Photo Source: https://mathematics.uchicago.edu/grow2020/
Living in these times has surely stopped us in our tracks. Most of us have had to alter our course and do what is deemed appropriate for the current situation. We’ve had a lot of time to adjust albeit not exactly thrilled to comply. It may seem like an unusual time to succeed and prosper but it is the best of times to do so.
If you stop and think about it, thinking is something that is still there with us, and thank God for that! We are still the masters of our own soul. There may be ways to turn our seemingly lackluster existence into something more. I have thought of a million ways in which we can grow—perhaps you can think of some ideas too.
One thing I know about the ballroom/dancesport community, you are not sitting around doing nothing. You all are already participating in all kinds of other exercise, yoga, dance and meditation practices. Just thought since you are already so active, why not throw in some new avenues to explore with great potential for personal growth.
First of all, it is obvious you can grow plants, flowers and food, even in apartments.
It is possible to buy planters in all kinds of shapes and sizes to fit on balconies, fit on window ledges or put in small backyards. You can buy hanging (material) shoe racks and conform them into planters too. It is possible to be part of community gardens, find out where they are in your area. Seeing something grow makes us feel good and bonds us with the earth in a healthy way.
Photo Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/308989224417118369/
You can create anything you wish to with that wonderful mind of yours. Did you know that our own Marilyn (Winkie) Fordney is one of the most extraordinary artists of our time? She designs art in so many magnificent ways in all realms. Winkie needs no pandemic to remind her to be creative; it is part of her way of life. I am that way too. If it is possible that I can picture it in my mind’s eye, I will make it happen. Creating is fun and makes us feel fulfilled while satisfying our inner soul. Creativity reduces stress and is a balancer in life.
Here’s an idea for all you dancers and musicians too. What if you could go to your local senior living facilities/center and see if you could perform in masks, outside for the people who live there? Many of these people have not been able to see friends and family or enjoy outings for sometime and would probably be delighted by your performance and your interest in them.
Photo Source: https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/mobile/cellist-gives-first-live-performance-in-weeks-to-seniors-from-outside-their-home-1.4936608
Read books. Simply said, books give us perspective and different points of view. You can learn from other people as well as educate yourself on any subject you can think of. There is so much to learn about in this world. Be responsible for your own education.
Let us not forget about the old ways of communication. You will make someone’s day if you send a card or letter to someone you haven’t been able to see in awhile. Of course, it goes without saying, please stay in touch with people by communicating with them, the best way you can. It shows you care and will help keep you connected and centered as well.
Come what may, let us all appreciate what we have while we continue to think of new ideas, thrive and grow.
***We have received contributions from individuals who would like to have a dear relative or friend who passed on remembered that loved to dance or was a dance aficionado. We call these memorial contributions. Perhaps you would like to have someone memorialized in this manner. Make a donation and give us their name. We have on our website a yellow brick road to engrave their name to a brick as a memorial to that person. This contribution will assist future generations of dancers and help keep young people more positive and healthy.
Thought Of The Week:
"If we want to grow, the way to break a pattern of negativity is to face anything negative with love" - Molly Friedenfeld
