Heritage Classic 2013: Postscript

Postscript: The week of the Heritage dance competition is finally over.   Last night was filled with packing, last minute chores, a nice dinner/dance, more competition and a professional show that was top notch. A few last thoughts to complete the week as I return back to earth after 5 days of competing. The phrase of the day is:

Feeling comfortable out of your element.

Took the initiative to meet some of the student dancers my age, both male and female. This is unusual for me, being timid and feeling out of place in the maze of numerous young talented dancers. But increasingly, as I gain familiarity and overall confidence that I belong, I am feeling part of the scene. People notice me on the dance floor and say nice things.

My new acquaintances all have one thing in common: they feel comfortable despite being out of their element.  Those fifth and sixth decade Doctors, business owners, retired engineers, and wealthy entrepreneurs come to the ballroom scene feeling pretty silly. Many of them tell the same story.  Their spouse recently passed, and they have decided to venture out beyond their comfort zone.  None of these folks are deadbeats. The ballroom dance world is not for the faint of heart in terms of costs and time commitments. They extol the virtues of ballroom dancing but must also put in the time and effort to prepare for these very revealing events. They are naked for the world to see them for better or worse.  The most miserable scenario is that you try your best and you still suck at dancing.  The most most miserable scenario is that you try your best year after year and you never improve and you suck at dancing. Only time will reveal whether you qualify for one of these insalubrious characterizations.

Fortunately, most people improve over time.  The question is how much and whether you want to stick with it or not. The students I talked to seemed committed to the long haul; the pleasures that they extol far outweigh the reality of their limited dance skills. But then again, they wouldn’t be there if they didn’t feel that way. Defectors have long gone and wouldn’t likely be seen mulling around the dance competition.

Life has its way of throwing curve balls.  One tragic loss of life and love compels one to make change.  So many things can happen.  Some resort to a quick marriage to the first person that comes around. Depression, suicide, alcoholism, drug abuse, just about any pathology you can think of happens after the loss of a spouse. Others come up with a more positive solution. Ballroom dancing has the potential to heal some of the gaping wounds left from the ravages and heartbreaks of life.  At least it has for me.