Published in SC Sentinel March 31
By Peggy Pollard, Santa Cruz Waltz & Swing www.PeggyDance.weebly.com Can dance really bring peace to the world? Really? Can a dance unite bitter enemies across the globe? I say it can. Oleksandr was nervous opening the door into the studio for his first ballroom dance lesson of the contest. But at 28 years old Oleks felt ready to improve his partnering skills. So he jumped in . . . BIG. He entered a national pro-am competition, knowing his teacher would help him learn powerful skills he wanted. Olek’s nervous giggles accompanied his first awkward steps with her. But he swallowed his embarrassment, practiced hard, and learned the footwork, frame and subtle communications required to lead his powerful partner. Oleks knew such skills would be very useful in his career. So he kept at it, knowing every step was a step in the right direction for him. His first week he learned Swing dance. To keep him humble, he wore a neon-pink Elvis costume. They danced successfully. Over the next weeks Oleksander danced Quickstep in a Charlie Chaplin getup, Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot. He mastered the rhythm of leading: share a step, lead the move, read her response. His skills grew more sophisticated, deftly channeling his partner’s energy in perfect unity, beyond thinking, into a state of harmonious flow. With each choreography they became more creative, more risky, even doing a dance blindfolded. The audience ahhhed, then roared in approval. Each week of the contest was a new win. And this dance contest had a BIG audience: the entire nation. Sweaty and glowing, Oleks and teacher won first place that glorious season of Dancing With The Stars, Ukraine version. In the glory of winning, each knew they were on the right track in life. If they could partner with such successful complexity, they could do anything. For Oleksandr, this victory was just one early step in his meteoric career. What he learned in partner dancing helped him achieve even greater victories, gaining fame in his country, then around the world. Partner dancing has indeed helped Oleksandr to achieve greatness as a leader, not only on the dance floor, but in his job, as a high commander in the Ukraine war. He is now in international news, connecting in successful partnerships with many of the most powerful people in the world. The amazing, creative victories you are seeing daily in the news this month is thanks to excellent leadership skills by Oleks, or as you may know him now, in his more muted costume, a plain green t-shirt, Volodymyr Oleksander Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine. See a video of his championship season dance medley youtu.be/TlJywp7E3Gw (thanks to Dr. Bob Blum for sharing) So my friends, you tell me, does dancing really solve the problems of the world? Let’s put it this way. If that OTHER neighboring leader starting this evil war had learned the deep satisfaction of harmonious partner dancing, their two nations would not be in this military dance of destruction -- the opposite of successful partner dancing. Perhaps he failed at Cotillion? In fact, if Mr. P. had discovered the deep sense of honorable self-worth – that all the yachts and gilded palaces cannot give -- well, he wouldn’t feel such a selfish need to chase glory by crushing others. (and bringing shame instead) So let us not take that terrible path. Instead, let’s walk in Oleks’ better direction, toward truth, goodness, and hope. “Life will win over death and light will win over darkness” -- Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine This month, everyone I know feels so depressed about the terrible war news, because they feel helpless to do anything about it. But instead of ignoring the news, a better antidote to our depression is to take a positive action. To do something, any positive action no matter how small, is a step in the right direction. It changes us. So, this month’s Santa Cruz Waltz & Swing, we danced to Ukrainian music. Only a small thing, I know. But it immediately felt good for us to take a small dance step in honor of those suffering. Doing so connects our spirits to the Ukrainian people. We imagine their lives. We share a bit of beauty from their culture. We grow affection in our heart for them. (Glory to Ukraine, Glory to the Heroes!) Yes, dancing is good for not only your physical heart but your spiritual heart … Dance can even be a form of prayer, that invisible channel sending blessings to those who need it. Then don’t stop there. Chase that good feeling. Let your dance prayer inspire you to MORE good action. Donate to a worthy charity (suggestions on my website) and do more good in the world. But start with taking your first step… in the RIGHT direction. Be a part of how dancing really does solve all the problems of the world. www.peggyDance.weebly.com
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
|