We’ve been together a few weeks now. You’ve read a few posts about my crazy life, and my crazy dreams, and my crazy kids. But I feel like I need to stop for a moment of clarification. I need to be clear about what Dancing Over 30 really is. The idea behind Dancing Over 30 is not so much about grande jetes and pirouettes as it is about pursuing a dream, regardless of your age or stage in life. It could be anything. Anything that sets your heart on fire. A piece of you that was set on the back burner years ago in order to prioritize family, and home, and ADULTING. Dancing Over 30 is about that sacrificial love that so many of us Mamas dive head first into when our babies enter into the world. And what a beautiful love it is.
This blog, however, is about having our cake and eating it too (so to speak). Why can’t we be phenomenal mothers, and wives, and career-women, and movers, and shakers, and doers, and dreamers? A few weeks ago, I was blessed with the opportunity to see “Dancing Over 30” at its finest when my beautiful and courageous mother-in-law, at 58 years young, walked across the stage to receive the associates degree she started working toward almost 40 years ago! Education has always been a priority to Jean, but after becoming responsible for not one, but TWO children before even getting started down that path, college seemed like a pretty far stretch for her. So she went to work. She worked and worked for years on end. Always making sure to provide the best life possible for her family. Keeping a smile on her face and love in her heart, she kept moving; kept pushing through. And the longer she worked, the larger the gap became between her and her educational goals. She, like so many others, felt like she was too old to go back and pick up where she left off. I don’t know about you, but I’ve definitely felt that way. We tell ourselves, “I’m too old, my situation is too complicated, I have too many responsibilities, I can’t compete, I’m out of shape, do I even still have what it takes?” The self doubt will just come flooding in if you let it. The thing to remember is: regardless of what year it is, you’re still YOU. Maybe a little older. Hopefully a little wiser. You’re just a more experienced version of the person you’ve always been. And although your circumstances may have changed, you’re desires shouldn’t have to.
I believe the hardest part is just making that initial step. Deciding to believe in yourself. Deciding to choose yourself. Deciding your dreams and aspirations are important and worth pursuing. Our passions drive us to be the best versions of ourselves we can possibly be. They give us something to work toward and look forward to. They remind us of our value. They remind us of who we were. Who we ARE. All we have to do is give ourselves the permission to be... Ourselves. And when we do, look at what happens! We inspire those around us. When we get out of our own way, we allow others to see just how incredible we are. We might just be able to give others a little courage when we fearlessly allow ourselves to unapologetically be exactly who we want to be; no matter who’s watching and what they think. It doesn’t matter how it looks or what the “norm” is. So what if you’re “old”, or if you don’t come in the “ideal package”. What does that even mean anyway? Do you, girl, because the only person in this world who can make you truly happy is….. You guessed it: YOU! So keep “dancing”, my friend, whether you’re 30, or 50, or 100. And don’t you miss a beat!
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