Every week a handful of new people arrive at the studio, wanting to learn to dance, people that I have never met and from different parts of the world, mostly people trying something new, looking for choreography or because their partners made them come to try. I really love this because it exposes me frequently to different kinds of people. But once in a while a person is full of joy, warm, loving and caring. People that inspire you with a smile, people that you want to be around. I imagine this perception is a bit biased, yet it is lovely to see the smile on her face and on the people interacting with her every second. Yesterday, I asked how are you and she said it was amazing, Australia is so beautiful and I had a great weekend. 20 minutes later when I got to dance with her again, I asked about her country and her eyes filled with light and with energy, she told me that she adores her country and she really enjoyed it when she was there. Honestly, I just somehow got really inspired to be a bit more aware of the impact that you can have on others.
Your presence can truly be the little push that someone needed that day, you know which days. Those when the bed is the most comfortable place, and any movement could injure your freighted heart. Some people are just beautiful. I am glad that I get to experience it. When I first arrived to Australia, one of the first friends I saw, a friend that has a similar attitude about life, a friend who sees the good in the world, that navigates through challenges like a human he is, but with that half-full glass attitude, that can find the good in anything. He was the one that took us to see Kangaroos, koalas and dingos for the first time, the friend that took me to buy my first proper jumper, because It was 23 degrees celsius, too cold for a Venezuelan like me. Now when it is 23 degrees outside I want to take my shirt off. There is so much kindness and enthusiasm in his words. I am always grateful that we are still friends. I will probably send him a message soon.
I wonder, am I like that, because a lot of people sometimes tell me those things, honestly I don’t always feel that way but I am happy to be able to sometimes be that, I love that there are people that remind me about that kindness, that happiness that is contagious. People with a simple passion for living. It is awesome. I want to know what I can do to be a bit more like them. First, just be Pedro, let the joy in you be, look for the good in people and in every situation, be kind to yourself and act with compassion, not aggressive but assertive. Let’s have a look together at the underlying frustrations that concern you. Because a lot of the tension we are living with navigates a bit deeper. Listen to your heart and your brain. Keep creating space to appreciate the good in the world. In my case, be kind and brave. Be courteous (Cortes).
I want to be clear that I am not proposing to be blinded by being positive, I want you to see the bad, the ugly of some experiences. I believe that most humans, when removing all the layers of suffering, are kind and full of joy. But life can always surprise you and take you through rough paths. But we are alive and breathing. We have an opportunity to grow and move on towards the things you want. Please take a second before you confront this next moment, take a second to experience the now, I know you need a bit more than words to be able to do that. This week I have been feeling a bit sad, but also I had great moments of bliss. Yes, life can be both at the same time. Give yourself time to cultivate a practice that allows you to appreciate now, while we still make sure that we are here living our lives.
Time is limited and every little moment is an opportunity to enjoy, every part of my body is experiencing life, and sometimes we are not present to enjoy it, let alone to share it with someone else, please while reading this line do what I am doing, breathing deeply and exhale with a little smile in your face not a big one, breath in again and make the smile slightly bigger. Now look at yourself and notice what a great beautiful human being you are. I will try my best to bring a bit more of these ideas when I am present in everything I do. It is so good to be a dancer, because the music takes over and allows me to enjoy life.
I want more people like that by my side, I know I can also be one of them and I will do my best to be honest by living my life with the true self of my heart, that despite being scared, is also full of love and joy. Thank you to all my friends that are around me.
Gracias for reading,
Pedro.