Err... I suppose I should have an example of an answer. Here is...
(I hope I don't rant)
DanceSomething I spend a huge chunk of my life doing. But why? Why do I devote 626.4 hours a year doing this?
Because I love it. It's one of the most enjoyable things to do, second to music, which often I find is connected to dancing. I love dancing, losing myself in the steps and jumps, lifts and beats, por-de-bra's and turns, the side to sides and the front to backs... It's something I love to do. If you ask me about any style of dance I will go off into a never-ending tangent about it. I find the art so beautiful. I love it.
Why else? Because, It's my way of worshiping.
"Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." There is something about dancing and moving around, turning and spinning, that just pours the holy spirit down for me. Worship-dance is an amazing thing. I praise God through dancing!
Why do I dance? With 11 hours of hardcore aerobic activity a week, I have slimmed down fat and bulked up muscle a whole lot. This is definitely on the the adhesives keeping me in dance.
The last reason in dance, is to break the status quo. Who are you if not different. I want to stand out and make a difference where I am so instead of going this way, I go the opposite way. Just as God has "set apart" us and made us "holy". We are to be different than the world as Christians.
Personally; I love the reactions from people I get from when I say; "I do a ballet, yes; I'm a guy. No, I like girls."
There are VERY strong stereotypes involved with males dancing. I am in part here to defy that discrimination. Every dancer I know is very masculine, and we all love what we do. They are all great people. I refuse to accept the saying "ballet is for girls."
Ballet dancers work more hours than any sport.
They have more injuries on average than even football players. And their physical capability necessary to become a professional ballet dancer is near-impossible. The coordination required to remember the steps, do them, and remember where everyone is and what you must do, is insane. The discipline of all professional ballet dancers is right up there with military.
And on dress-wear; I've seen swimmers and football players with tighter pants and less clothes than every danseurs I know or have seen!
Often professional sport players take up ballet for it's physical attributes, it really physically improves a person, makes them stronger, faster. I have even heard stories of people that have quit college football, to join a ballet company.
Don't worry, I'm almost done!
Ballet and contemporary dance is one of the most competitive sports. (Yes; I'm calling dance a sport
). It is nearly impossible to get into a company. (Watch "Breaking Pointe" on TV sometime! It epitomizes the competition).
Dance is something that must be started from a young age, because it is so vast.
The reactions I get from saying "I do ballet" surprise me sometimes. Sometimes it is not understood, but most people accept it. "That's cool!" or "How interesting!"
People are starting to understand the art of dance. Hopefully, more men out there know that it is NOT a sissy sport.
I'm almost done writing!
There are many awesome styles of dance, ballet is the backbone though. Hip hop is acknowledged wherever I go, people like people who can dance. Ballroom has also been helpful. And I'm sure I'll find an opportunity to start African dancing around!
Whatever you do, ballet, jazz, tap, Irish, ballroom, jig, contemporary, African, modern, hip hop, popping, locking, b-boying, gliding, krumping, tutting, acrobatics, ballroom, Davidic, Elizabethan, tango, salsa, bollywood, rumba, waltz... Or all of the above...
Dance is amazing. And I love it.
