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On My Mind: Words From The Publisher
By Rhee Gold, Publisher
The Gift Of Dance
As we approach the holiday season, taking time to be with family and friends and showing our love by exchanging gifts, we must remember to take a moment to reflect on something that has made our lives special—the gift of dance. Your love of dance didn’t come with a fancy bow and it certainly wasn’t the biggest package under the tree. Instead, it was a gift of the soul that was passed on to you by teachers who couldn’t help but share their passion. Think of it like the game of tag—one day you were “it!” And since then you have tagged many students who were just like you, as you pass on this intangible, invaluable, life-changing art form.
Journey back to the moment of your epiphany, when you knew that dance was going to be your life. Think about the other people you danced with who wanted to make dance their life, too. You’ll discover how few of them actually made it. Some were discouraged by a parent or guidance counselor who said something like, “Dance is a nice hobby, but you can’t make a career out of it,” or “You can always dance; go for your accounting degree so you’ll have something to fall back on.” Others didn’t have the confidence to go for what they wanted. Most of them were also given that soul gift and some still have it.
While you’re on that journey back in time, remember that special teacher who tagged you with the passion for dance—the one who believed in you, the one whom you wanted to be like when you grew up—and give thanks that you crossed paths with him or her. Maybe this is the year to give voice to that gratitude by sending a note or making a phone call. Let that teacher know that the gift they gave you is still alive, in you and in your students.
Yes, there are times when “the life” seems overwhelming, like when your students’ parents hassle you because they think their children should be in a higher level class or in that ballet production that you know they’re not ready for. It could be when the landlord is dragging his heels about fixing the heat, or when you desperately want to see your own child after school instead of heading off to teach other people’s children. Those are legitimate issues that come with a career in dance education. But look for the positive aspects, like following and realizing your dream. Remember that the world is filled with people who didn’t follow theirs. How many of them might go to work every day wishing they had the chance to be you for a day?
There’s no question in my mind that we are in one of the greatest professions in the world. Go out there with the objective to tag as many students as you can, because you will be passing on a piece of you and your passion, to them and perhaps to their students. What more could we ask for in life?
I certainly can’t ask for more than the great gift I’ve been given by dance teachers across North America: your readership and support. Thank you all, and happy holidays!
Contact:
Goldrush, P.O. Box 2150, Norton, MA 02766,
Phone: 888-i-dance-9, 508-285-6650, Fax: 508-285-3179,
Email: Goldrushdance@aol.com
Copyright 2006 Goldrush Magazine, a division of the Rhee Gold Company and Gold Standard Press, LLC. Goldrush Magazine and Goldrush Online is published twelve times annually. No contents of Goldrush Magazine and Goldrush Online may not be duplicated in whole or in part without permission of the publisher. Inclusion in the Goldrush does not imply endorsement by Goldrush or its employees
