Kelsey McNeal/Fox
Donyelle Jones, left, and Benji Schwimmer perform the Viennese Waltz on So You Think You Can Dance.
So, you think you can dance? Me too! And clearly so do many people around the world, with a newfound craze for dancing that’s likely been inspired by a hugely popular reality TV show.
How is this a relationship issue? We all have hopes and dreams, and often times, life gets in the way. Sometimes it’s all we can do to get through the day-to-day stuff. But every once in awhile something, or someone, comes along who reminds us of our dreams, and we get a renewed zest for life.
Truth is, I’m not bad on the floor at a wedding, especially if I’m partnered with my dad. But I’m no Donyelle or Heidi, the two female finalists on the just-finished second season of So You Think You Can Dance.
Oh, sure, you may have passed it over, thinking “Not another reality talent show.” And I wouldn’t have blamed you. But if you like dancing at all, whether you have two left feet or are a professional, you would’ve enjoyed watching these kids give it their all every week.
From untrained hip-hop poppers to classically trained contemporary dancers and technically proficient ballroom dancers, the top 20 were hand-picked, and they then went on to push the envelope in their own areas of skill and passion to show the judges and TV audience their dancing abilities.
In the end, Benji, a ballroom dancer, took home the final prize — money, a car, and a chance to dance in Celine Dion’s new Vegas show.
So how was this show any different from all the other reality programs? This one had strong elements of innocence, ambition, and having the courage to fight for a lifelong dream.
This show made me think about my own dreams, ambitions, successes so far, and where I can still try harder in life. Especially because it wasn’t only about winning the big prize. It was about working vigorously at achieving the dream. These dancers were all young, mostly around 20, and most had devoted their young lives to the tough, sweaty, often painful and unglamorous pursuit of dance.
It’s the relationship with our inner selves that we need to nurture, and which unexpected influences, like other people’s brave efforts, can re-inspire.
