Today is my 37th birthday. Seems insane to me, but I suppose this is the age in which the numbers seem incomprehensible. When you are younger this seems a lifetime away and now that I’m here it was no time at all. Really makes you think about the ephemerality of life and how you spend your time. There just isn’t enough of it to muck about. Spending time in your head moping about this and that is the absolute worst use of your time. Get out, be in the world, meet others, make and make and make and make. What is life if not to alter the world around you just a little bit? What is living if not sharing it with others? I was incredibly fortunate to be able to do that a lot last year with a bunch of lovely folks. American Ballet Theatre, The New York Choreographic Institute, Charlotte ballet, ballet Idaho, The San Francisco Ballet, PBS, Raja Feather Kelly, Jonathan Coleman, Spider Horse, Arkai, Hamptons Dance Project, Ryan Chun, Underhill Films, and so many more. I really never would have dreamed I would end up doing what I am doing at the level that I am. I always thought I would be a choreographer for ballet companies. But things happened and paths changed and I flowed as best I could with the tides. I suppose you can surf the waves even if you can’t redirect them. Here’s to another action packed year of being a conscious creature in this universe.
Things I’ve learned
Follow your bodies hunger patterns, not society’s schedule for eating.
Save money always, but also know when to spend on yourself.
Love is about letting go, not figuring it out.
Belief in yourself seems to kickstart all things, not ego, just belief.
If you don’t have a plan it won’t happen.
Get TSA pre, it’s worth it.
Trust your instincts when creating at all costs, it will bite you if you don’t.
Respect everyone, you never know what person is getting in your way behind the scenes.
Children don’t understand absolutes and shouldn’t be expected to.
You can put a limit on how much your parents share, and you should.
Test your ideas as much as you can before you get to the shoot.
Try to learn how to not hold onto friends too tightly, the ones who want to be there will be.
Hold doors, lift bags, pick up items, the small gestures matter.
Always, always send thank you cards.
If you repeat something in your head long enough you can interrupt other thought patterns.
listen, deeply and consistently to others, even if you’re tired.
