A new year, a resolution to be "Fearless", and the suprising place that inspired my new outlook.

Do you typically make New Year's resolutions for yourself?

I sometimes do, and sometimes don't. This year however, I was really inspired to make a change about myself and I have to say I am really hoping this is one resolution that I can keep.

My resolution this year is to be fearless in my dancing and in my life.

 Now...Where did my fearless idea come from?

My inspiration came from the men and women I take open class with. In open class it is always a mixed bag of dancers taking dance for all kinds of reasons. You have the current professionals on break trying to stay in shape, the aspiring professionals there to work towards their goals, the former ballerinas who take class once in a blue moon, and then you have the individuals who found dance later in life and are in there for no other reason than they love to dance. It is the last group that inspires me the most.

One day I was attending open class at a place I had never been before. I myself have always had some reservations when attending class in a new place. It is kind of that new kid in school feeling. As I was surveying the room to see what kind of dancers I was up against, in walks an older gentleman with all the confidence in the world. He takes a place next to me at the barre, and as he begins to stretch it becomes very obvious that he never danced a day in his life until recently. The class begins and although he struggles to learn the combinations his love for dance oozes out of every part of him. After we moved into the center I continue to observe the man. Every time the teacher speaks he leans in with such intensity, making sure he does not miss a second of what the teacher is saying. And when he danced he might as well have been the only person in the room.

Seeing this gentleman's enthusiasm for dance made me want to dance like that. I wondered why I didn't approach the class with the same careless abandonment. It was an easy answer. I was afraid!

Afraid I would make a mistake.
 Afraid I would look foolish.
Afraid I wouldn't improve.

So here I am. Putting it out into the world. I, Leah Marie Bueno, resolve to be fearless in 2013. I am sure that this declaration will be an adventure.

Happy New Year everyone!