Nearly a nearly decade ago, a friend approached me with a concerned intervention of sorts. They were fully (and falsely) convinced that my music led life preoccupied way too much of my energy and time- to my demise. Implying and even outright saying that I'm wasting away my potential for the things of much greater consequence, to them that is.
It was clear what their feigned concern was actually about- their projected insecurities. I scoffed heavily (in my head). Music and dancing is my natural proclivity and what I love more than anything. Which goes well beyond the delight that I feel at any given moment. Because it propels me to thrive and is when I feel most alive- and adds a much needed velocity to my vitality off the dancefloor.
Though annoyed, I innately knewthat this lecture wasn’t born of ill intent. Their mind just couldn’t comprehend that D.A.N.C.E is ingrained in my D.N.A. I'm a dancer before a human being. And I don't feel that way, I’m built that way. Molecularly and granularly at a quantum level. I’m swirls and twirls of gas and matter synchronized to sound, expressed emotively through movement. I quickly forgave the…misreading, and we carried on and on and on.
Why some people find it unthinkable that music can be the conduit of existence perplexes me. Like anything, it has potential to be healthy and positive when handled with discipline and respect for oneself.
A music led life is equally as valid as the cookie cutter one so many are raised to aspire to. Let’s face it, the prototypical social order can certainly be a casualty of its own disorders stemming from hyper-capitalism, patriarchy and the oppressive aspects of religion.
Not convinced?
Think about it. Is a life spent chasing dollars to the detriment of others a pious pursuit or one of egregious ego? I suppose it somewhat depends on an individual’s perspective and motivations. But zooming out to a macro view, in many cases its merits can fall to the bottom of the totem pole. Any activity under the sun or moon has potential to be as destructive as prancing proclivities have the potential to be. Or not be.
How each of us navigate our choices is one of the biggest determining factors that makes it so or not so.
Have you faced similar judgement? And does it have you questioning your decisions? Ask yourself- where do I find my joy? And is how I’m spending my time and energy of additive or depletive value? Those answers will help lead you towards a path that's right- specifically for you- at least for this very moment.
Whatever your conclusion is, don’t let some judgy-wudgy square convince you that you’re supposed to fit in a downward spiral of their choosing. It’s not all fa-la-la land of course; because there are aspects- social, financial, etc, that are realities which most of us must bend to. But I refuse to let these societal pressures herd me into an unnatural way of my own being.
Balance is the name of the long game. And the increasingly chaotic, erratic energy of the world DEMANDS that I- and perhaps WE dig into the who, what and where that makes us feel good, soothes us, recharges us and centers us.
I support this message 100%. Well said and here for it 👏🪩💃