There comes a time for all of us when we just have to bite the bullet so to speak, and just do SOMETHING. Something different. Something that explores or lets out a side of us that we have kept hidden from the rest of the world for whatever reason. Usually it is the old "what would the neighbors (boyfriend, husband, co-workers) think if they knew?" Now I am not suggesting anything deviant, I am just saying something out of the norm for us.
Last year, after my father died, I went skydiving. I figured that if I could jump out of a perfectly good airplane from 2 miles up, I could do anything. That was a once in a lifetime experience for me. Now a year later, I am once again facing more life changes, and I found that I needed to get out of the box that I had put myself in. I decided to take up belly dancing.
I did go through the whole "what would other people think" mode. And I did get the wink and a nod reaction from some people, thinking that I was doing this as a way to seduce a man. I patiently explained that I am having problems with my lower back and with my stress level. This is a wonderful way to provide physical therapy while getting out of the house and do something new.
I am loving it! I have even volunteered to dance in public for a Cancer Society event. I have started stretching and doing core exercises at home as well as practicing in front of a mirror. Unlike the picture that I selected, I will not be in a costume like that! I will be covered up! I have chosen a beautiful ghawzee coat, skirt, pantaloons, and dance bra from Anaya Tribal. I can't wait until they come in so I can start practicing in them.
The chance that I am taking is to do something different, to step out of my comfort zone, to risk what my friends and co-workers think of me. But more important, what I think of myself.
Yes, I did it. And here's the pic to prove it. I belly danced in public for the first time. It wasn't perfect and I had issues with this costume. But I did it! I danced, moved, smiled, and enjoyed the freedom of it all. I enjoyed the live drummers that we had with us and found that as I was standing listening that I was moving my hands and hips in time with the beat. The music moved me. 
