What is it like competing against your best friend?
It’s probably the best thing & the worst thing at the same time, there’s no need to hide the latter from you.
As humans, we are constantly striving to our max. Eat better, look better, try to fit in (whether that be a group of people or a dress in a size “small“ because it’s not acceptable to be a size M right?). Each day we get up, look into the mirror and if you’re honest then I bet there’s one thing you’re not happy with; even though for others it’s most probably not reasonable if noticeable or worth worrying about at all.
We just have to deal with it, sure.
However, it’s always the question of how we do it.
In dancing, it’s the same thing. You’re in a room with walls decked out with mirrors and a lot of people – that you love – but inevitably will end up comparing yourself to.
Which in fact, may be a good thing. We imitate people, we copy them, we seek inspiration. It’s natural. But there are moments where we forget that we’re someone’s inspiration too.
We get caught up thinking about how strong someone’s rhythm is, how high they can jump and if it’s your best friend then yes it hurts. Yes, there are moments in which I wonder why I can’t do this or that, why I’m in second the fifth time in a row, where my heart breaks a little, I feel like giving up because I feel incapable of achieving anything at all. But that’s only temporary.
In reality, it’s a good thing to have someone you can ask for advice, who can support you because they’ve felt the exact same way. If only we start to realise that everyone’s dealing with their own difficulties, not trying to be better than anyone but their past self. Isn’t that the concept of dancing? Then how come we forget this all the time? As I said we’re humans, it’s humane. But really: we can only rise by lifting others. Be there to help, be someone’s hand to hold for everyone’s going their own stony way. But if you do it with someone you love very dearly, hand in hand great things will happen.
I promise.
Maja Grass
