The Power of Women's Words

Last night I taught the second of 4 workshops in Wild Woman Gypsy skirts combos for street festivals, ren fairs and drum jams.  It was a lively class, filled with flying skirts and hooting women.

At the end, a beautiful young woman named Adida came over to me and began to talk in a quieter voice.  She seemed a bit more intense in that moment than during the class.

She came over to tell me how much she loved the workshop.

That seems simple enough, doesn't it?  It was a fun evening, I taught new things to new people. There was a lot of laughing and so much energy that if we could store it, we'd never need to buy gasoline again.  So, a new dancer came over to share her enjoyment.

But there's more to it than that.  Adida looked me in the eye.  She settled her energy.  She told me more about herself, her dance journey, and listed the details of why she enjoyed the workshop- the history, the focus on technique, the focus on creativity while maintaining dancer identity.  She took the time, not just to pad my ego, but to prop me up.

To prop me up.

When women take the time and the thought this requires, and offer it freely, it becomes a part of the support system the other woman can carry with her.

And I needed it in the most awful way.  I was having an extremely hard day with grief (they come on strong at times.)  There was a misunderstanding in my dance group with too many voices.  My baby was flying over the Atlantic ocean and I. Just. Wanted. That. Plane. To. Land.

And then Adida walked over, tempered her energy, and with an open heart, offered words to help me. All this, without ever knowing the turmoil of my day.

Perhaps, though, she sensed it.  Perhaps, with our shared energy of the night, she caught something of need on the wind.  I don't know.

What I do know is that her kind words of appreciation were not offered flippantly, giggly or without thought.  She offered a bit more of herself for the pure sake of kindness.

And then there were my dance sisters, literally offering arms of support.  I hope I give them something in return, for their shared kindness, eyes that look right into mine and gentle reminders to stay the course strengthen me each day.