WONDERINGS OF A WALLFLOWER: LIFE’S A DANCE CLASS

Opinion – The Bengal
Emily Crighton
Editor-in-Chief
I will be the first person to admit that I am not a relatively coordinated individual. I trip on flat sidewalks, run into low-hanging tree branches and fall down the stairs at the gym after leg day. I once went to sit down in a perfectly stationary chair and ended up on the ground with the chair flipped over my head. I’m absolutely the last person on earth you’d expect to find in a ballroom dancing class, yet here I am anyway…taking intro to ballroom dance with my fiancé.
Despite being undisputably one of the slowest to catch on to any dance we learn, I’m thankful I decided to get so far out of my comfort zone. It’s taught me a lot about myself, other people and, of course, ballroom dancing.
I’m a person to whom a lot of things come naturally. As a result, I used to steer clear of anything that didn’t. I’m easily embarrassed, and I absolutely despise not being good at things. I registered for this class fearing it would be my worst nightmare. It wasn’t.
The more I think about it the more I feel like life is a lot like dance class. Sometimes you lead, other times you follow. Sometimes you follow even when your partner is going the complete opposite direction you’re supposed to be going. Sometimes neither of you know where you’re going, so you just stop and stare at everyone else is doing until you figure it out.
Dancing comes naturally to some people, and others will suffer a few slips and stepped-on toes before figuring it out. Some partners won’t be compatible. You’ll find your favorite partner isn’t the one who knows all the steps, but the one willing to laugh with you ...


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