A season of Community

My alarm clock goes off around 8a.m. This morning feels chillier then usual. I move aside my indian style silk curtain to see the weather outside when lo- and behold the fairy dust of snow is sprinkling down from the sky! I know i'm going to look silly walking down the street's because i had dance but i still get all geared up with my navy rain boots, pink sweats, grey and bergundy scarf, and forest green puffy jacket(no makeup) to meet my friend at La Pein before on 6th ave and 17th street.

As i'm walking i realize how wet i'm getting. I didn't know if it was appropriate to bring an umbrella so i didn't?I'm walking down 7th ave passing 4th street 5th street freezing my little tushi off all the way up to 16th when i realize I TOLD HIM 6TH AVE WHEN IT'S 7TH AVE!! I quickly dig in my pockets to get my phone-not there.... I sit down on some steps of a building to dig through my bag when i still can't find it! I'm acting crazed and concerned for i know it's about 9a.m. the time i should be meeting him and i can't call him! My frantic digging is interrupted by an older man asking if i needed help. In my craze i mentioned meeting a friend, not having a phone but talking super choppy because i was so focussed on what my next step would be. While this man is talking my ear off i realize im sitting on the steps of a church and this man thinks i'm crazy and homeless...HOMELESS!!! I'm trying to tell him "sir i'm not homeless just meeting a friend" he doesn't believe me- starts telling me where i can get free stuff and a free phone and blah blah blah...it's officially the worst day ever!(just goes to show NEVER to wear that silly outfit again)

I started heading back to my house on the verge of tears! My friend is waiting in the cold somewhere, i don't have my phone, i'm wet and freezing, and apparently look like some starving hanus homeless high-school drop out!!! gah!!!!!

But then i start thinking about what i learned in my choreography class, I shouldn't be so set in my opinions and assumptions- on my likes or dislikes because they block the opportunity for me to take part in the endless discoveries within another point of view. So I flip this worst day ever and think "God you can make all things good , let's make this the best day ever!"

I get home call my friend and meet up with him smoothly. We have a lovely coffee date talking back and forth easily and I feel so lifted by his presence. Then i'm off to dance where I have 2 ballet classes in a row followed by Choreo. The first begins by dancing with my oh so talented and inspiring peers ends with an enlightening discussion between my teacher and I about plans for my future. The second class begins by meeting my new teacher for the first time and ends with beautiful sweat due to my favorite ballet class i've had since i moved out here in August. I finish Choreography class feeling equally filled by the creativity and rawness that was presented in class. There's this amazing unity when you exchange energy with fellow dancers. So many discoveries made, moments to laugh, ages to cry, and endless epiphany's unfold within each class. Dance creates a strong bond between people and a large sense of community which is so needed in the lonely streets of NYC.

That was our topic in Bible study this week, Loneliness. The need for community. Every class i'm in this semester is revolving around this theme of Community. Community is so important in a persons life. THe fulfillment, richness, rawness, and playfulness of other human beings feed the soul with a food that's otherwise lost. Yes, you must be open and vulnerable in order to receive this exchange of energy and yes you can get hurt BADLEY but without community my worse day ever could have never changed into my most exciting day yet! I am thoroughly grateful for EVERY person i encountered within this day.