One of the last pieces that I created for The Avodah Dance Ensemble was called Balancing Act. I was fascinated with the different ways we catch ourselves when we are losing our balance and how we can support each other to find balance. The motivation for creating the piece was mainly from a physical point of view, although there were certain emotional challenges that I was facing at the time. I didn’t explore any; I just approached the choreography with a physical fascination.
I love this picture from the piece. In this moment the dancer is grounded to the floor with her one leg while the rest of her is reaching out… looking … exploring what’s around her, with both arms testing the space, her focus up and one leg in the air reaching for a giant step forward. Try this … balance on one foot with your head facing the ceiling! Natrea Blake did an outstanding job in the piece.
If I were to create this piece today it would come totally from an emotional place. The events of the past year pose daily hurdles for me to keep my balance and stay informed with what is happening in the world without sinking into a deep depression. A quick Google search of the relationship between the news and mental health showed that I am not alone. In today’s blog, I’ll share what is helping me to stay aware of what is happening, while maintaining a healthy outlook. I welcome you to add a comment as to the tools you are using.
- Setting limits. I set boundaries as to how much time I will spend keeping up with the news. I find I can no longer spend even a half hour listening to news. I am best to read headlines on the computer and then a few paragraphs of an article. I also rely on a few daily email journalists on Substack to skim what they are sharing.
- Being creative each day is essential. For me, spending some time painting is very calming. When I am painting, all my focus is on the picture.
A painting I just completed of a Pitahaya in full bloom.
- My new project of creating a dance film about resistance is helping. Even though I am realistic that my goal will be to finish it and share it on this blog, it feels good to be doing something related to my concern for democracy in the United States.
- Challenging myself to do something new. And then feeling good about accomplishing it. Leaf cutter ants are both amazing and a problem in Costa Rica. Overnight an army of these ants can destroy a tree, making a parade back to the nest carrying a part of a leaf. Recently when I was walking the property I discovered I had three different areas affected. I solved the problem through both pellets and painting a dot on the leaves as the ants marched by. The ants carry either the pellet or the leaf with the poison dot back to the nest. I only spent 15 minutes focused on painting leaves or putting out pellets, and there are no more ants doing damage today. Of course, I will need to keep a daily watch and most likely repeat this several more times in the next few months.
- Reaching out to friends, particularly in person, and enjoying time together with only limited conversation related to the news.
- In the evening watching fun movies that cheer me up.
These are some of the things that are helping to keep my spirits up. I want to hear what you are doing. Please share in the comment section so we can all benefit.
Like you, being creative each day is essential to my well-being. My main creative outlet right now is making small improvements to my home. The work keeps me in the moment. I’ve also started gardening this year. Everything I’m involved with is about crafting a calming space for myself and my family.
Thanks for sharing Danielle. How special for your family that you are focusing on crafting calming spaces!
JoAnne
Lovely.
Thanks
Your blog was reassuring and inspiring! Walking is one of my most calming activities. When I was in India last year, we walked every day before breakfast. I have just started re-adopting this, and I am pledging to myself to keep this up. I also watch and read way less of the news than I used to. Because Joel works for the WSJ, he gets news alerts all the time and lets me know highlights and/or major events. I look a bit at headlines. It is indeed a stressful time, and my students are worried about the future too. I am presenting papers on collaborative dance organizations of the late 1920s and early 1930s at the Dance Studies Association conference and the NDEO conference this summer and fall (related to Tamiris research as she was influential in these cooperative ventures). I think these models of groups coming together to share resources and support each other maybe be useful in our current time.
Thanks… yes for walking and sometimes just walking the labyrinth in my garden really helps and I forgot to include that in the blog!
Crissy and I have a room in our home we call Little Giddings (the Four Quartets). We have a small altar with candles to help us focus in welcoming the Divine. We get up around 4️⃣ am and study and meditate for an hour or more. One of our favorite studies has been Turning to the Mystics with Jim Finley(podcast) and learning, using and teaching the practice of Lectio Divina. Oneing ( a state of oneness, union, unity, or unification, in a spiritual context with the Universe) has helped us stay grounded during this difficult and crazy time.
We love and miss you. Your recent paintings is gorgeous! Trey
Thanks for sharing how you and Crissy start the day. What a beautiful practice.
I find the need to stop frequently during the day and take a deep breath and ground myself in my Being.
Thanks Judy. A good reminder to just stop and take a deep breath!
I listen to Lewis Kirk on Book Club and sometimes join in the chat. I also take a super beginners ballet class at the Y. I also will go out and walk about which can help break any spell I’m in at the moment. I too only grab news headlines from the computer and few at that. Sometimes an article but more often I will watch an interview on the computer, controlling the adds, and I don’t watch tv. Don’t have TV. I read books. And scrubbing the floor can work wonders. There are always chores. I resist doing them but breaking that resistance is key for me. Talking with other people. Being with them. Going out to a concert, a ballet, or any other type of event as something to look forward to. The world grows lonelier for people. Sometimes a long conversation on the phone with someone near and dear brings connection. I would like to start a book club live, not on the computer. But for people near and around. Human contact is what’s needed. How to create more of that.
Thanks Lynn. Yes human contact is really important!
Hi, Lynn! This is Maggie from many decades ago. Hope you are well. JoAnne has my email if you would like r to get in touch.
Hi Maggie… How about if I send Lynn your email and tell her you are reaching out as I am not sure whether she goes back to view comments! Send me a note to confirm that you like this idea,
JoAnne
Hi Lynn! Maggie here from many decades ago. Good to see your name here and read your comments. JoAnne has my email if you would like to get in touch. Take care!
Your words of wisdom are much appreciated! Your actions, painting the dots, reminds me that pest management needn’t be elaborate or an all-out-war approach. What a great metaphor for dealing with other irritants in life.
Meanwhile your creations, both painting and writing, are a true inspiration to me! Onward~
Thank you Tracy!
Not surprisingly, since I’ve been a mover/dancer/choreographer my whole life, moving, with others and on my own, helps me stay grounded. A yoga practice, pilates, or dancing are daily rituals. Lately I’ve been incorporating a brisk walk with a hill at the end as a final challenge. I’ve found my best creative sparks often come while walking. I’ll suddenly have an insight about a writing project Im working on. Something about the rhythm of the walking pace coupled with breathing clears out the anxiety of our current moment.
Thanks Dina for sharing!