We’ve all heard the saying “if you can believe it you can become it”. Is that really true? Can everyone who goes after a dream achieve it?
There are dancers out there who seem to have everything lined up to attain their goals. Family/friend/teacher support, self confidence, financial means, talent, artistic connections, etc. Ideally shouldn’t they be the only ones to make it. In my opinion…NOT TRUE!!! What about the stories of people who had none of that and yet succeeded beyond their/our dreams. How did they do it? Beyond all the external influences there is one little extra thing that gives us an edge. It’s called believing in oneself and in one’s dreams.
I grew up in a small town in northern British Columbia, with the nearest city being hundreds of miles away. It wasn’t until a former New York City dancer moved to our remote community and opened a school that I started dancing. Right from the moment I did my first class I was hooked, once I had my first performance I knew what I wanted to do with my life. Now I did have parents who paid for my classes and I did have a teacher who believed in me but when I finally decided to audition for professional training schools and eventually dance companies I was on my own.
I remember being scared going to auditions as who likes to be judged for doing something they love. I had given 100% of myself over the years but so had others. We all have to work hard and sacrifice if we want to become our very best, but was my best good enough? I remember once the teacher started the audition my demeanour changed and I was living in the moment. Was that me believing in myself and what I was doing? I think so. This happens only when I am dancing.
I have the honour of working with dancers who range from recreational to professional and each one has taught me something about being a dancer and about having a dream. Sometimes the dream we start out with will alter or shift and that’s O.K. It doesn’t mean we haven’t achieved it just means there is another path to lead us to our real success. We just have to keep open and keep listening to our heart.
Even if you have supportive people around you, in the end the only one that truly has to believe in you is YOU.