How can I say this without sounding like....oh never mind, I'll go ahead and just say it.



Be yourself. Just be yourself! Don't be who others want you to be.



This is especially true for women.



I watched Larry King live last week. The show was called Strong Women. And the woman that stood out the strongest, the one with the strength just radiating from her, was Della Reese. She didn't have to speak constantly to prove her point although the others did. But when she spoke, there was power. So she had my attention.



Larry King gave each speaker a 30 second blurb at the end of his show. This is what Della said. "Be yourself. Don't change for anybody. Be happy with who you are. And if someone wants to share that happiness with you, fine. If not, fine. Just be yourself."



I saw the convinction in her eyes. I felt this... I don't know.. It was more than just mere words to her. Her words sounded like she lived through it. Like she changed for someone or something else and was beyond miserable. Then found herself after she picked up her pieces. Then she thought about it and decided that she would be happy with who she is. Despite the pressure not to be herself, she decided to be. It made her stronger and more confident.



So just for kicks, I'll say it one more time. Be yourself.  That's what I'm going to do. No doubt about that.

I'm figuring out my next move now. I know that I need to continue taking dance classes but when do I do that? I'm teaching Zumba 3 times a week now. That will soon be 4 times a week soon. All of them will be at night when I could take a dance class. And then who would be my dance instructor? Well that all depends on which direction I want to go. But which direction do I want to go? And the cycle begins again.



I may have a chance to teach bellydance classes in August and a second class in the fall. I'm excited about the chance but I have so much more that I need to learn about the dance form. I know some of the basics but to teach it. Can I actually do that? Someone seems to believe that I do. Actually at least 4 someones believe so. But does that mean that I'm able to?



If I could wave a wand and just say, "Boom, this is what I want," this is what I would do. Hmm....Well, for one thing, I want to keep on drumming. Yeh, I know that just came out of left field but still remains true none the less. I love the rhythms, love the improv nature of drumming with a group. So let's go with the image of improv just for a moment...



Moving in time with the drums is just like......wow! I absolutely just live for the moments when the drums and my movements are in sync with each other. I have a chance to hear and feel these rhythms every Monday night. I rehearse on the drums with my friends on Wednesday nights also. I just LOVE to hear the beats.



So maybe it's time to study some drum solo type of work? I was blown away when I saw Zoe Jakes dance in her unique style to a doumbek sound. Oh. My. Good. Ness. It was just... wow! If you haven't seen her dance, you've got to youtube her. Just wow!



Oh, that and taking African dance classes this summer. Definately plan to blend that in with who I am as a dancer.



So improv drum solo work seems to be the direction. It fits in with my current crazy schedule and I just love that dance form. There ya go!