A Sunday Morning
I have been blessed to have firstly recognised, and then committed myself to an art that nourishes, transforms and enriches lives. I am passionate about what I do. I have experienced many moments of pure joy and wonder; with this in mind I would like to share such a moment. My purpose in choosing this story is to bring joy to others; a gift with a little bit of magic!
In 2014, I was asked to run a creative dance experience in collaboration with a Sunday church service. The minister is an inspiring woman whom I greatly admire. The church had just undergone a beautiful renovation, with space created for such opportunities; I embraced the offer enthusiastically.
The ages of the members of the congregation on this particular Sunday mainly ranged from early fifties through to mid eighties. While developing the program, I had no idea who would be attending, or their abilities.
Creative dance, as a medium, is extraordinary in the way it can enrich and nourish the soul. Everybody can experience dance whether through participation or observation; so it was with this firm belief that I began.
Generally, creative dance is engaged in with bare-feet and comfortable clothing. I realised very quickly that I would need to adapt as people came in their Sunday best, obviously! A challenge – yes. An opportunity – yes. As I didn’t have time to ponder alternatives; I trusted in the process and leapt into action. (Later, I had the time to allow my mind to replay this scenario, and realise how many times I have let ‘out of my comfort zone’ moments like this hinder the flow of creativity. However, if we trust ourselves and believe in what we are doing, we can achieve beautiful and rewarding experiences).
We began to dance, moving gently, a little tentatively. However, in a short period of time, hesitancy evaporated, people were able to sense the rhythm of the group. Faces and bodies relaxed. As we flowed past each other, I noticed smiling first, followed quickly by beaming, and what had started as embarrassed titter became full, joyous laughter. We were in the midst of pure joy creation!
As I moved across the space, a gentleman who was at least in his mid eighties, elegant and fragile, intuitively took my hand. His face and eyes were full of joy; he was fully ‘in the moment’. This gift he offered will stay with me forever, and I have wondered since if the experience for him had evoked a lasting, beautiful memory.
People later remarked how wonderful and unique and inspiring the movement experience had been. One woman told me that the last time she had danced and moved to the music, was over 40 years ago, and how much it meant to her to be able to free up her body and her spirit of self expression again. I knew then, that everybody who had been there that Sunday would leave feeling very different to when they arrived; connected, lighter, satisfied and fulfilled. I was honoured with the request to return.
The congregation had also heard about my other passionate endeavor of raising money to support a project which was personal and extremely important to me; providing clean, running water to at least 60 homes in a community in the central highlands of Bali, which I had visited earlier in the year. On completion of the service I was presented with a sizable donation towards the project. I felt such gratitude at this generosity. I realised too, that from one creative, engaging, giving experience, another spontaneous, giving action had evolved.
This Sunday event has reinforced in me the knowledge that when one approaches an endeavor with integrity, honouring oneself and others, the rewards are bountiful and utterly fulfilling.