Great Days, Off Days...

What I'd like to talk about today is something that may not be talked about enough. Depending on your thought processing and perspective, you may take time to acknowledge when you aren't feeling your strongest, to capitalize on it, or you give it so much attention, leaving space for doubt. I am in no way an advocate for succumbing to the pressures and occasional fatigue that comes with the lifestyle of a dance artist, but I am proposing the benefits of acknowledging our "not-so-perfect" days.

     This entire week for me has been filled with ballet classes and rehearsals. There's something about knowing who God called you to be, embracing that and taking that confidence into the very thing He called you to. It changes the game! This entire week has been an amazing one for me because I decided to live in each moment. Y'all know how that is, right? But hear me now. Thursday came around and your girl was feeling the strategic remnants of the hard work I'd put in Monday through Wednesday. (You know, when you were Davalois Fearon on Monday and by Wednesday you'd just taken your first ever dance class!!) I'm not bragging, just trying to paint a picture. We can work really hard for the things we want to achieve and it can be smooth sailing until we meet the inevitable "body feels" that comes with the rigor of dance. So Thursday, yes, let me tell y'all how I had about three "brain farts" and the entire time my balance was not as perched as I would've liked. To top that off, during my solo run thru I did not feel strong internally. You know when you have just finished dancing the kids down (haha. totally not kidding!!!) and all of the energy you needed was there, and you're good?. I was the opposite. From class to rehearsal (dancing full out), I felt that accumulation of "whew I'm tired" and boy did it hit. So here is my point. After my solo the room filled with an inviting silence- the delicate applause of the (rehearsal) audience swarmed in. I thought to myself "Wow! I really didn't feel my strongest and this didn't feel the best but it was effective"

From class that morning to the moments I felt insecure during my solo, I could have given into those pressures and things could've gone significantly left. Instead of succumbing I chose to acknowledge the state my body was in and made the decision to benefit from it. There were times when I would allow the natural progression and workings of dance to defeat me. If I made a mistake, I wasn't competent enough. If I was unable to hold a balance, I would never be able to execute. It took me a little while to grasp this concept: off days can be more productive and fulfilling than the day's we're on but only if we take advantage of them. Don't throw yourself a pity party when you aren't as amazing as you were the day before (This has nothing to do with active consistency [ need that] but has everything to do with owning your moments). Acknowledgment will only be beneficial if you allow yourself to grow from it and be strengthened by it.