The Space Between

“Life is best lived by focusing on your goals and dancing through all other distractions” 

-Author Unknown

In February I started a piece of choreography with my contemporary class that holds a very prominent and sacred place in my heart. I didn't anticipate sharing this particular piece with this class, but timing seemed right. Many years ago I created it in my mind. Its content is heavy, but familiar to many. I have written about the piece in the past. Now I stand humbly by, watching it unfold before me.

Beauty lies in the pause. 

And in our ability to recognize it.

As a class, we started to explore oppositions, like weight verses light, joy versus grief. We played with improvisational movement, breathwork, and collaboration. We explored the power of pause.  

We made each space between movements matter. 

All relatively new subject matter for this particular class. I was taken back by the dancers’ willingness to reach to great depths for creativity’s sake.  By the end of that first class the dancers had asked if we could continue to work on that particular piece. I had a distinct feeling that there was a lot of room for growth in both creative and personal realms for everyone, so we committed to the work. 

There are times in life that we will find ourselves committed to work that asks us to reach deeper than we realize we are capable of. The work may feel oddly familiar and unfamiliar all at the same time. We may question our ability to accomplish the tasks at hand.  

However, Trusting in a greater plan, keeping our eye on the goal, and overriding the outside noise as mere turbulence, Every single one of us can accomplish great and wonderful things.

The high highs and the low lows can wreak havoc on our emotions and render us still and incapacitated to the great work we’re each intended to do on Earth. 

But resting gently, between those highs and lows, is the space in between.

The space where peace resides. 

It's the present moment. 

In the present moment our smile is real, because it is the only thing taking place. We can allow our inhale to fill our being with all that we may be needing. We can experience our exhale gently releasing all that no longer serves our best and highest purpose. In the present breath we replace pain with gratitude, tension for ease and struggle softly surrenders to peace. 

We can give thanks for the breath and for being alive. Because if we’re here, alive on this Earth, then we have important work to do. 

We can trust that we will have the strength, compassion, knowledge, and tools we need to accomplish whatever our Job in the universe is. 

We may never really know what our true Job in the world is,

but I believe our entire life’s events prepare us for it. 

Like the child who is drawn to animals and plays pretend “horsey”, who grows up to be an incredibly talented veterinarian. The one who is always acting, singing, and has an over- the- top personality who grows to be a pop star inspiring millions of others with their performances. The child whose nose is always buried in a book and gets in trouble for their constant chatting & storytelling, who eventually becomes a New York Times Best Seller. 

The quiet child who feels like they’ll never make a difference, but their kind and true friendship and genuine loyalty helps another to feel not so alone.

There is no one else like you who can accomplish what you were created to do. Sometimes the noise will get loud. The noise might cause us to feel overwhelmed and urge us to give up. 

These are the moments to take a deep breath in. 

Breathe in all that is lovely, all that is good, and all that fills your spirit with joy. Hold those thoughts in the space between your hands and deliver them to your heart. 

Breathe those same beautiful ideas out. Share them with your neighbor, your community, and your world. 

Keep your eye on the goal. You were made for this. 

No matter how big or small it may be. If it seems a little crazy or even impossible, then it's even more important to keep pushing forward. Trust in yourself and trust in your Creator. You were made to do good work. 

Dance through the distractions and seek solace in the space between. 

The world is better because you are in it. 

Written by: Jennifer Bement