Yow Kia
Doing Salsa dance is quite an “IN†thing in Singapore recently. I got to know about Salsa dance two years back when I saw my friend - Erika’s dancing gracefully with a male partner in a dance club. I was impressed by her graceful and sexy movements. This year April, together with two of my male friends, we went to sign up for a Salsa dance course. By the way, we three were still SINGLE AND AVAILABLE. When I told my friends that I have signed up for a Salsa course, the very frequent-asked question was, “Are you going there to look for a girl friend?â€. I’m very clear that my first intention to sign up for the course is not to look for a girl friend, but to learn a new dance. I just simply love dancing. Of course, I won’t reject any opportunity if there is a chance for me to build a new relationship. I don’t really know what the first intention of my friends is to sign up for the Salsa dance. I didn’t ask…
Sad to say that, after one month, one of my friends discontinued to join the class. I got to know that he has a new girl friend. It’s common for me to think in the way like other common people think - The first intention for him to sign up for Salsa dance was to look for a girl friend. If not, he wouldn’t stop learning even he has a new girl friend. Unless, unless… His girl friend doesn’t allow him to dance with other girls. That’s too bad!
Another friend of mine, we still continued learning. After another one month, he started to give excuses that he was not free, and intended to stop learning. I asked him, “Do you have a new girl friend now?†Phew… The answer was “NOâ€. I think I know why he stopped learning. We had once set a goal to master the Salsa dance within two months. However, we have to face the reality that, Salsa dance is not an easy dance for guys. As guys, we have to lead the lady into all movements. So, two months to master the Salsa dance is like quite an impossible thing unless we are doing it everyday, intensively. But, for me, Salsa dance is not my first priority, it’s just a leisure activity for me. I won’t do it everyday. Perhaps, to my friend, he felt discouraged and demotivated, and he chose to give up.
Now, it’s already end of July, I’m still a student of my dance school – “Two left feetâ€. I’m the survivor among my friends. I have already got used to this kind of situation, not only in the Salsa scene, but in my Toastmasters journey.
I still remember freshly, in the beginning of this year, during my club meeting, the MC asked the Toastmasters and guests, what their resolution is for this New Year. Majority of them said that they want to complete their projects and achieve an educational award in Toastmasters Club by end of this year. I discovered that saying out a dream, a goal; it’s quite an easy-job. However, to understand the reason why you want to achieve a certain goal and consistently motivate yourself to achieve that goal is not so easy. Those members, who have set goals for themselves in the beginning of the year, are slowly disappearing from the club meeting. They were giving more and more excuses. “The workload is very heavy, very busy.†“I have no time.†“I have to attend course.†“I have to take care of my children.†By seeing these excuses, it appeared to me that, their dreams are so vulnerable that they are so easily got affected by outside influence. It appeared to me that, their dreams are only SITUATIONAL DREAMS, which means the dreams will no longer be their dreams if situation has changed in their life.
Now, I have learnt that to have a FIRM and UNDYING DREAM, one has to know the reasons why he needs to have THAT DREAM. Whenever you start to think of giving up your dreams, remind yourself, the REASONS.
For example, I have a dream of becoming a successful entrepreneur; I have a dream to be a great speaker. The reasons are quite simple, I feel that my capability is far more beyond than what I’m doing now – working for people. I feel that I have the ability to build my own system for others to work for me. I have the ability to influence people with my speaking skills. If I stop chasing my dreams, that means, I have admitted that I have no CAPABILITY at all; I can only be labeled a price tag by others.
Do you have a dream? Are you chasing your dream now? What are your reasons for chasing the dreams? Think about it!
Posted in Positive mindset
Related Post
July 30th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
Kia,
I have the same mindset as you :*)
Glad to see your blog here.
I believe i share with you before that I was the only one who still salsa among my classmate. Like what you are encountering now, friend quit learning after a month. I faced it before. But i told myself that learning salsa is what i want, and with the love in salsa that i had, i’m manage to dance well (accordingly to some of my salsa friend) after 2 months (well in terms of able to read guys’ lead and complete the whole dance without mistake). I agreed that it is hard for guy to dance well in a short period of time and this is what i told you when i encouraged you guys to join. Please continue and don’t give up, i haven’t dance a full song with you yet :-]
Currently, I’m hanging out with salsa friends that i know in the salsa club, not my classmate. Some of the salseros really inspire me and does influence my life not only in salsa but my personal life too. It is great to have another circle of friends who love salsa. Please don’t be shy and come to the dancefloor!!! All girls are waiting for you. At the later stage, you’ll love to salsa in different country like what i’m doing now. You’ll be able to experience the differences in terms of variety of dance moves and behaviour of salseros between country. It is amazingly fun!
Btw, i’m currently learning salsa on-2 step as it is increasingly popular oversea and I believe in Sg soon. I set my target to be able to dance on-2 step during the Singapore International Salsa Festival 2007 which is going to be held during 19 Oct - 21 Oct. Are you interested to go? Do check with me for detail if you wish to know more!
Lastly, jia you!
[reply this comment]
July 31st, 2007 at 8:10 am
Insightful article and some personal thoughts of this subject which I too, often philosophize about. =)
“… have a FIRM and UNDYING DREAM, … think of giving up your dreams, remind yourself, the REASONS.”
I agree but at the same time, have to concede that this requires a lot of mental discipline.
I’ve come across people who KNOW the reasons but because of various other reasons and distractions (valid or just plain excuse), start to lose faith, become tired and the fire reduces to a flame which flickers.
In TM, we often hear motivational talks of “taking the first step” or “journey of thousand miles begin with that step”. However, many fail to remember that while taking the first step is good, taking the 2nd and 3rd step is better and staying the course to the goal is best.
Which is why I like this article.
It serves to remind us that after taking the first step, we can’t stop there. If we want to achieve something, we must keep taking the next step till the end - no matter how tiring, how negative, how heart-breaking.
After all, if someone stops in his/her journey to grasp his/her dream after the first step, then that dream will still remain a dream. Besides, A journey without “adventure” is NOT a true journey worth undertaking.
Something we should all keep in mind but often forget. Myself included. =)
* taps my own head to keep this in mind *
[reply this comment]
July 31st, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Hi Justchay, really appreciate your long comment! I hope your club is doing fine… Ya, you’re right..after taking the first step, we still need to take the 2nd, 3rd, 4th … step. I will keep this in mind. Remember to come by The Frontier TMC Humorous speech and evaluation contest on 21st August 2007. I will be taking part…
[reply this comment]
July 31st, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Geng Yoke, I promise you, I will join you one day at union Square once I’m ready… I won’t give up. Trust me!
[reply this comment]
July 31st, 2007 at 2:32 pm
wei, unfair ler… i also write as long as Justchay, but u only thank him :\
ä¸ è·Ÿ ä½ å¥½ 了 :*)
Also, never invite me to attend your club contest on 21st Aug å 心 :p
[reply this comment]
July 31st, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Ops… so sorry. I thought you could feel my appreciation from heart. Well, now, I sincerely invite you to my club contest… it’s on 21st August 2007. Do come and support!!!
[reply this comment]
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:58 am
I’m just kidding la… i can’t make it on 21 Aug, going home for family photo shooting :*)
Good luck to you in advance… u can do it!!!! Jia You =+)
[reply this comment]