Life as a Modern Dancer

The 2018 Artists' Gratitude Project: Week 52 (Physical Facility)

From Blog Director Jill Randall:

The 2018 Artists’ Gratitude Project - a weekly practice. 

The potential for positivity, hope, change, and appreciation.

I feel a sense of surprise as I write this 52nd post for this project. The year has zipped by us. I did appreciate, however, these weekly brief pauses to consider aspects of my artistic life. I hope that you did as well. 

 

Week 52: Physical Facility, and/or Adaptations with Age

Today and this week, I offer gratitude for:

This body and what it can do right now. The present moment and this artistic body. Challenges and limitations leading to creativity and imagination, creating the new and newly discovered.

I think of the documentary I watched this week called And I Continue - A Conversation about Dancing and Aging. Please check it out here. And I think about all of the wonderful stories on the blog of dancers over 40. Read some of them here.

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The Artists' Gratitude Project: Week 51

The 2018 Artists’ Gratitude Project: A Weekly Practice

The potential for positivity, hope, change, and appreciation.

Do you feel the dichotomy? Many artists come from an upbringing of extensive support and opportunity - with training, classes, private lessons, workshops, mentors, supplies, and equipment. Many go onto colleges, conservatories, and masters programs. Yet, as artists in the U.S. today, many of us live with modest incomes to support our families and to keep making our work. Many times - we can end up feeling bitter, resentful, and negative.

Would a weekly gratitude practice inspire and promote personal change, hope, and contentment?

Whether you consider each weekly idea while on the subway commuting to work - or you decide to write in a personal journal - please join us on this journey in 2018. The 52 ideas were brainstormed and then placed in a random order. Thank you to colleagues Valerie Gutwirth, Juliana Monin, and Brian Smith for help launching this project.

Each week, one idea/intention/consideration will be shared.

 

Week 51: What I made in the time I had

Today and this week, I offer gratitude for:

Ideas and projects I came through on. Completion. Meeting the moment. 

Yes, I might always want more time, more feedback, and more edits. 

But the container of time can be a creative limit and an appreciated boundary.

I made something. I did it. Completion.

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The Artists' Gratitude Project: Week 50 (The Experience of Humility)

The 2018 Artists’ Gratitude Project: A Weekly Practice

The potential for positivity, hope, change, and appreciation.

Do you feel the dichotomy? Many artists come from an upbringing of extensive support and opportunity - with training, classes, private lessons, workshops, mentors, supplies, and equipment. Many go onto colleges, conservatories, and masters programs. Yet, as artists in the U.S. today, many of us live with modest incomes to support our families and to keep making our work. Many times - we can end up feeling bitter, resentful, and negative.

Would a weekly gratitude practice inspire and promote personal change, hope, and contentment?

Whether you consider each weekly idea while on the subway commuting to work - or you decide to write in a personal journal - please join us on this journey in 2018. The 52 ideas were brainstormed and then placed in a random order. Thank you to colleagues Valerie Gutwirth, Juliana Monin, and Brian Smith for help launching this project.

Each week, one idea/intention/consideration will be shared.

 

Week 50: The Experience of Humility

Today and this week, I offer gratitude for:

Humbleness, quiet, perspective. The experience of humility is a hard gift and gets me to look at my present career/life/privilege and to carefully consider my actions/art/words in the future. Gathering a bigger picture. Pausing and reflecting. Feeling some discomfort. Thank you.

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The Artists' Gratitude Project: Week 49 (Funders and Foundations)

The 2018 Artists’ Gratitude Project: A Weekly Practice

The potential for positivity, hope, change, and appreciation.

Do you feel the dichotomy? Many artists come from an upbringing of extensive support and opportunity - with training, classes, private lessons, workshops, mentors, supplies, and equipment. Many go onto colleges, conservatories, and masters programs. Yet, as artists in the U.S. today, many of us live with modest incomes to support our families and to keep making our work. Many times - we can end up feeling bitter, resentful, and negative.

Would a weekly gratitude practice inspire and promote personal change, hope, and contentment?

Whether you consider each weekly idea while on the subway commuting to work - or you decide to write in a personal journal - please join us on this journey in 2018. The 52 ideas were brainstormed and then placed in a random order. Thank you to colleagues Valerie Gutwirth, Juliana Monin, and Brian Smith for help launching this project.

Each week, one idea/intention/consideration will be shared.

 

Week 49: Funders and Foundations

Today and this week, I offer gratitude for:

The wonderful people - individuals and those working at organizations - who are funding my work. That you for the support, the boost, and BELIEVING in what I make, or what I could potentially do. Every contribution is integral to my work. Thank you.

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The Artists' Gratitude Project: Week 47 (Mistakes)

The 2018 Artists’ Gratitude Project: A Weekly Practice

The potential for positivity, hope, change, and appreciation.

Do you feel the dichotomy? Many artists come from an upbringing of extensive support and opportunity - with training, classes, private lessons, workshops, mentors, supplies, and equipment. Many go onto colleges, conservatories, and masters programs. Yet, as artists in the U.S. today, many of us live with modest incomes to support our families and to keep making our work. Many times - we can end up feeling bitter, resentful, and negative.

Would a weekly gratitude practice inspire and promote personal change, hope, and contentment?

Whether you consider each weekly idea while on the subway commuting to work - or you decide to write in a personal journal - please join us on this journey in 2018. The 52 ideas were brainstormed and then placed in a random order. Thank you to colleagues Valerie Gutwirth, Juliana Monin, and Brian Smith for help launching this project.

Each week, one idea/intention/consideration will be shared.

 

Week 47: Mistakes

Today and this week, I offer gratitude for:

Mistakes. Mess. Error. Mishaps. Learnings. 

I am grateful for the humbling lessons, the hard lessons, the huge learnings within one small day. 

I am also grateful for mistakes within my art making process that lead to something wonderful, new, unexpected. 

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The Artists' Gratitude Project: Week 46 (Editors and Proofreaders)

The 2018 Artists’ Gratitude Project: A Weekly Practice

The potential for positivity, hope, change, and appreciation.

Do you feel the dichotomy? Many artists come from an upbringing of extensive support and opportunity - with training, classes, private lessons, workshops, mentors, supplies, and equipment. Many go onto colleges, conservatories, and masters programs. Yet, as artists in the U.S. today, many of us live with modest incomes to support our families and to keep making our work. Many times - we can end up feeling bitter, resentful, and negative.

Would a weekly gratitude practice inspire and promote personal change, hope, and contentment?

Whether you consider each weekly idea while on the subway commuting to work - or you decide to write in a personal journal - please join us on this journey in 2018. The 52 ideas were brainstormed and then placed in a random order. Thank you to colleagues Valerie Gutwirth, Juliana Monin, and Brian Smith for help launching this project.

Each week, one idea/intention/consideration will be shared.

 

Week 46: My Editors and Proofreaders

Today and this week, I offer gratitude for:

The fabulous and patient friends, colleagues, and family members who review my writing and grants. Thank you for your time, your suggestions, and your good intentions towards my work. I appreciate and value the outside perspective.

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The Artists' Gratitude Project: Week 45 (Teachers)

The 2018 Artists’ Gratitude Project: A Weekly Practice

The potential for positivity, hope, change, and appreciation.

Do you feel the dichotomy? Many artists come from an upbringing of extensive support and opportunity - with training, classes, private lessons, workshops, mentors, supplies, and equipment. Many go onto colleges, conservatories, and masters programs. Yet, as artists in the U.S. today, many of us live with modest incomes to support our families and to keep making our work. Many times - we can end up feeling bitter, resentful, and negative.

Would a weekly gratitude practice inspire and promote personal change, hope, and contentment?

Whether you consider each weekly idea while on the subway commuting to work - or you decide to write in a personal journal - please join us on this journey in 2018. The 52 ideas were brainstormed and then placed in a random order. Thank you to colleagues Valerie Gutwirth, Juliana Monin, and Brian Smith for help launching this project.

Each week, one idea/intention/consideration will be shared.

 

Week 45: My Teachers, Past and Present

Today and this week, I offer gratitude for:

All of the wonderful people I have learned from over the years. I am grateful for the lessons and language that still seeps in and informs my work. I am grateful for the longevity of the lessons. Thank you, my teachers, for the care, support, skills, and challenges posed.

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The Artists' Gratitude Project: Week 43 (Board of directors/advisory board)

The 2018 Artists’ Gratitude Project: A Weekly Practice

The potential for positivity, hope, change, and appreciation.

Do you feel the dichotomy? Many artists come from an upbringing of extensive support and opportunity - with training, classes, private lessons, workshops, mentors, supplies, and equipment. Many go onto colleges, conservatories, and masters programs. Yet, as artists in the U.S. today, many of us live with modest incomes to support our families and to keep making our work. Many times - we can end up feeling bitter, resentful, and negative.

Would a weekly gratitude practice inspire and promote personal change, hope, and contentment?

Whether you consider each weekly idea while on the subway commuting to work - or you decide to write in a personal journal - please join us on this journey in 2018. The 52 ideas were brainstormed and then placed in a random order. Thank you to colleagues Valerie Gutwirth, Juliana Monin, and Brian Smith for help launching this project.

Each week, one idea/intention/consideration will be shared.

 

Week 43: Board of directors/advisory board

Today and this week, I offer gratitude for:

Advocates, leaders, and support networks for my work. Whether a board of directors for a nonprofit, or an advisory board, these are amazing and generous people offering their time, ears, and open hearts. Thank you for being a net, an umbrella, a hug. Thank you for your generosity of time and ideas.

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The Artists' Gratitude Project: Week 41 (Advocates for the Field)

The 2018 Artists’ Gratitude Project: A Weekly Practice

The potential for positivity, hope, change, and appreciation.

Do you feel the dichotomy? Many artists come from an upbringing of extensive support and opportunity - with training, classes, private lessons, workshops, mentors, supplies, and equipment. Many go onto colleges, conservatories, and masters programs. Yet, as artists in the U.S. today, many of us live with modest incomes to support our families and to keep making our work. Many times - we can end up feeling bitter, resentful, and negative.

Would a weekly gratitude practice inspire and promote personal change, hope, and contentment?

Whether you consider each weekly idea while on the subway commuting to work - or you decide to write in a personal journal - please join us on this journey in 2018. The 52 ideas were brainstormed and then placed in a random order. Thank you to colleagues Valerie Gutwirth, Juliana Monin, and Brian Smith for help launching this project.

Each week, one idea/intention/consideration will be shared.

 

Week 41: Advocates for the Field

Today and this week, I offer gratitude for:

Colleagues and friends working towards funding, arts education programs, and equity in the grant making process. Let's also consider equity and inclusion very broadly as well. Who gets to participate in arts experiences, and share their artwork? Where are the opportunities? Thank you for your major work for the field.

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The Artists' Gratitude Project: Week 39

The 2018 Artists’ Gratitude Project: A Weekly Practice

The potential for positivity, hope, change, and appreciation.

Do you feel the dichotomy? Many artists come from an upbringing of extensive support and opportunity - with training, classes, private lessons, workshops, mentors, supplies, and equipment. Many go onto colleges, conservatories, and masters programs. Yet, as artists in the U.S. today, many of us live with modest incomes to support our families and to keep making our work. Many times - we can end up feeling bitter, resentful, and negative.

Would a weekly gratitude practice inspire and promote personal change, hope, and contentment?

Whether you consider each weekly idea while on the subway commuting to work - or you decide to write in a personal journal - please join us on this journey in 2018. The 52 ideas were brainstormed and then placed in a random order. Thank you to colleagues Valerie Gutwirth, Juliana Monin, and Brian Smith for help launching this project.

Each week, one idea/intention/consideration will be shared.

 

Week 39: Healthcare, Bodyworkers, and Therapists of All Kinds

Today and this week, I offer gratitude for:

This wonderful group of people who keep me going and keep me whole. Care, attention, support, and ideas. Seeing me, helping me. It is a privilege to have healthcare, bodyworkers, and therapists of all kinds available to me. Thank you.

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