It's in the Passion

Lesson 2: The secret's in the passion. 

There is so much dedication in a room full of lindy hoppers. Yes you can take lessons from a few different people in the same state where you grew up and become a good dancer. Perhaps even the best in your venue. But to become a name that is frequently compared to the likes of Frankie Manning around the world you must let your dancing shoes take you around the world. Live from a suitcase and with a traveling gypsy troupe in suspenders and oxfords. And then when you've made it to the top, you teach hours of workshops all over the world. With your travelling gypsy troupe. And you smile the whole time and dance with the person who just learned to triple step yesterday.

And your passion for the art is so big that you are also a musician so you can simply be an extension of the music when you dance. And you become a historian; a keeper of knowledge about the time period when your art form was born and about the people who so lovingly sent out into the world.

Because your passion is so big you have to soak in every aspect of it and then drizzle it upon all those who come close to you.

At least thats what I felt every time I was around Sky and Frida or Sharon and Juan or any other person who had built their life around swing outs and Charleston and Susy Qs. They had obviously worked hard to get where they were and were so willing to share that dedication and passion with so many others.

And it just started me thinking, "Ah, that's it! It's the passion!" To live life fully and dynamically and joyously there must be passion. Whether it be a single passion or several, a simple passion or complex.

So that's it. The secret is in the passion.