of hours over the past few months into practice. I’m planning to join two performance teams in the next two months to become even more of a “natural”, because greatness comes from training and repetition.
Today I watched this video on Youtube, which validated what I’ve learned through my own experiences this year, and I wanted to share it with you. I’ve decided this is going to be me in my 70s, except I’ll be dancing sensual bachata, haha.
As this amazing ballerina says: “It’s never too late to do what you love.”
I’d also add: It’s never too late to discover something new that you love and pursue it all out. AND it’s never too late to become a natural at something, even if you’re really bad at it now.
I was a truly terrible dancer when I started. Worse than average. Now I am able to keep up with intermediate dancers and a few advanced ones, if they’re patient and have a strong lead. In six months, I intend to amaze myself. I have no idea how far I can take this, but I’ve committed myself to finding out. Purely for the joy and adventure of it. And because, as you know, if you read my posts, my whole life has been committed to exploring the edges of my potential and then sharing what I learn with others.
My art in this world is being a living example that you are not limited or controlled by your past.
You have a bottomless well of greatness in you that you will only ever touch if you commit to something. Give up all your excuses. Brush aside your fears. Ignore everyone else’s opinions. And go all in.
To read all my past #coffeewisdom and #coffeethoughts posts visit my Facebook page. (I only post a few of them here on the blog, but I often share them on Facebook.)
Rise up and make a difference in this world as your True Self,
Shawn xo
