Perspective leads to insight. Insight leads to paradigm shift. Paradigm shift leads to living life with a clearer view of reality. A clearer view of reality gives us the opportunity to make better choices.
Most of the girls in my ballet class are between 12 and 16 years old. As the oldest (by far) I can offer them the perspective of age for their teenage high school problems. But, last week, we were all schooled in a perspective we did not expect. Our new ballet teacher is a charming Cuban immigrant. He’s a great technician but also maintains a fun atmosphere in class. I love my girls but, many like to goof off and get the teachers side tracked. Some goof off to get out of work while others do it mostly because they are excitable pre-teens. Either way, our playful Cuban finally had enough of seeing talent wasted on lack of work and discipline. He stopped class halfway through barre on Wednesday, looked at us, and in his broken English said “I tell you something…. and….you listen.” He told us why Cuban ballet was currently ranked number three in the world behind America and England: discipline and exclusivity. A young Cuban cannot just take a ballet class. The government selects them for their potential and the students can only stay if they work and excel.
“Here in America…America…great country. You have opportunity. You can… choose… to come ballet class. But, you (have to) work..to get to top. I come here to this country…and you know what I do? No, I no tell you…OK I tell you. I dish washer.” A collective “eeeww” came from the sheltered and privileged group of young girls and a look of shame on the face of our charming teacher. I couldn’t keep my mouth shut, “NO! There is no ew. No job is beneath anyone. There is no shame in working hard. A job is a job!”
Silence…..
“Right,” he said. “And I no stay a dishwasher. Ballet taught me discipline and hard work. I got job at HEB and then I manager at HEB. After few years, I back ballet…dance all over world now. (If) you learn discipline and hard work from ballet…you (can) do anything. But…work is here…work is now…find..what motivate you….When you come in room…I here for you…I make you great ballet dancer…but if you no learn from me…and work…then…no. I paid to teach class if you learn…or no learn…You choose.”
Chills…
Back to the barre returned a more sober group of young ladies; young ladies with a new perspective, better equipped to make choices about the realities of life. “I didn’t realize I was so fortunate to be able to take ballet class. Do I chose to work today? What motivates me?”
People sometimes ask me if I have daughters if I will put them in ballet class one day. “Absolutely yes,” I reply. Of course I won’t force them if their interest lies elsewhere. But, I will certainly encourage them toward an environment where they have a “barre:” A symbol of discipline and hard work in the pursuit of truth and beauty, an opportunity to learn from disciplined teachers what it takes to succeed.