For those that follow me, you know that I just got back from Myrtle Beach where my daughter's dance company competed for their nationals. I was my chance to support my number one fan by being her number one fan.
This time was a little different though, this time I learned some valuable lessons from the dance world that I think all writers and people in general could learn from.
The Show Must Go On- This is an old tradition for the stage, but it still holds true. These kids go on stage (of their own free will) sick, tired, and sometimes even injured. Why? Because they have made a commitment to their team mates and themselves. I look at them and realize that there are no excuses for not pursuing your dreams. The world is full of writers with full time jobs and families, if they can find a way you can find a way. I am so often guilty of being "too busy" or "too tired", but regardless the show must go on.
If You Don't Woo, It's The Same As A Boo- This is one of my daughter's favorites. She applauds other dancers, it doesn't matter if they are on her team or not. She says it takes a lot of hard work to go out there and she wants everyone to "get some claps" for all their hard work, otherwise, per my daughter, you might as well boo them (which according to my daughter is the cardinal sin of any audience). It makes me stop and think about how often I'm guilty of reading a great book from a fellow indie author and not leaving a review. Isn't that along the same line of thinking?
This time was a little different though, this time I learned some valuable lessons from the dance world that I think all writers and people in general could learn from.
The Show Must Go On- This is an old tradition for the stage, but it still holds true. These kids go on stage (of their own free will) sick, tired, and sometimes even injured. Why? Because they have made a commitment to their team mates and themselves. I look at them and realize that there are no excuses for not pursuing your dreams. The world is full of writers with full time jobs and families, if they can find a way you can find a way. I am so often guilty of being "too busy" or "too tired", but regardless the show must go on.
If You Don't Woo, It's The Same As A Boo- This is one of my daughter's favorites. She applauds other dancers, it doesn't matter if they are on her team or not. She says it takes a lot of hard work to go out there and she wants everyone to "get some claps" for all their hard work, otherwise, per my daughter, you might as well boo them (which according to my daughter is the cardinal sin of any audience). It makes me stop and think about how often I'm guilty of reading a great book from a fellow indie author and not leaving a review. Isn't that along the same line of thinking?
It's Not Always About The Win- This year was my daughter's first year performing a duo. In her studio, it is a huge rite of passage when you are able to audition for solo/duo/trio dances. At nationals, their duo didn't place as well as she hoped (Of course she wanted first place). I stupidly told her I was sorry it didn't do as well as she wanted. She looked at me like I was crazy and said that it wasn't just about winning. She said they went out and did their very best and next year their best will have to be even better. I was shocked that this little girl understood that she worked hard and would just have to challenge herself to work harder next year. She didn't cry or pout, she just smiled, applauded for the winners, and moved on to the next dance. As adults, we get so hung up on how things should've been or could be that we don't accept the challenge to just move on.
Hard Work Pays Off- My daughter's team did very well this year at nationals and to them those long hours of class and rehearsals, passing up play dates and sleepovers, was very much worth it. Who can argue that if you want something, you have to work for it?
So, tomorrow my daughter goes back to school and I get to focus more time on my writing. I get to start my edits on Incarnate, the last book in the Spiritus series, but I'm going to try to apply the lessons that I've learned from her this summer to make me a better writer and maybe even a better person.
Are there any lessons that you learned from a child? Share them
Hard Work Pays Off- My daughter's team did very well this year at nationals and to them those long hours of class and rehearsals, passing up play dates and sleepovers, was very much worth it. Who can argue that if you want something, you have to work for it?
So, tomorrow my daughter goes back to school and I get to focus more time on my writing. I get to start my edits on Incarnate, the last book in the Spiritus series, but I'm going to try to apply the lessons that I've learned from her this summer to make me a better writer and maybe even a better person.
Are there any lessons that you learned from a child? Share them
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