Li´on-heart` (lī´ŭn`härt`)
adj. 1. Exceptionally courageous or brave.
n. 1. A very brave person.
This is it, what I have been planning for. What I have held dear to me. This is all of me, wrapped in to one whole package, the beautiful events, the lessons and most of all encompassing gratitude for this life. There will be the grand announcement, a fantastic celebration and, I am sure, a lot of questions. Many events have brought me here and before I raise my glass to the effort and hard work, I want to share. Part of what has driven me to rebrand and regroup is my passion for sharing. Sharing what is real, sharing what I have, sharing my everything. So many of us never know who we are, we never know who our neighbor is. We only skim the surface. How would we ever know more, if no one ever shares their victories, their defeats, their fears and their honest life stories. I know, that there is nothing more endearing to me than when you meet someone, and with out hesitation tell you their life. Not just the good parts, but the screw ups, and most importantly what they learned. It is so rich to me. The largest component of this is sharing, on my part, with everyone, everything. Unfiltered, with emotion, laughter, tears, dreams, inspirations, words and many many images.
Sometimes we live our life in ways that are not truly authentic to who we are. I have learned so much in the last few years, specifically the last several months , about myself, human nature, and most of all love. I have asked many many questions. Who am I ? What am I doing? Why am I doing it? What would I like to change? How can I live more fully? There were so many questions racing in my mind. Any artist knows, that creativity runs deeper than the art we produce. It can create mental chaos, it can create and see beauty in anything, it can make vivid untruths that plague us as if they were real.... some of those being self defeating. At some point we all fall victim to our own mind. Learning to channel all of this creative energy has brought me, and will continue to bring me to new artistic levels. I am my own challenger. There is no comparison, there is no end of the race. It is just the passion to live authentically, to my fullest potential as a human being. I can not think of a better gift to give my daughter, than to live by example. No preaching necessary.
The last 6 months have been some of the most trying of my life. I learned one of the hardest lessons I have ever had to learn, and in the end it broke me more than it helped. Ouch. What do you do when you reach the place of mental exhaustion and self defeat? You pick your ass up, and find one thing, just one, that will make you look forward to tomorrow. I can thank my daughter for that. Every day after, I chose to find something else, to live for me. I started checking things off my "Bucket List". Before I knew it, I was happier than I had ever been, and inspired in ways that I never dreamed. One of my favorite quotes, that I have always reflected on during challenging times in my life is:
"In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer." ~Camus
Oh how this is true. When you can go to hell and smile when you get back, you learn to trust yourself. Even after you have royally screwed up. :) At the end of the day, I knew that it was time for change, a new idea was born, and the wheels started turning. I tried new things, surprised myself and had a very good dose of learning who the people I can count on are. I have a few friends, you know who you are, that I would guard with my life, because you have loved me, and accepted me with out judgement. I have made new friends and have been pleasantly surprised. The more I share, the more I realize that there are others like me. People that have a passion for their dreams. While checking off to-dos on my Bucket List, I made arrangements for dance classes. So many years had passed since I last danced, and I truly missed the physical expression. I really don't know what I expected. I don't think I expected what I got. I missed my first class. I was was early to the second (my first), and was met with a kind and inquisitive smile from Eduardo, the owner of Paso Dance Studios. I was slightly lost in the beginning of my first class, however I managed to catch up and have a great time. I knew I would be hooked. After my second class, I knew I would be visiting the studio for private lessons. I knew this was something that I wanted to do well. There are some people that you know immediately, have something about them that is a little different. I couldn't place what exactly this was when I met Eduardo during the group lesson, however, after my first private lesson I knew exactly what was different about him. He is a fellow artist, and amazing instructor. He spent our first lesson teaching me how to walk. Yes. Walk. I am aware that it was a dance lesson. Ever since I can remember, I have hit the ground running. Sometimes, this isn't always a good thing. This must have been apparent to him. There was an incredible amount of patience in his instruction, and determination to help me understand the most basic element of Salsa dancing. I appreciated this in so many ways that had nothing to do with dancing. While I laid in bed that night, I gained perspective on my own endeavors, looked closely how starting from the very basics had served me in the past, and how I needed to apply that philosophy now, while patiently saving all of my creative energy. There were conversations with Eduardo after this, regarding his teaching methods and life in general. Rarely am I truly surprised by someone, and I have to say that I feel like I got more of a lesson than what I paid for. In life. I also gained a like minded friend, for which I am grateful. Please check out his website, www.PasoDanceStudios.com where you will find a wealth of information on Salsa dancing and class schedules. Amazing instructors, fun classes, and interesting people. ( Thank you Fernande for your patience and peaceful nature during the group classes!!) Anyone can do this, and it is so very rewarding.
1982, Dancing with my Bear.....
For my friend:
Eduardo, Thank you for taking the time to stop me in my tracks and present the very basics for me to learn. In our conversations you expressed your wishes to give me the gift of dance, however, you have given me so much more. Reflection, appreciation for myself, renewed faith in my ability to learn new things, and a sense of direction with my work that I had misplaced. You are such an inspiring person and beautiful human being. I look forward to your continued teaching and friendship. JG
Gratitude will be a theme for my writings here, part of sharing, to express my thanks to others for what they do, who they are and perhaps shed light on their unique gifts that they generously or even unknowingly bestow upon others. Thank you for reading, following me, and sharing my journey. Everywhere I have been is who I am, and I am a Lionheart. It is easy to share superficial notes on life....it takes courage to tell the truth and live authentically.
Happy Easter and Best Wishes for your own new beginnings....
Love,
Jamie