I saw this picture when I was browsing something, and i dont know I was speechless when I saw this. I guess words can never express something so beautiful.. so much that it was beyond words... ♥

I was watching the new season of a reality TV dancing competition when a contestant made me cry. Whenever I watch this show, it was as if I can see my passion being made to life by those wonderful dancers. The respect and passion in me is being exemplified by those people as they dance their dreams to life.

When I was a child, I wanted to be a dancer, the next day I wanted to be a singer, and then for a while I wanted to be a female soldier. But as the years went by, my passion for dance never fade. It's like an innocent flame that refused to be extinguished, but at the same time I know that if I allow that fire to grow, that very same passion could extinguish the person that I am. That by allowing it to blossom would eventually make me burned by my own flame, considering reality and many other factors in life. So I am contented to watch and read about people and their stories, to see others bravely facing their own demons and living their dream. Because I know that aside from the passion I have, I might not have the strength of soul to handle all there is to it in the dancing world.

As I see this woman dancing, I was astonished. I saw a "big" woman dancing her dreams on the stage where everyone in the world holds stereotype towards a woman of her size. In this matter, everyone is a sinner, everyone holds the same stereotype. A woman of her size despite of her extremely astonishing talent would definitely find it difficult to prove herself. But when I saw her, I saw a fire that refuses to be extinguished. I saw a woman who follows the road towards her dream. A woman who dares the eyes of those who condemn, of those who criticize, of those who doesn't believe. I saw her fly. And just like what the male judge has said, I was schooled. I hold stereotypes too, for I consider myself ineligible of the dance floor for one. I am not innocent. I live in the same social sphere as we all are, same media, and same stereotype. With all this conditioning statements over the years about size and weight, no one is spared, perhaps of course this woman.

Two of the judges cried, because in spite of her size, this woman and her great talent allowed the world to see just how it is to dance your dream to life. To follow her dreams in spite of all the risks. She didn't make it to the next level of the competition, but having been one of those who were able to see her dance, I was in awe, and probably will be as long as I can remember her on that stage.

She made me remember my dream as a child. Whenever I see people dance, I would always wonder their reason for dancing. Without asking I would hear some say, "I dance because I am good at it, because I was given this talent and it's up for me to show it to the world, to make them see what I can do." some would say, "you owe it to yourself when you are good at something...so you got to do it", some would say, "because I want to show to others that I am good at this, that I can beat them, that I am something." Sometimes I can't help but be sad. I know I can never make them see my point of view because as it is, everyone is entitled of their own opinion and everyone has a reason for everything that we do.

When I was a kid, and probably until now, I tell myself that if I would give in to my dream and dance, I would do so because I believe that the emotions live in me, If I dance hip-hop, the adrenaline, the strength, and the vibe are inside me. If I dance ballroom, the sensuality, the fire, the romance are in my veins. If I dance contemporary, every single bit of emotions are in my blood, they are all there, and I am a vessel which is gifted to relive those emotions through dance, I would dance a language which needs no interpreter, which only needs the eyes and heart to interpret. A language which can reach all countries, which can be understood by all people. I would dance to make others see how good it is to just let your body move, to let your feet step. That dancing is something we can all do together.

With this, I remembered a Korean story about a court dancer in the ancient times. A poor young woman who danced her way into the hearts of her enemies, of the King, of the Ministers, and of the common people.

But as I am today, I am fully aware that there is a certain degree of confidence required to execute all the moves, and I figured I had allowed my own demons to make me as socially incapacitated as I am today. I can dance, but my feet wouldn't cooperate because my hands would shake, and my heart would flutter to even just see people judging before seeing. I got tired and I am out of practice. Dancing is not just about the talent, it's about being comfortable with yourself on the dance floor and being strong for all criticisms and failures that may hit you on your journey.