paint your passion

Life is simple. It's about being happy. It's about being happy with others and with that it's got its moments and layers.

I like to think of life's many facets like a painting. I'm not super creative or artistic but I appreciate a good piece of artwork for its beauty, even if I don't completely understand how it was conceived or what the artist meant to convey. There is a never-ending range of colors, or elements, that can make up one's life, all of which are determined by the painter, the artist, you. You pick and choose the colors and decide how much or how little you will use or allow on your canvas. In the beginning, we may have strong influences that may guide us to use certain colors with different measures of intensity, but as we learn and grow, we are able to paint over what has been done for us. Those other colors cannot be removed, but they can be covered or complimented by our choosing. It's completely beautiful in its own way, in a way that only you can really grasp because you live it.

I am happy because of this point of view; however, I am not content. I am not satisfied unless I am striving to do more. I want to do good in this world. It's like that time my brother and I went to Universal Studios and we rode The Incredible Hulk Coaster eight times in a row. We were in our late and mid-twenties, respectively. We loved it so much that one ride was not enough. I'd certainly love to live out the rest of my life similarly. I want to keep riding that good ride and continue to help others and maybe, in turn, feel contentment and satisfaction.

"There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." Nelson Mandela

practice

Some people say they don’t know how to do it. Others claim they require liquid courage just to consider it. I lived and breathed it for more than 20 years. I began dance at the age of five at my local dance studio beginning with tap and ballet. Throughout my tenure as a dancer, I experimented with break dance, ballroom and gymnastics and excelled all the way to a handful of years choreographing, traveling and teaching. The picture below is a look at my second year of dance in 1993.

 

Dance is an art form performed using movement of the body. It was my fad exercise for the majority of my life. Dance many times has a positive impact on human mental and physical health. It is a fun form of cardiovascular exercise that burns calories and strengthens muscles. Dance was always an enjoyable activity that never felt like a workout. In my years since using dance as regular exercise, I've tried running and lifting weights, which have always been groan-worthy events.

I find myself watching dance videos and yearning for the days of flexibility, endurance and fun through dance class and performance. So I've been on a mission to find a dance studio where I can get back to the dance floor and look forward to an exercise routine once again.

As soon as I find that studio where I can rediscover my favorite hobby, I'll post about it here. Until then, I'd love to hear your stories on your favorite hobbies. Feel free to post in the comments or reach me directly on Twitter!

I'll leave you with a compilation video of my favorite dance group, the Jabbawockeez.