At some point or another, there might be times where we all experience the pain and grief which comes with falling short of self-expectations. I've had several bittersweet lessons taught to me by these experiences. The most poignant is what I learned after quitting dance. It still serves as a reminder to strive for what you love and never give up no matter how hard things seem.
My love of dancing stemmed from a passion for both music and the arts. I found it natural to combine the two into a beautiful, emotional release. I went to competitions all around the Southern Illinois area and performed at many well-known events, including a St. Louis Cardinal's game. I didn't just love what I did; I was good at it. I always got commended in my class and got picked as the class example for my talent and ability to catch on to the movements. .
However, I was in a state that kills most teenagers. I was in the dreaded identity crisis stage. I wasn't sure of who I was or what was right. I ended up giving up the pastime I loved most because of the self-doubts and unrealistic image I had of life. I remember thinking that dancing would never take me anywhere in life. I failed myself by leaving dance. I didn't realize how much I loved it, until I left it .
Failure happens to the best of us all. It's in our human nature to expect perfection in ourselves and in the situations around us even though it is far out of our control or comprehension. Sometimes events seem to happen for specific reasons and it feels like lessons are almost predestined to be learned. Whether these lessons are to be learned shortly after or over a period of time, they all help to enrich our lives and inspire us to look deeper into the journey of life.