That was the theme of 2019, right? Here in Dayton this is all we’ve said since the Memorial Day tornadoes. This obstacle too shall pass. The Oregon District shootings. This pain, this sadness and confusion, this too shall pass. Now here we sit in the early days of Spring 2020 with our lives at a screeching halt screaming, how can this be happening AGAIN?!? All I can say is, this too shall pass.
The phrase this too shall pass doesn’t mean it will flawlessly pass and we all come out the other end unscathed. No, it means we will look back at this time and associate it with whatever feelings we need to. We’ll have scars and bruises and will adjust to a new normal, but it will be in the past. It’s totally okay to be angry AND doing your part. Me personally, I’m sad, I’m angry, I’m hopeful and devastated all at the same time. I’m terrified for what might happen to my business as well as all of the dance studios, companies and programs that daily face the “you’re not essential” stigma.
However, I’m trying to remain hopeful. HOPEFUL, that through all of this we will see the best in what humans can do. I’m hopeful that just one person might find solace in dance to bring them calm during this. You don’t have to be a well trained dancer to throw some music on as loud as you can handle it and just move! I can’t tell you how many times Florence + The Machine’s Dog Days Are Over has allowed me to cry and dance out fears I had at that moment.
You’re going to have waves of emotions during this, and it’s 100% okay! Just remember this too will be a part of your story. It might be the chapter where you totally feel lost and you need help to process it after, but I promise it will eventually be in the past. Please. Please during this time don’t abandon your craft because it feels not essential right now! Continue to support your dance family and studios anyway you can. Cause let me tell you, when this dust settles, those dance programs are exactly where all dancers will need to be. And the exact place people will find strength that was torn from them waiting for this to pass.
Dancers, Studio Owners, Company Directors…. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know ANYWAY I can support you through this. I mean it! A bonding group photoshoot when it’s all over, no problem. A dancer really struggling to find their beauty after this, call me so I can show it to them. Organizing a way for your dancers to showcase a performance that was forced to cancel, I’m on it with silly awards to make everyone laugh!! I am here for you.
For right now, I will be reminding myself this too shall pass.
Much love,
Beth
