Sometimes you need a good dose of reality, a knock on the head, a wake up call. You don't get to this age without people close to you falling ill, being injured or leaving this earth way too soon. And lately I feel like I'm getting slammed with bad news, enough to break my heart. It certainly makes you do some soul searching, & makes you so grateful for what you have & what you can still do.
For today I am so grateful that I have no aches & pains. I am so grateful that I can still dance. I am so grateful for the dear people I've surrounded myself with. I'm grateful for every day I wake up.
And so I recently put the eyelashes on, put the costume in the bag, & headed off to perform in my comfort zone - a small venue with live music. I hadn't prepared, didn't know what the musicians would play, I tried practicing around the house a bit but decided I was better off just leaving it to chance. But I went without reservation, which is more than I can say for my usual fussing & balking. I did it to celebrate this newfound gratefulness, to honor my friends who don't have the luxury of that choice: to dance or not. Because if you can do it, then why not? Why not say "I've survived, I'm still here & I'll dance while I still can".
I watched a documentary on Loretta Lynn, one of many older artists who has inspired the younger generation. Musicians tend to have a reverence for their elders that dancers don't have. Dance can be a little superficial. Young & beautiful = respect. Old = has-been. But why do I have to care about such shallowness? If I can still dance, can still express myself, then I should. So from now on I will try on my new attitude & just do what I want. Isn't that one of the benefits of old age? The right to not care what anyone else thinks, to just do what I do because I want to? I'm going to ride that wave a while, in honor of those who can't. With love.
Hurrah! It's about time. Lol no pun intended. Thank goodness. We have a mission dear one to bring the light of the feminine to a dark and sad world. So keep bringing the light. I love you and am so happy to hear that you are feeling better. Peace and love to you in the highest and best truth.
ReplyDeleteLove you always Selena. May our paths cross again soon
DeleteYes! Yes! Yes! That is exactly the way you should feel. I can cry about what I have lost, or rejoice in what I still have. We choose to dance because we can, anyone who doesn't want to see it can turn their heads, but we will still dance.
ReplyDeleteYes yes yes. Well stated! Thank you
DeleteBeautiful Kamala....Dance On!.....xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing this and for your dance!
ReplyDeleteThank you Joie, I appreciate that!!
DeleteYes! Never miss a chance to dance!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely darlin! I started this dance in 1975. I'm 63 now and while I dont' do the 2-piece bedlah look anymore (word to the wise) I will continue dancing until they drag my wrinkly old arse off the stage!
ReplyDeleteI do worry at times that I may be making a fool of myself. But then I have to dance, I just have to, or I know I will be miserable. I NEVER miss a chance to dance. I too am so grateful I get the chance. Bless you for your wonderful words. I will remember your words as inspiration. Thank you. Roxanne/Sharonne Age 65.
ReplyDeletevry nice
ReplyDeletehttp://www.reckonentertainment.com/belly-dancer/