Rethinking Me

I answered yet another ad. No, not for a vocalist (you know where that gets me), but for a dance partner.

My company has a community news group so people can post things for sale, or items wanted, or really anything. Last week there was a posting from a woman looking for a practice partner for salsa dancing.

And I thought, why not?

I miss dancing. I haven’t been salsa dancing in ages. And while I’m not a good leader, I’m a helluva follower, and this particular gal needed someone to practice her lead with.

We met today at lunch and danced for about an hour. She’s learning tough steps in her class and was impressed that I could follow her so easily. It reminded me how to use my body – keeping a frame, not locking my arms, spotting when I’m turning, keeping my torso straight and only turning from the waist. It all came rushing back after 10 years.

And as an added bonus, I sweated my ass off.

So we’ve agreed to meet up once or maybe twice a week to practice. Add this to my kickboxing classes and I should hit my goal weight of 98lbs in no time!

Kidding, kidding…

What’s funny is, it occurred to me that I don't really seem to have a lot of fear when it comes to emailing strangers. That’s how I met Steve, and Ms. Traveler (my Ballard walking buddy and in some ways, my mentor) and Todd. I’ve met some of the greatest people by blindly (but safely) taking a chance and reaching out.

It’s times like this when I take a step back and I surprise myself. The 13 year old girl in me would be paralyzed with fear at the thought of reaching out and being vulnerable. She was so insecure and afraid and fragile.

But now, the 35 year old in me says, what the hell? What’s the worst that can happen? I would never use the words “secure”, “fearless” or “strong” to describe myself, but there are moments when that’s exactly what I am.

I kind of like this person I’ve become.