One day after a specially good session I happened to remark, ‘This track I can dance to, in my sleep’. And that was how I put my big fat foot right into my mouth. A little later, when the instructor asked ‘Who knows Bailando and can lead the class today?” I heard a bunch of voices chorusing out a name – yeah mine!
Damn!! Damn!! Damn!! was all my blank mind went while I tried to hide away wishing I would completely disappear. It’s one thing to stand in my inconspicuous corner and do my own thing and quite another to stand right there before the class. It’s like saying just because you can chat up friends you can deliver a speech – not quite the same thing huh?
This here was my nightmare.
However before I could protest, the music had struck up and there I was blundering my way through, forgetting steps I’d done scores of time, steps I knew well, steps that I did pretty well in my small corner! I wish I could say I was suddenly magically perfect like in the movies. I wasn’t. Let me just say I survived and wasn’t booed away. The girls are too sweet.
The best thing though is, that the dreadful dread is gone….. for ever. I might never do it again. But I know I can do it, I did it once, right? That’s so hugely liberating.
We shy off from doing things – fun challenging things – making a huge deal out of them. Sometimes we fear we will be less that perfect, sometimes we’re victims of our own self-image.
Breaking through all of that is freedom.
So from my new-found perspective I can tell you to dance that dance, sing that song, deliver that speech, run that race, get that LBD. Draw, paint, try a trek, take a dip in the sea – as long as you’re having fun and can laugh at yourself, chances are you’ll get by pretty well.
Don’t wait to be earth shattering. Don’t wait to be perfect. Don’t postpone joy.
Now that is what it is all .. you are right GO FOR IT .. so I read your reply above no video any pics 🙂 he he he
three cheers to ZUMBA
Bikram's
No way Bikram.. No proof of the deed at all 🙂
Nice one Tulika.. yes. Sometimes we are victims of our own self image ☺
Yes we are. And that's the worst thing to happen.
Tulika, Nike says, 'Just do it', and you did just that. We all have fears lurking inside our heads and sometimes we let them overwhelm us. But the key is to defeat them in any small way we can. Thanks for your inspirational post.
Absolutely right Sulekha. Glad you found it inspiring.
I have heard so much about Zumba. Great that you tried it and are truly enjoying it.
Rachna I recommend it to everyone so I'll say it again – try it.
Do it again, Tulika! And this time, volunteer!! I'm positive you'll actually enjoy it next time around!
Roshni ha ha ha… Now that's a long shot.
I love this! Don't postpone joy… New motto for the week!
It's a good motto to have. I've borrowed it too.
Tulika, wonderful post! And I totally agree – I need to work on this too.. not that I am waiting to be earth-shattering or perfect, but in my case, I just need to be totally comfortable being me in front of a crowd. (in a crowd, I am; in front of one, that is a different matter!)
Good luck Lady in Red. Do try it, sometimes we surprise ourselves.
You can DO it all!
ROG, ABCW
Right Roger – that's all one needs to believe. 🙂
"Don't wait to be earth shattering. Don't wait to be perfect. Don't postpone joy." Very well said…And, I it is due to some wonderful people (you know who) that I'm able to take baby steps towards breaking the shackles of my mind that says don't show off your ignorance to the world, wait till you are better. But, then there will always be scope for improvement and perhaps I'd have lost my chance to be under the sun by then, isn't it? Lovely post, Tulika!
Uma I thought of you when I did the post! Keep singing and sharing.
Beautiful post. Dance the way to heaven and such art forms always give us some first hand experience right:)
Right Vishal. It's fun all the way.
Oh boy…I don't know if I would have weathered this experience as well as you. Zumba is fun…
Well I didn't think that either. You won't know till you give it a shot.
This is lovely tulika..now is as good a time as any other to do whatever we like
Wish I'd understood this earlier.
Hooray! Sometimes the imperfect leads are best … they make everyone feel less self-conscious about making mistakes. 🙂
Absolutely. Although all of that was far far from my mind then. Thanks for dropping by Justine.
Please tell me somebody took a video of you dancing. Please! I need something to make me laugh on the days I'm down 😉
No videos thank god – no proof I ever did it. Come to think of it I could have used the video to make ME laugh on down days too.
Love the message. But more that you lead the class!
I'm sure it was quite a sight Mel 🙂
Well said–and well done!
Thanks Pamela.
Beautifully Said! Get on the hot seat and start doing,fears vanish and talents emerge.
It wasn't a case of 'talent emerging' for me but the 'fear vanishing' definitely did happen :-).
That was a general comment and not for you!!
Got it PK.