My dear dance friends, first let me say, I have never seen more incredible dancers then I have this past year! The way you move out there with your partners, your agility, amazing energy with your style and flair, blows me away! You may be amateur dancers but your determination and love of dance goes way beyond your years! This past year was also phenomenal in regard to attendance. The Fordney Foundation broke records clear across the board with participation in events and award achievement. This excitement in ballroom dance has led to more competitions being available all across the country and internationally. We represent at least 60 competitions and counting. The Fordney Foundation is proud of what our community has accomplished. Know that the dance community is strong and together we will thrive, even better than before!
That being said, we are in a new chapter of our lives. Normal has changed drastically. Let me NOT tell you what you can do with your newfound time. I’m sure you have some clues by now. More or less, I’d like you to look at life as “the new dance craze” that has taken over the world. It’s not even what you are doing this very moment, it is more important, how you are doing it. Whatever has meaning to you, whether it’s dancing to videos on line, or reading that book, you’ve been wanting to read; do it with mindfulness. Apply the same principles you use in your dance life to achieve goals (lessons, practice, planning for events, etc.) to apply to “the new dance craze.” See the new dance as requiring patience. Bring gratitude, helpfulness, good eating practices, sleeping better, and learning to calm your mind into the dance steps. Use these new dance moves to renew your faith in who you are and what you can achieve!
Lastly, I would like to pay tribute to the parents of the young dancers. You are dedicated to your children, beyond compare. You take time to nurture and guide your young dancers to great heights in ballroom dance. It is obvious your resilience and hard work has influenced these children in a great way. I ask that all of you young dancers, “Please respect and honor your parents now more than ever.” It is important for each and every one of us to work together to be part of the solution, not the problem.
Let us continue to dance with our hearts,
**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:
The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts – Marcus Aurelius
