Dreams of Dancing
I was born with two left feet and no rhythm. I am sure rhythm must be a genetic rather than a learned trait. Not to say that my momma can’t dance, as the song goes… love ya mom! I love to dance but I hate dancing in front of people. I can never stop imagining what a fool I must be making of myself. How everyone must be snickering at me…
My insecurity probably started with my very first boyfriend. Puppy love. I was twelve. He was sixteen. Anyway, he took me to a high school dance and we had a good time, or so I thought. Until a few days later when he informed I couldn’t dance and how embarassed he was. But no worries, he would teach me how to dance. Um… no. I broke up with him shortly after. I mean, really, who was he to talk? He was sixteen and dorky and dating a twelve year old, maybe because there weren’t any high school girls who would date him??? Anyway, now the belief that I couldn’t dance was in my mind.
Time went on, I danced a little here and there, not well, not comfortably. It didn’t bother me too much. I still danced alone when no one was watching.
The no rhythm thing came up again with my kids’ dad. In addition to everything else he teased me about, he loved teasing me that I didn’t have rhythm. We danced here and there, somewhat comfortably, especially after I’d downed a few drinks… I had my kids and danced with them, as long as, again, no one else was watching.
Once my daughter became a little older, I was determined that she wouldn’t follow in my off beat footsteps. She now takes Tahitian hula classes and gets better by the day. She’s going to be great! I practice with her (still too shy to wiggle in front of others) and have improved a little. My kids are my greatest cheerleaders. My daughter tells me “Mom, you’re soooo good!”
I dream of the day that I impulsively start dancing, leaving any naysayers with the realization that I can dance, it just took me a long time to learn.
“Work like you don’t need the money, love like you’ve never been hurt, and dance like no one is watching.”
–Satchel Paige
December 2nd, 2005 at 5:18 am
You’re suppose to dance like nobody’s watching. *L* We are all great dancers in our mind, its a different story on the floor sometimes. Still….you gotta keep dancing. So dance on….
Malama pono.
December 2nd, 2005 at 12:16 pm
Boogie Woogie Girlfriend! Ya can Dance and let no one tell ya otherwise!
So, when we going out to Rumors? heheheheh
Lynn
December 2nd, 2005 at 8:55 pm
just a few on the dance floor can really dance well. uncle Herman (I have no idea where he is now) could get up in front of the band and dance impromptu by himself and without a partner, and the audience would be just captivated. most people can’t even girate. I enjoy watching ballroom dancing. taxi dance too, orchid ballroom Smith Street, ho ho. The popolos got the dance moves wired with the hip and okole gyrations.
December 5th, 2005 at 12:34 pm
Also not all dancing is the same, as you probably noticed when contrasting hula and the high-school bump’n'grind. I took years of ballet lessons, but (and I’m sure you’ll giggle as you recall) was as hapless (hopeless, helpless) at a school dance as anyone. These days I gravitate toward partner dances where the man is leading. That way I don’t really have to decide how to move, I simply clear my mind, move to the music, and follow the lead. There are lots of different dances with the charming property (for women) that they barely need to think at all, just react. Some favorites: (Argentine) Tango, Salsa, Swing, Ballroom, Vintage, Zydeco (=cajun)… the list goes on. Find a group class, go by yourself or with a partner, try it, it’s fun!
December 14th, 2005 at 8:43 am
…almost Christmas. when the other Story? hahahaha
Lynn