I'll admit, there are days when a brief glance at the news can be completely overwhelming. But it's moments like this dinner with Anastasia and her family from Ukraine, that I remain humble with joy and love for humanity around the world.
It's been a busy first quarter of the year - speaking, training, taking dance classes, writing and spending time with friends and family. Shortly after the war began in Ukraine, I had a deep sense of wanting to support the people there.
It's been a very busy fall! Dance majors from UMASS Amherst, Toastmasters District 22 Conference and I'm headed to Florida for the Binge Eating Disorder Conference where I will be presenting "Creating the Movement Dialogue Between the Clinician and Patient."
I did it! I am now a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) with the National Speakers Association and you cheered me on all the way!
I hope your summer was filled with movement, friends and fun! It was a whirlwind of dance for me - starting last May when I returned to San Francisco to dance again with the jazz dance company, then to the Berkshires in July to teach jazz at Berkshire Pulse, and lastly, the amazing opportunity to teach at Steps here in New York City! It had me questioning why I had put my dance on the shelf for so many years, and I realized the pain was still there that set the foundation for the work I do today.
The richness of friendship and the organizations I serve inspire and sustain me. As human beings, we have much to share and learn from one another and yet often we hold back from creating relationships for fear of being hurt, not liked, or the feeling of not being good enough.
It's been a lightning speed month AGAIN. So much so that many commitments I had made verbally or otherwise - got dropped, overlooked or 'fell through the cracks.' I’ve been stuck in the 'doing the same thing over and over expecting different results' place in my life. But I keep going.
I had the incredible opportunity to perform with the San Francisco Jazz Dance Company 30 years later! I was a company member from '83-'85 right out of college. The event exceeded my expectations and was truly a dancer's dream come true!
That was by far the longest, coldest winter EVER! When even my very optimistic, upbeat, energetic friends conceded it was a difficult winter, I knew it wasn't just the estrogen leaving my body that might be bringing me down.
New York City: My favorite city in the world. Here is where I found my groove, where I launched my careers and grew my business. From jazz dancer to trainer to speaker, this city has been the backdrop to ALL of my professional fulfillment.
