| I can remember the first time I ever went to an | | | | Was I going to abandon my dream of learning to |
| official dance. I had taken 3 Cha Cha classes, at a | | | | dance, or was I going to put in the effort that it |
| community center, without a partner. Everything | | | | takes to learn. |
| about the class was foreign to me. I could not | | | | I chose to put in the effort and I am glad I did. I |
| remember the steps and I had no experience with | | | | have a whole lot of catching up to do and it does |
| frame, as that instructor did not rotate partners. I | | | | not come easy for me, but learning to dance has |
| learned, speaking the term lightly, the basic Cha Cha | | | | been the most rewarding activity I have ever |
| rhythm and a cross over break. Of course, I was | | | | participated in. I still have to remember to not |
| dancing with myself so my experience with a partner | | | | compare myself to others and to gauge my |
| was nil! The instructor encouraged all of us to attend | | | | improvements upon my own abilities and efforts. It |
| the monthly Ballroom Dance. I figured what the heck | | | | helps me to focus on one particular aspect at a time |
| and went to the dance. | | | | and to monitor the progress I am making monthly. |
| What I encountered wasn't a pleasant experience. | | | | Am I doing it better now than I was before?. If not, |
| While most of the dancers were cordial and polite, I | | | | I have only myself to blame and I have to figure |
| realized that I did not have a clue what I was doing! I | | | | what adjustments that I need to make to achieve |
| immediately began to compare myself to all of the | | | | my goal. |
| other dancers, good and bad. I was discouraged and | | | | Dancing is a partnership but you must remember that |
| inspired at the same time. What I didn't know then, | | | | the only person you are in control of is yourself. |
| that I know now, is that everyone of those dancers | | | | Work on your own self improvement and you will |
| started from square one, just like me and you. Yes, | | | | begin to feel the improvement while dancing with |
| some of them had the advantage of starting at a | | | | others. Don't place blame and don't make excuses, |
| very young age and others have natural ability, but I | | | | just give it your all and accept the results. |
| had neither. At this point I had a decision to make. | | | | |