I’ll rise up
Rise like the day
I’ll rise up
In spite of the ache
I will rise a thousand times again
And we’ll rise up
High like the waves
We’ll rise up
In spite of the ache
We’ll rise up
And we’ll do it a thousand times again

If you’ve been here a while, you know that I sometimes ramble about various things – the thoughts in my head, something I may have read, a video from Ted.. (ha!  I made a rhyme!)

The feeling, the realization that overwhelmed me this morning is how critical we can be in the dance world, how easy it can be to judge others…and I realize I too have judged others.  I have based my opinions on my own definition of what a dance “is”…and “isn’t”, what’s “good” and “not good”.

This is very different than evaluating dances for yourself, how you responded to it, did you connect to it, what you liked about it, what you didn’t like.  An impartial evaluation.   One with no emotional response tied to it, no judgement of the artist who created it, or that they “didn’t do it right”.  One where you are open minded and appreciate the effort when a choreographer puts their heart and soul into a dance, and does their best, following their own vision.

We don’t limit works of art such as painting and sculpture, why do we limit dance?  Perhaps we should seek the message within the dance, however the choreographer chose to communicate it, using whatever tools, whatever knowledge and skill they have to apply to it.  Perhaps we should appreciate and hopefully see the growth of a choreographer over time, as they expand in their skill and find their own voice through dance.  When we have the opportunity, even support them in their growth, in whatever way that may be.

Perhaps we should celebrate the successes along the way, and those that dance simply because they must…because it is a form of expression.

It is a slippery slope, giving positive encouragement while not giving false praise.  I once performed a dance, some time ago thankfully, that was truly horrid.  Due to lack of planning and procrastination on my part I’d slapped something together and performed it…racing to the finish line, just so that I ‘had something’.  I truly didn’t understand the comments “that was wonderful, amazing, beautiful”.  I knew it could be wonderful, but it wasn’t, not nearly, and that was my own doing.  There was no passion or effort put into it, and to me, I could feel that.

One thing that will not change?  To me, dance in SL is art, it is communication.  I believe in the purity of it, in the need to create because we must.  Not for the praise, not for the tips, but because of that innate desire to create and to share.  That is heart and soul, and without that…a performance loses its color for me.

As I put these thoughts down, I process them at the same time, relieved that they are no longer swirling in my head.  What will I take from this?  Personally, it is this:

   To truly focus on experiencing the performances of others, with an open mind, to offer support and encouragement where it is welcomed. 
   To appreciate the true effort choreographers make in their self expression through dance in this world. 
   To remember the difference between evaluating a dance for my own knowledge, compared to judging a dancer or their creation.

I will continue to create, to try, to celebrate my successes and my failures, because it is by overcoming the fear of failure that we can reach new heights.  While looking for a quote, I came across this one, and this one stays:

“I’ll lift you and you lift me, and we’ll both ascend together.”

May you soar freely, and always dance to the music in your head.
~ Eva

Rise Up: