The question should be, is it worth trying to do, not can it be done.
Allard Lowenstein
Do you ever occasionally look at one of your children and wonder where the heck they could have come from, seeing as how they operate on a different plane than you do?
Meet 2 of 8.
She's who I want to be when I grow up.
Pursuing dance the way she does, with her dedication, her discipline, she continues to sprinkle little shiny specks of wisdom glitter on the surface of my life.
She has already made the decision to attend a particular ballet intensive camp this summer. The paperwork is turned in, the process underway.
But she is continuing to audition for other ballet intensives, knowing that scheduling will most likely impede her ability to attend these other intensives.
So what is the point in continuing to audition, you ask? I asked the same question.
But according to 2 of 8, the opportunity to practice and stretch and overcome nervousness and to be willing to perform for the joy of the dance regardless of the outcome and to experience the developmental critique on the part of her examiners will all serve to increase the level of her dance.
Oh.
Because I don't know about you, but if I've nailed down an opportunity, I don't like putting myself out there for more tweaking and nerves and heart palpitations.
But then, I'm not as mature as 2 of 8. Even though I birthed her.
I guess wisdom and maturity require that you put yourself in the position to grow and learn. Which 2 of 8 is willing to do. Even when she doesn't have to.
And regardless of the level of dance she achieves, I do know this. Her spirit is graceful and beautiful and flexible. And her spirit can dance.
Are you willing to push yourself beyond, just to reach a higher level of excellence? Are there areas in your life you wish you had been willing to do that? Or is there something knocking on your heart's door right now that you know would be scary and wonderful and challenging and maturing? Write your own post on this topic and put the url of that post and your name in the Mister Linky's box below or share with a comment. Stretch a little!
WOW how incredibly inspiring. Our 1 of 3 (hehe) is just like that but she stives in Music and academic excellence. And yes i would so love to be like these two girls when i grow up!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I do love coming here on a Monday :)
*stRives not stives :S
ReplyDeleteAwhh she sounds so cute!! El impresses me daily with her diligents to her puppies. She dotes on them and it just makes me smile.
ReplyDeleteWhen I became a teacher of the gifted and talented we learned about the different motivations of these students. Suprisingly many of them were satisfied with just getting by unless the were met with a particular challenge. I can see that 2 of 8 definitely sees these auditions as a challenge worth meeting. Good for her.
ReplyDeleteWow. Just wow.
ReplyDeleteHow impressive! I'm always amazed at the dedication some young people show.... Hooray for 2 of 8 and for her dancing spirit!
ReplyDeleteRoban
Sometimes. If it is something I'm talented in then I don't mind pushing myself, sometimes. I can totally relate to 2 of 8. Sometimes. And other times, I'm just lazy.
ReplyDeleteI love what you said about her spirit being able to dance. That's beautiful.
Wow - she is admirable!
ReplyDeleteI have trouble pushing myself. I think I fear success every bit as much as I fear failure.
Isn't it amazing what we can learn from our kids, if only we are willing. She is lucky to have you, and you are lucky to have her.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, did you get my message about the homeschool shirt that I won?
Have a great week!
I love it when our children teach us things! She sounds lovely.
ReplyDeleteThere are times when I am willing to push myself, but many more when I am not, especially if I have already mastered something. Sadly, my chickies have this same trait - the willingness to master something and then move on to something else. Your 2 of 8 sounds like a lovely girl.
ReplyDeletethe discipline it takes to practice dance is incredible to me. your daughter, 2 of 8, is what I want to be when I grow up. I gave up on dance, gymnastics and running a very long time ago because a lacked discipline. and her continuous effort and putting herself out there for critics is so brave!
ReplyDeleteshe rocks!
She is quite impressive. I can't say I push myself much these days ...
ReplyDeleteMy daughter dances for Ballet Magnificat (balletmagnificat.com). It is a Christian ballet company owned by little Ricky from I Love Lucy. They travel all around USA spreading the Gospel through dance. My daughter got interested when she read about it in the Brio magazine from Focus on the Family many years ago. It's a wonderful company! Your daughter should check it out.
ReplyDeleteLove, Lori
How inspiring is your sweet 2 of 8?! What a great example for us to constantly stretch and challenge ourselves.
ReplyDeleteUhm, rock star?!
ReplyDelete(Yes, she is.)
I'm terrible at receiving criticsm, even the constructive type. But at the same time, I'm a people-pleaser. Identity crisis.
She sounds like a wonderful girl.
ReplyDeleteDrats....already did a post today and it was about my daughters To Do List! Doesn't quite fit. :)
She really is an amazing young lady. I'll bet you and she are more alike than you admit... she had to get it from somewhere!
ReplyDeleteI also have a daughter who is more mature than me! I noticed that as soon as she was born, just looking into her eyes. She has proved it again and again during her 23 years of life.
ReplyDeleteHer drive is an inspiration to me, and I'm 31. Thanks for sharing the great stories of your family.
ReplyDeletei just LOVE YOU
ReplyDeleteNO really.
I think you are SOOOOOO KEWL.
i am constantly being challenged by your posts..... and I'm honestly clueless about my "higher level of excellence".... but I know that I will get there. Lord willing;-)
This is why I get so frustrated when I hear people say "kids these days blah blah blah" Don't put them all in the one basket. There are the amazing 2 of 8's out there who want to do their best and be their best and unfortunately they are overlooked because of the attention grabbing Corey Delaney types. (if you haven't heard of him he is an Aussie teenager that got all teenagers some pretty bad press 12 months ago)
ReplyDeleteReach for the stars 2 of 8! I'm sure your mum will let us know when you are touring Australia!
No. Mostly I want to be your daughter when I grow up too! I am always amazed at my kids as well! Aren't we lucky?
ReplyDeleteGreat post - I love how you wrote it!
ReplyDeleteIt is a great journey to get to know our kids as they become who they are growing to be!
I just found your blog yesterday, and even though this post is now several days old, it resonated with me. So I wrote you a blog post. You can find it at www.kathleenbasi.com. Thanks for your beautiful photos and reflections!
ReplyDelete