I did it. Lived up to my end of the bargain. If you recall, I described this bargain in my very first post to this blog more than a month ago. I promised to take a dance class if Savage Rhythm would bring their inspiring business to The Monorchid. Since then I have been very busy (read: strategically otherwise-involved).
I’ve never danced before in my life – definitely not in front of a class full of people. I’ve always wanted to, but it’s terribly intimidating to me for some reason. This past Wednesday, however, I made good on my word.
I decided to wear my red Toms Brand shoes. Red: because there’s got to be some extra magic in bright red shoes, right? As it turned out, it didn’t really matter what shoes I wore. I was still a sitting duck in the crosshairs of this particular lesson in humility. Allow me to explain.
I’ve always been the kind of guy to learn things on my own, in the quiet (and the privacy) of my own space. I don’t prefer to look foolish in front of others. I prefer to practice and practice and practice on my own until I’m a BOSS at whatever it is that I’m doing. Only THEN do I feel comfortable showing it off to others.
So taking this class was a big step for me – literally something I’ve been hiding from my entire adult life. I’ve known this as a battle between my right brain and my left brain all along: the ego informing the artist in me to sit still and shut up. It can be very difficult overriding that imperative.
But back to the dance class.
What I must have looked like to everyone around me was a guy learning to dance for the first time ever. What I felt like was the unfortunate effect of some mad scientist’s splicing of the Tin Man and Pinocchio. That’s right, folks – I felt like a rusty wooden malfunction with a big heart. Here’s a picture:
Notice the complete lack of ease in the tension of my arms. I appear almost paralyzed by ineptitude. (I was.) Here’s another:
Look at my face. Note the RAPT attention. I couldn’t be more concentrated if this were the first moon landing and my direct responsibility to land the ship. Here’s one where I look like I’m doing something:
And here’s one where I stand and look confused while all the others do something:
But it wasn’t all bad. Look, here’s one where I’m both smiling and doing something:
The point of the matter is that I got to experience firsthand a really unique and exciting addition to our weekly schedule. Jonathan Lindsey and Tressa Steele are two of the coolest, most genuine and caring people you’ll ever meet. They’re also outstanding teachers.
To be honest, if it were just me and my ego alone on an island, I’d never do this again. EVER. But Jonathan and Tressa were so helpful and so encouraging that I actually think I will be attending this class again despite my insecurities.
I don’t like to be defeated by any thing, so I’m going to have to figure this dance thing out. Who better to learn from than my two new friends?
Next time, I’ll hope to see you there. Come tap me on the shoulder and let me know you read this – we can look foolish and get a good workout and have a little fun together.
– Tim
