Last Thursday I was feeling pretty discouraged. I just kept thinking "what the heck is going on with my life?" and on my way to rehearsal I found myself thinking of all the different career paths I could have chosen and why the heck I decided on dance. There is a reason why there is the stereotypical insane artist and I was experiencing that in full force. I even thought, "Well, if I quit now I still have time to go back to school to be ___ or ___ or even ____." Yeah, it was a bad day. Not for any reason other than my own frustrations and insecurities.
But as I drove to rehearsal I decided to say a prayer. To make a long story short my prayer basically said, "Help me figure out my life."
When I got to rehearsal the director of the company I choreograph for gave me a song on a CD and said "just see what you get with this song." I put it in, pressed play, and listened.
Within minutes ideas came to me left and right and I started teaching the dancers all the choreography that flowed out of me like water. It was insane. Every time I created more movement it just magically fit and before I knew it I had choreographed the first third of the song in less than a half hour.
I don't talk a lot about my faith on this blog- this is a dancing blog about two Branflakes in love. But I thought I would share this experience with you because I felt I would be ungrateful if I did not recognize the gifts and blessings in my life. That night was an answer to a prayer and I cannot deny that.
We all need confirmation that the paths we are taking are the right ones. Sometimes these confirmations are few and far between and that's a trying and at times scary place to be in your life. But I believe in the power of prayer. I believe that we all have a reason to be on this earth and that there is a plan for us. It's a great plan riddled with happiness.
I know I have shown these photos before but I can't help but appreciate the symbolism of me dancing and a light overhead telling me "Hey, Branflake, don't worry. Everything will be okay." photos by Susan Yee of En Pointe Photography
31 comments:
Gorgeous photos!! xo
I'd love to see you dance and that last photo is stunning. Beautiful post, darling..
that is a wonderful story! its so great knowing that prayer and faith can help get you through tough stops. congrats on your choreography! :) i am sure it was beautiful. xo
Everyone hits road blocks-I always look for "signs" to guide me along the way :)
Lilac and Grey
These are truly two of the most beautiful photographs I have ever seen of you, Tiffany.
The power of prayer is an incredible thing. It's as if you saying those words before your rehearsal gave you an epiphany - I am so happy for you! :)
Sending you good thoughts hon!
oh Tiffany what a beautiful post :) We all feel that way every now and then you know... I know I do. xo
This brought tears to my eyes. I am an artist (visual) and often struggle with thoughts like these. My daughter is about to start a degree (in Dance) and I am going to show her your post.
Having faith is everything x
LOVE this! -- i'm always double checking to see if i'm on my "right path" - i always wonder why i did this, why didn't i do that - but THAT'S what made us who we are today - you ARE a dancer - u bring life to people and beauty -- i love that u shared this with us!!!
*kiss kiss*
Erika~Tiptoe Butterfly~
i think we all go through these seasons - and yes, prayer is such an important part of the process.
thanks for sharing a piece of you today, friend. :)
I'm so glad you shared these photos and your moment of faith. While my beliefs are far less defined, I'll never forget the moments that I've asked for help in a time of crisis and truly received it. And I'm delighted that you got such guidance!
what a beautiful post tiffany...and that last picture- is perfection. because of course it will be alright ;)
I HEAR you! Every step of the way. I don't mention my faith a lot on my blog either. It seems anytime I "give it to God" doors open that I never imagined possible!!!
I'll be praying for you, my dear Tiffany.
Great great post! The power of prayer is simply wonderful and amazing!
great post. isn't amazing what prayer does? It surprises you with answers you would never expect. Beautiful words.
Thanks,
Lindsay
i'm really glad you posted this. lately i've been feeling like my prayers are one sided, and it's quiet moments like the one you shared that help remind me of my own, and inspire me to remember and keep going :)
Wow, that's amazing, and an experience I share with you... currently, actually, as I try to choreograph a piece that is important to me but I easily get stuck by insecure thoughts... "Does this look stupid? Why can't I come up with cool/beautiful moves like my peers?" blah blah blah... But then I pause and remember that I'm doing all this for a higher purpose, so then I take a moment to have a little chat with God. Thank you for sharing, Ms. Branflake!
xoxo J
Oh Tiffany, it's not always easy to keep believing in one's choices and way... but this experience shows that you're dancer in your heart. X
Thank you for this. I've been struggling myself--why did I choose to be a writer when no one publishes me, etc....thank you for reminding me I write because I must.
I'm glad you decided to share this story with us, because it happens to all of us, the self-doubt...but to know that there is a greater power that empowers us, that pushes us forward, well that's pretty amazing!
That's great. Happy for you:) I absolutely believe in the power of prayer. And especially the power of hope and faith when we are going down a path that seems unfamiliar or even uncomfortable. There is always light at the end of the tunnel–if you want it.
What a beautiful post Tiff! I totally believe that as well. Gorgeous photos too :) xoxo
Where would we be without faith? Love that photo!
When choreography and ideas flow out of you like that, you know you're on the right path. Keep that faith, and whenever you lose it, remember that other people believe in you (I certainly do). Don't be surprised when interesting projects come your way to remind you of your talent.
that is so true! before my current job, i hadn't conducted therapy in about a year. i felt like i had forgotten how to be a therapist and lost all interest in trying. luckily, i have legal obligations to do internships within a certain time period, so that kept me going. but i was definitely doing the whole "hmm... maybe i could get another degree in ____, or break my way into the _____ field. even when i landed my therapy job, i felt so lost. i thought that i had forgotten everything i learned in school and life, and would never get it back. i'm happy to say that i'm getting it all back though, it's just a matter of being patient until the right timing. sigh... becoming virtuous is so overrated! :)
These are SUCH good words to read today. I'm finally in school again (I was only out for six months, but it felt like forever because I wanted to back so badly!) and now I keep tripping over myself and wondering if I'm in the right place. I think I am, but I'm still praying for that confirmation!
Gorgeous picture! I'd love to see your choreography. Is there anything better than feeling truly inspired when you're choreographing? I always like to be reminded that the word "inspiration" comes from the idea that when you create something really beautiful and great it's because God is breathing through you...
This is beautiful. Prayer is certainly powerful. Thanks for being a good example to me!
I totally understand what your thinking..except I did cut and go do something else. I am happy with my choice, but I cant help but feel a little.. stuck in non dance body now. So I am glad you were shown the inspiration and confirmation you needed to rest assured that it is the right move and career for you.
I still get flooded with ideas when I hear songs. i cant help but to block it all in my head and replay it and I can feel my legs twitching to be doing the moves themselves some times.
I love when we can send up a prayer, or a thanks and see it come aroudn to us :)
I always joke about unfollowing or unfriending people that talk about church too much. (My dad is a preacher, and I kind of had enough of religion growing up, and just decided that the organizational part of it is not for me. I call myself an atheist, but the truth is, in my heart of hearts I'm undecided because I lack the evidence to put the pieces together. Maybe I believe in god, maybe I don't. It will probably take something profound happening to me to put me into one category or the other.) But just so you know, I'm not that big of a jerk. :]
That being said, my mind is a wreck lately.. and I know that I need to start meditating again in the mornings before my house wakes up. Something inside of me is telling me to. I think this is the little push I needed to just do it.
most definitely, things will be ok. when i feel discouraged, i always happen upon an unusual source of strength to help guide the way. I'm glad you have yours and that it's helping you--in this instance to choreograph a song.
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