This is pretty cool.
I wish I would think to write down more extensions as I dream them up, but that's okay. I know they're there and I get the satisfaction of fulfilling them. Also, I journal about them.
Here are a few that can be checked off (or almost)
1.) Start a blog (a legit one)
Now, depending on your definition of "legit" this can be marked of the list.
I think what I intended was one that I kept up with. Not just a fly-by-night idea that I start and fizzles out.
I am proud to say that my ballet blog I began in 2012 is still going strong. It was there that I documented the excitement of getting to go to the So You Think You Can Dance tour and subsequently got to meet almost all of the dancers, resulting is a wonderful experience I cherish. (Thanks Natalia and her Mom!)
It isn't well read, but it's read. And I've noticed recently that there have been consistently more page views than usual.
I would like for it to get bigger, but part of me likes for it to remain small, simply because it helps me stay true to myself when I feel like I'm writing without opinions in my ear.
But the people who have found it, I am okay with. :)
28.) Show true kindness--to everyone
And
35.) Change the world
These two are along the lines of the one I was looking for.
I remember having bucket lists as a kid, and at the end there would always be something in the way of "make a difference in someone's life."
This has been something I've worked towards my whole life. It was always important to me to do everything I could to make people feel loved. Now, I am fully aware that I am in no way perfect and I have inadvertently hurt people along the way. But I made an effort to make it right as soon as I was made aware. These people have been forgiving, for which I am extremely grateful, and I've used those experiences to learn along the way. Some of the lessons have been hard, but I wouldn't be who I am without them. I feel that through knowing deep pain, I can in turn know better how to comfort. My main thought process in how I treat people is to try and think about what I wish I had when I was in their situation. Especially dancing with younger people. What do I wish I had when I was their age? I try to show kindness, and encourage them to do their best. Because I remember how much it meant to hear those things from people older than me, people I looked up to. I may not think I'm the best dancer, but they may think I'm the greatest they've ever seen. And instead of tell them it's not true, I'll use their viewpoint to encourage them, and hope they'll be inspired to surpass me. People will only ever be as great as they're told they are. It's a rare thing for them to have the confidence in themselves to pursue greatness without it coming from some kind of outside force, and usually when they do, they've wasted precious time. (these people are incredible, and in turn become great motivators.)
This past weekend, we had a performance of Wizard of Oz in Beeville.
A few people were complaining because the stage was smaller and being involved was much more taxing than we're used to, but the whole thought of it to me was wonderful. I was that kid growing up that never had seen a ballet (I haven't seen a real one yet, besides the company I'm now a part of. But we can mark that new bucket list entry off in June!) like many of these kids that were able to come, and to get to be part of that for them was thrilling.
Plus it was wonderful to get to be all together in the different environment. And then it all tipped in my favor that I was able to dance the role I was typically a cover for, and everyone--literally everyone--was so beyond thrilled for me. I've never felt such an emotion of deep gratitude, love, and support in my entire life. Ever. I'm still blown away by it. The (positive) repercussions are still resounding.
But the part that really blew me away was the part I never saw coming.
The part where Mrs. Julie gave out awards to seven dancers, and my name was one of them called, and as soon as it left her lips, the entire place exploded with cheers and applause and that's never happened in my entire life. I know I'm loved, but I've never before been shown it like I was shown on Saturday. It was simple, yet it was life changing.
(I got the "Impact Award" for cultivating an encouraging environment and being an inspiration.)
Impact means "to have an impact or effect on; influence; alter"
To be seen by my directors as being the person deserving of this honor was enough to bring me to tears. To look out and see so many smiling, supportive faces and have many of those people come up to me afterwards congratulating me and thanking me, I can't explain how good that makes me feel. I even had parents thank me for what I am for their kids. Days later and people are still telling me such wonderful things that I never could have imagined.
To me, to be on the receiving end, it feels like all of the decisions I've made my entire life are coming together and proving worth it. The times I got walked all over, the times I got hurt, the times that no one knew, the times I felt like dirt and the people I had encouraged were only upset I couldn't help them, the times I had to pick myself up by myself--they've all come back a million-fold, and I've found myself some pretty solid and incredible friendships in the process. I'm not afraid of walking life alone, because these people have proven to me that I never have to. They're there for me. I can never express how that makes me feel.
Live a good life. Do good simple in the name of doing good. Don't do it for titles or recognition. It matters. You matter. And you're making a difference in this world, even if you don't see the results yet.
"Keep changing the world."
40.) Go out of the country
This one is happening in July.
On a whim, my best friend Kristin and I decided to go on a Europe tour to Amsterdam, Paris, and London. This is also fulfilling the unspoken dream of seeing the Anne Frank House. (I really wanted to put that on my list, but I was afraid it would never happen. Fear is stupid. Put it on the list, dang it!) It's been ten years since I've been to Europe, and I'm thrilled to get to go this time.
I'm sure there will be pictures upon my return :)
So, added on
- Anne Frank House
- See a professional ballet
- Meet a Holocaust survivor
- uh. I thought there was another. oh well.
