I was in class last night, watching my daughter dance.  Her teacher was explaining to the class the importance of proper training.  He doesn’t just explain HOW……he explains WHY!!!!

I do SO much better with “Why’s”…….

During one of his explanations, he disclosed that HE put himself through dance.  And because he had to earn it, it meant more and he made learning WELL his priority.  He not only studied the subject, but the people who taught him.  He studied the accomplished dancers and watched their delivery.  He absorbed their knowledge and as a result, because he wanted AND EARNED it, he has become a stellar teacher!!!

He called out Aspen a lot during the class, and I explained to her on the way home how glad I was that he did.  I told her the old saying, “Practice Makes Perfect” and then reiterated the newer saying, “PERFECT practice makes perfect.”

But as I reflected on the class, and the comments he made to various students, I noticed that a few of the students went back to their old ways when he wasn’t looking.  Not in a disrespectful sort of way; but a “My body is used to this way” sort of way.  And then I got to thinking….what is the motivation to do it the right way?

I told Aspen that as I was losing weight a few years ago, I took classes.  In one of the classes, I didn’t learn proper form, because the tiny piece of information I needed (stand on the heels of your feet, not the balls of your feet when doing squats) either wasn’t uttered, or I didn’t hear it.  But it wasn’t crucial apparently, because I never “HAD” to develop proper muscles for anything other than being fit…………

Until there was ‘that’ day, when I realized the muscles I hadn’t trained were a bit more necessary than I thought.  Only because I had trained incorrectly for over a year, there was no way I would have the strength necessary for efficient movement I was trying to achieve.  And all at once, I found the VALUE in learning properly.

Learning isn’t just about doing something you are told.  It’s about doing something because you want to do it well.  The thing I loved about this teachers story was he had to earn it, therefore it was precious to him.  And I do feel that for some, when something is just ‘given’, there is no need to do it well.  We can do something right all day long.  But to do it well takes passion and desire.

I was talking to a friend who decided Tap wasn’t in the cards for her.  I asked her why?  She said, “Well, I don’t really have time to do it”.  I said, “But you LOVE it!?”  She said, “Yes, but there is no NEED for me to do it, because all I’m doing is learning steps; but what will I ever DO with those steps?  There’s no show coming up, and I’m not professional, so WHY should I do it??”

Ever ask yourself that question???

I found it interesting because she said she loved it and even created a wood floor in her garage so she could practice.  But the second she realized there was no performance and nothing to work towards, she called it a day and packed up her floor.

I found this interesting, because she did talk about it a lot.  She bought herself tap shoes and couldn’t wait to get to class.  She learned – and from what I could tell, she learned well…..  but then something happened.

I’m guessing her passion wasn’t deep enough, because I happen to know that the Tap teacher was so passionate that when she got her license as a kid, her first order of business was to drive herself to a Tap class.  And now many years later, she is teaching it and still loving it.

And Aspen’s teacher loved dance so much that he paid for it himself (as a kid) because he wanted it so badly, there was no other option!!  And he learned it so passionately and performed through his life and now he teaches his passion to his students.

So where does this leave the kids who just ‘want’ to dance and are ‘given’ that opportunity?  Do they understand true desire for the art?  Do they hunger for the knowledge and are they truly willing to give it all they have to be the best they can be??

To be honest, I suspect the percentage of yes’ is very few.

I’m not saying the dancers aren’t working hard, because I see they are.  But how many of them actually hunger for it?  I’m not sure….

I often question how much to give and what should be earned.  Just the other day, I watched a group of kids – just getting out of school – laughing at a boy who was messing around with his iPhone.  The boy dropped the iPhone and the group laughed.  So the boy proceeded to pick up his phone and continue flipping it in the air until it fell again to the ground.  He laughed as he picked up his phone with absolutely NO regard to the possible damage of the unit.  I’m guessing because he will probably get another if anything were to happen.

I sat in complete disgust over this scenario.  Do you think if he worked for months or years to acquire his phone that he would have treated it with such careless regard???? (as a side note; I’m know him and his mother and I guarantee you she would be shocked to hear her sons behavior, because he’s a good kid).  I do believe it’s a price of privilege!!!

I try to teach my kids regularly that if they want something they have to work hard and earn it.  Though Aspen has a phone, she can’t send or receive pictures and she doesn’t have internet capabilities (I am reminded regularly).  She has a phone that can contact her parents.  And as a result she barely uses it.

Her friends on the other hand can’t go from their house to school in my car without fiddling with their iPhones. ( Trust me when I say, verbal communication is quickly becoming a thing of the past!!)

To want something is grand….to work towards it is awesome….to do it with passion is divine……..

I am thankful to the teachers who teach with passion.  Anyone can give information.  But to instill passion is more important.  I like learning, but if I know WHY the information is important then I can look forward in my understanding and I can see where my knowledge is taking me.  I’m more willing when I truly want it.  But it takes a sense of purpose to achieve it well.  If you are doing something and you don’t know why, chances are you won’t give it your all.

If you are going to do something, you owe it to yourself to do it right.  And if you can’t find the motivation to get it done…maybe you don’t love it as much as you thought you did.

Happy Thursday