YOU my dear, are more valuable than any award or trophy- First of all let's get one thing out of the way. We, as competitive dancers, want to win. The feeling of working day after day, hour after hour, spilling our blood, sweat and tears, only to be rewarded with a first place overall, a special award, a scholarship, makes it all seem worthwhile. Right? Right, except for the times we don't win, the times we fail, or forget, or miss a step.
We as dancers, and humans in general, need to learn to accept our defeats, and not to let them define us. We also need to recognize that there will be times when we work our hardest and give our all, and we still don't win. Which is ok too. You see it's a very subjective art, and we are competing in the most difficult sport there is. I say most difficult because we are constantly striving for a PERFECTION that doesn't exist! We are always practicing to be a version of flawlessness that is unattainable! We need to allow ourselves some slack, and not take criticism to heart, but take corrections back to the studio with us, and apply them. There is always room for improvement, in dance and in real life.
So when you go to a competition, dance your HEART out, try your hardest, push yourself to the limit, and know that you are MORE than enough! Whether you get 1st overall, or don't place at all, you are amazing! Enjoy your dance family, because these are the sisters of your heart. Appreciate your dance teacher, as they love you like you are their own children! Try to enjoy and live in the moment, and treasure these memories, because in the end you will remember the feeling of being a family and a team more than any medal or trophy gathering dust on a shelf.........
Love from, Arabella
Follow Arabella on Instagram @arabella.dancer
Photo: Andy Yu Photography