Inspiration

A Lsit In a Bucket

When I was little, I had no idea what a 'bucket list' was. I literally thought it was a list of whatever that you put in a bucket and I thought, 'what's the point?' Then I figured it out when I was a little older and wiser and not such a ditz. Ever since then, I've been mentally making my bucket list which includes things such as 'Travel to Australia', 'Attend a runway show at Fashioin Week (NY, not LA but preferably international like Milan)', start a flash mob, own a pair of Monolo Blahnik shoes and see two different dance companies in person...The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (see this post) and the Martha Graham Dance Company. I've already seen AAADT so that one has been checked off and last week, I got to check of the latter. Wow! How have I been privileged?!?!

Last week, I made the journey down to the BYU campus to see the company that has probably inspired me the most in my dance career. I was a little bummed because I missed the exit that I needed to take and then college parking being what it is, I made it into the auditorium about 15 minutes late.....sad. I missed an original Isadora Duncan piece. But all was not lost....

The first sweet of dances was basically telling a story of economic/political history at varying points in history including the depression and Cold War eras as well as others. The final piece was called 'Panorama' and featured dancers from BYU's school of dance. WOW! 40 dancers all in red on stage at the same time. It completely illustrated the point that Martha was trying to put forth that many people banding together can create and cause change. I'll put some YouTube links at the bottom of the post.

The second sweet of dances was so moving! There is a famous piece by Martha called Lamentation. (I'll post a link). It's an interesting piece that a lot of people might not 'get', but it's pretty cool and gets better the more times you watch it. Well, the company picked three up an coming choreographers and told them to use that piece as inspiration to create dances about the their individual reactions to 9/11. They had to work within specific parameters such as simple costuming and lighting and they were presented at the 6th anniversary of 9/11. All three were amazing and so moving. Just looking at three different choreographer's interpretation of 'falling' was inspirational not to mention the virtuosic performances.

The third section of dancing was the one that I was looking the most forward to. Martha Graham's seminal work is which tells the story of a young pioneer couple in a new settlement as well as the story of a revivalist and his followers. They didn't show the entire piece but instead, they presented it in a way that I wasn't expecting. some background on the ballet....it was more or less choreographed as the music being composed. Martha and Aaron Copeland would write back and forth sharing ideas with Martha telling Copeland how she wanted the music to sound in certain parts what images she wanted to show. For the performance that evening, They actually read the original letters and then the dancers performed those sections. At first I was disappointed, but then, as I thought about it, it was such a rare insight as to how artists collaborate and how inspiration is born. It really brought the dance to life for me and I don't think that I will look at it the same way.

For any modern dance enthusiast, this was a rare and amazing opportunity. As I watched the dancers and absorbed the choreography, I realizes why Martha Graham is such a huge influence for me. She takes movement that is somewhat pedestrian (thus making it seem accessible) and make it anything but pedestrian through her use of contractions and repetition. One of my favorite ways to choreograph is to find 'real-world' pedestrian movement and chan
ge it up to make it something different. What an amazing talent she had. I'm so glad that her legacy has been preserved and that her work is still in existence for generations to feed off of.

Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.

-Martha Graham

*Some fun links*
Panorama Part 1
Panorama Part 2
Panorama Part 3

Appalachian Spring Part 1
Appalachian Spring Part 2
Appalachian Spring Part 3
Appalachian Spring Part 4

Lamentation

Earnest

Access to our Creator through our Savior is surely one of the great privileges and blessings of our lives. I have learned from countless personal experiences that great is the power of prayer. No earthly authority can separate us from direct access to our Creator. There can never be a mechanical or electronic failure when we pray. There is no limit on the number of times or how long we can pray each day. There is no quota of how many needs we wish to pray for in each prayer. We do not need to go through secretaries or make an appointment to reach the throne of grace. He is reachable at any time and any place.
~James E Foust, 'The Lifeline of Prayer', Ensign May 2002

*Image source

I've written about prayer before. Remember? It was enlightening for me to write about the topic. They say that a testimony is found in the sharing of it. I have to say that I agree with that. When I write about these topics, my mind centers around the idea and I am able to more fully understand my own feelings.

Well, I'm thinking about prayer again and some new insight that I gained yesterday. First of all, I have to say that The Lord is amazing. He gives things to us in ways we may never expect. Me and the kids were watching PBS yesterday morning like always. On the PBS station that we watch, we are lucky enough that it is connected to BYU TV so we are able to get little tidbits of spirituality throughout the day. Sometimes it's a result of an amazing performance by a BYU dance company or music group. But at 11am everyday, we receive this spirituality through the broadcast of a BYU devotional from the past. Sometimes they are are decades old and sometimes more recent. Yesterday's was incredible! Keep reading....

This devotional was from June of this year and was given by Marilyn Berrett who is a professor in the BYU dance department. Needless to say, my interested was perked. The topic of her talk was Earnest Prayer. I can't even begin to express the amount of inspiration I received from listening to this talk. Things stuck out to me that I didn't expect and I was truly touched by the spirit! She quoted Enos, she discussed this talk by Russell M. Nelsen and shared amazing stories from her life and some were centered around work that she did with the Dancer's Company at BYU.

One part that really stuck out to me was of the importance of kneeling to pray when you are able. This is something that I've always difficulty with. Not for lack of desire, but more laziness. when I was in high school and had broken my back, kneeling obviously painful during the injury and especially painful after. During that time an already shaky habit fell by the wayside and was neglected and subsequently forgotten. We've been working on kneeling with the kids when say our family prayers and that has been working well in teaching them the humbling act. However, I didn't feel the need to enforce the habit upon myself. When sister Berrett was discussing kneeling she said, 'You don't have to be dancer who studies the meaning of movement to recognize the significant symbolism of kneeling." That meant a lot to me because as a dancer, I do know how symbolic it is as a humble gesture. As she discussed kneeling to pray she talked about the spiritual examples where it discusses kneeling including Isaiah where he said that 'Every knee shall bow...." Was I one of those whose knees were bowing?

Well, I'm heavy with child right now and I have been dealing off and on with a knee issue that has caused me pain if I knee just right. But I decided while I was listening that these excuses were just that, excuses. If I am able to pray for the major things in my life, why not ask the Lord to help me in my quest for more meaningful prayers by asking Him to help ease the pain help give me the strength that I need to be able to kneel while I speak with Him.

The Lord knew that I needed to hear this talk. Not that I've been struggling with prayer. Quite the opposite, in theory. Things aren't particularly hard right now, but they're not particularly easy either. Things have gone on in life where I need to have the Lord's help and strength to be able to face them. The thing that needed to change, was how meaningful my prayers were. that is what needed improvement.

What also needed improvement is the example that I'm setting fro my children. I've had both of my girls walk in on my while I'm kneeling to pray and each of them have been worried. I would never want them to think that because I'm on my knees praying that something is wrong. They need to know that something is definitely right. Because where else are they going to learn?

Please go and watch this talk. Click on this link and watch these inspiring words. If you've ever taken prayer for granted, you may not after this.

*Image found here

Why?

I've been thinking about this blog a lot lately. Mostly because I haven't updated it in like forever and I was beginning to feel guilty. There was a reason that I started it and I cannot neglect that reason anymore.

When we first moved to Utah I was flipping through some back issues of The Ensign which is a magazine that The Church puts out monthly. It is full of amazing, faith promoting stories and articles on any topic you could think of. There are inspiring message from our leaders and great tips on how to live a better life. As I was browsing through the Oct 2009 volume, I came across an article called Finding and Sharing the Gospel Online. Read it here. the article focused on various ways that we an share our testimonies online, but it seemed to have a specific focus on blogging. After reading it, I got to thinking about why I started this blog specifically and I haven't been able to push away the nagging feeling that I'm not doing my job. I was given specific inspiration from the Lord and I can't put that aside. I highly recommend reading the article.

So I've been thinking about this all summer in one way or the other. I thought about how much effort I put into my blogging and how much work other's put into the blogs that I follow. I thought about what an amazing gift it is and how it is/can/should be utilized. I even had imaginary conversations in my head about what I would say if someone was asking me about it or I was teaching a class about it. Then i was at church two weeks ago and I saw that our monthly enrichment class was going to be about blogging. Opportunity???? So I went to the enrichment leader who is my visiting teacher and I said that if she needed any help, I'm here. She said she had someone lined up to teach but she would pass my name along. Well, the other sister contacted me and said that she is actually more proficient with the technical aspect but not as much with the practical applications. (that what she says, but really, she's pretty awesome and awesomely modest about her abilities). So she asked me if I would cover the 'why we blog' side of the presentation. I thought, how fun is that and totally perfect because I'm an invalid at the technical side.

In thinking about the question a lot over the last 10 days I realized that I know my reasons, but I wanted to find out the reasons that other people blog. So I contacted a few of by favorite blogs that I follow and I asked them. Dana and Char were super gracious enough to send me there thoughts and they were such beautiful ideas. They spoke about community and how it feels to make friends from all over the world. I thought it was really neat.

Now I had to ask myself why I blog. I have two of them, both with very different purposes. I have my blog that is focused more on my family and what goes on in the everyday life of the Mitchell's. Kind of a journal/travelogue if you will. I post about what my kids are up to, the fun crafts we do, challenges of everyday life. The main reason for all of this has more to do with my location in regards to the rest of my family. It's nice to know that I can post about what's going on and pretty much immediately my grandma in Portland can read what we've been up to and see recent pics of the kiddos. And now that we've moved away from friends in Colorado, the same goes for them.

So why do I post on this blog as well? I feel that this is a way to truly share my testimony in new way other. I've always felt that i could share my testimony through vocalizing it, answering people's questions, being an example and yes, even dancing. I feel like I can synthesize all of these into one. I can share my testimony by writing it. I can answer questions from people who comment on the blog. I can be an example through the topics that I choose to write about. And I can learn exactly how dance influences my testimony and the other way around. I hope that it will become a forum where I can I share some deep feelings and grow from what I write and think about. I also hope to learn, develop and share a new talent. I have always been attracted to writing and communicating, but I've never felt particularly good at it. Maybe those skills will improve.

So there you go, that is why I blog. Why do you?

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performing their seminal work Revelations. In my opinion, this peice is the most powerful yet graceful example of the spiritual aspect of dance. It is the most inspiring yet genuine examples of what it means to testify to the audience.

The Soul's Sincere Desire

About this time last year, I was struggling. I was busy with a new little baby. Overwhelmed by having three little children. On top of that, things were not going all that well at the dance studio. I was getting close to my return and was stressing about finishing choreography so that I would have time to clean up all my routines before the recital. Unfortunately, I don't remember all the exact details, but I was having a difficult time. More than once, I was brought to tears by the sheer stress of the situation, no doubt made worse by the raging hormones!

I remember seeing the video* in the previous post and being particularly struck by the line '...remember that you are spirit of the most creative Being in the universe. Isn't it remarkable to think that your very spirits are fashioned by an endlessly creative and eternally compassionate God? Think about it--your spirit body is masterpiece, created with a beauty, function, and capacity beyond imagination.' Wow! After hearing that, I also read a talk by Elder David A Bednar entitled Pray Always. In talking about prayer and making it more meaningful, he quoted Alma

Cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord;...Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when though liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when though risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God;...' (Alma 37:36-37)

I mulled over the idea of myself being created by an infinitely creative God and the fact that I should be counseling with Him in all things, it dawned on me. There was no reason that the Lord would not help me out during this time. My choreography was not a trivial matter at the time. My job would be compromised not to mention my own insecurities would be brought to the forefront. The matter at hand was the fact that I was suffering emotionally probably more than most people would believe.

So I took a leap of faith, so to speak, and got down on my knees immediately. All of this happened in the space of a few hours while my kids were all napping. I remember very few things from this prayer but I do remember that it was very meaningful. I know that I expressed gratitude for my talents. I thanked the Lord for a wonderful husband and family who support me in my dancing. I thanked Him for the blessing of having an able body to use as a tool of praise and honor and for the talent to express that.

I didn't have any visions of glorious dancers leaping and pirouetting across the stage. My body wasn't suddenly overcome with the urge to move in a specific way. But I do remember feeling peace. The choreography came to me and all was well.

The full scope of this experience didn't really hit me until a few weeks ago. I was asked by a gal in my stake to choreograph and perform two dance pieces for our stake women's conference. Of course I jumped at the chance. She told me her vision and gave me the music. I listened to the song and I was stumped! The song was beautiful, but it didn't drive me to move. I had nothing to say with choreography. I didn't want to tell her that the song needed to be changed or that we needed to do something else. I don't ever want to mess with someones artistic vision and I certainly wanted to make sure that I was not getting lost in my own selfish whims when the whole purpose of this dance was to glorify the Father.

On the day that I was supposed to meet with a fellow dancer who was going to duet with me, I told that I had no ideas. On top of that, the kids were having a hard time that day and being especially disobedient. I walked into rehearsal with this dear friend of mine and I said, 'I don't know what to do, I think we need to start this all with a prayer.' So we prayed for inspiration. We prayed for peace in our hearts. We also prayed that our kids would behave and let us get it all done.

Again, no visions. Instead, we were blessed with peace. Choreography came easily to us and we were able to make quick decisions of what worked and what didn't. Women's conference is this weekend and I'm so excited for it. I think it's going to be amazing! I know that it wouldn't be half as good if we didn't have the Lord on our side.

While writing about these experiences, my mind turned to another scripture, James 1:5

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

I love this passage for many reasons, but I never thought of it in this context. I feel that whatever we are lacking, if we ask, with pure intent, we will receive what we need.

What experiences have you had with prayer that helped you understand even further the relationship between you and our Father in Heaven?

*You can read that whole talk here

**Image lifted from Mormon Soprano

More to come tomorrow regarding prayer. For now, please enjoy this amazing, inspiriational video!

http://www.youtube.com/user/MormonMessages#p/f/4/RhLlnq5yY7k

To The Youth Out There

A little over a week ago i was discussing this blog with a friend of mine. She teaches and helps out a lot at the studio I work at and she's also in my stake. Over the past (almost) three years, I've taught her daughter and recently had the privilege of mentoring her through choreographing her own solos. I'm pleased to be able to call this dancer and her mom dear friends. As I was talking with the mom, she brought up an aspect that I never thought of. We talked about how there are so many girls in the dance world who are striving to lead wholesome, faithful lives in the face of having their standards torn down time and time again by teachers, choreographers, judges, even their own parents at times. Some are succeeding, but I'm worried about how many are not. I've pondered and prayed over the last week and I really feel that I want to talk to these young girls. Although I know we could all benefit.

In the LDS church, when a girl turns 12, she is welcomed into the Young Women Organization and from day one she is taught a theme and motto to live her life by. She recites it every Sunday and it serves as a reminder as she goes through her week that she is a precious daughter of God. There is one line in the theme that always stuck out to me

We will 'stand as witnesses of God, at all times and in all things, and in all places'

(Mosiah 18:9)

In reflecting on that line, my mind is also turned to a talk that I recently read titled Moral Discipline. A story was shared from President James E. Faust when he was faced with a situation that could potentially make our break his career in the military. He could go in one direction and appease everyone, or he could remember the promises that he made and share his true feelings on morality. He picked the latter and said,

'I do not believe there is a double standard of morality.'

While thinking about these two statements, I'm taken back to an instance in my youth that I am less than proud of. Unfortunately, too many young women in the dance world are faced with the same situation almost on a daily basis. during my sophomore year of high school, I was a dancer in a production of Guys of Dolls. During one of the numbers, we were required to wear a long evening gown and in a matter of few eight counts, our attire disappeared to a revealing immodest outfit that no teenager should ever be required to wear on stage. Every parent raised concerns as did most of the dancers. I was not one of the them. I didn't feel there was anything wrong with it because I spent hours in a ballet studio wearing only a leotard and tights. But there is a very strong difference! In the ballet studio, we wear those uniforms so the instructors can see lines and ensure that we are learning placement and positions in the proper way. You are not parading in front of hundreds of people looking for cheers and ovations.

Now take a break from the story for a second and lets think of all the ways that our values and standards are attacked in this harsh world.

*Immodest dress-Because dancing is primarily about the body and how it moves, for some reason we use that as excuse to disregard everything that we have been taught about modest dress. I hate to disappoint, but as a teacher, I can see the lines of your legs and torso in a pair of capri pants and a tight fitting t-shirt just as well as I can when you're wearing only a sports bra and 'booty' shorts. I'm not saying that you need to rehearse in a turtle neck with sleeves down past your wrists with your ankles covered. What I am saying is that you need to keep things in context and perspective.

*Distasteful Music-As dancers, it's very easy to get caught up in the beat of the song and you forget to listen to the lyrics. However, that's not an excuse to choose music with vulgar words and inappropriate innuendo. As a teacher, I tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to my music selection in class. Even if there is a song that the kids are listening to on their own iPods, I don't play it because more people hear your music than the class you're teaching. This goes for when you're selecting music for a solo or just dancing in your bedroom. Lyrics and beat and volume can have a crazy effect on your creative process and will, a lot of time, cause you to do things that you normally wouldn't.

*Interaction with Others-I've seen it time and time again....one girl can extend her leg higher than you, she then thinks she better than you. You catch yourself making negative comments about another groups competition routine. Your company group has trouble showing appreciation for the group that scored higher than you. It's a very vicious cycle to get into, and we have all been there at one point another. But please remember that everyone is learning and doing their best.

*Sunday Performance-This is a sticky one. There are varying opinions on what it means to keep the Sabbath day holy, if they believe in it at all. There are two important things to remember. 1) If you feel that you should not be performing/competing on a Sunday, do your best to not be swayed by those trying to convince you otherwise. Peer pressure is never a reason to disregard your commitment. 2) If you come from a family where a Sunday performance/competition is acceptable, try to realize that not all families feel the same way and you need to respect that.

*Pre-madonna Syndrome-I just came up with that label. What do you think? This really goes hand in hand with the 'interaction with others' section but goes a little deeper. As teacher, I have a hard time with the dancers who are really good and they know they are really good so they expect everything to be handed to them without working for it. But there is something to be said for hard work, dedication and attitude. To quote the directors of the company I dance on 'We want diva dancers without the diva attitude.'

*Body Image-It's kind of hard as dancer, and a woman for that matter, to not struggle with body image at some point in their life. The good thing is that little by little, it seems to be changing in the dance world. Small changes mind you, but changes nonetheless. With the frequency of dance on television we are exposed more and more to dancer with more womanly, realistic figures which is refreshing. Just remember that someones perception of your body type is subjective and you shouldn't feel obligated to do something drastic just to appease someone else. Be happy with yourself!

Now back to my story. Ultimately, the decision was made to change the costume and the routine to make it more age appropriate. Unfortunately, it was a hard fought battle by some very courageous students and parents. I'm sad that I can't count myself among them. But I learned a very valuable lesson that I will never forget. The lesson is that my integrity and standards should have been more important to me.

I promise you, that you will be blessed for standing up for yourself and what you believe. You may not see it now, but in the end it will pay off. And you never know who will be touched by your example. You may be dancing alongside a girl who hasn't yet developed that courage to speak up or you may reach a director who will think twice before making decisions for their dancers. You never know. It takes confidence and maturity and is sometimes very hard, but in the end, it is worth it!

*Photo courtesy of BYU