Dance community — be kind

In a world where you can be anything, be kind.

My biggest passion is dancing. That's what feeds my soul. The dance community is where I spend most of my time outside of family.

Dancing is my Happy Place. I believe the people who come to learn to dance and end up staying in the community are looking for that same happy state of mind. Many of us don't actually come back for the dancing — we come back for how dancing and community make us feel.

If we feel loved, welcomed, accepted, of course we want to come back, dance, and be a part of it.

We shape our community. We are the ones in charge of what it looks like tomorrow — every one of us. We show newcomers what the rules and norms are, just by being there. So let's show them love and kindness.

Treat people the way you want to be treated — so simple, so obvious, right? Why would we ever bring negativity into our Happy Place?

Dancing is like psychotherapy. I have seen so many examples of people blooming, mentally — giving up antidepressants — because dancing and the conversation around it was working better than drugs and doctors.

So let's make our Happy Place a sacred place. Treat the community the way you would treat your baby. You love it unconditionally and you want to keep it safe and happy. You don't want to traumatise your baby. You don't want to gossip about your baby. You just want to take care.

And when we give without expecting anything in return, we end up receiving so much more, naturally. Remember the feeling of doing something you knew was right, and every cell in your body celebrating that decision? Let's act like that. It brings such a peace of mind, and it fills the heart.

And remember the aftertaste of doing something negative? Headache, heartache, regret. That is the whole receipt.

When we look at people with loving eyes, we see the good in them — we believe in them — and they want to show us their good sides in return.

The world is a mirror. If negative people seem to follow you around, check what is inside you. Check what you are sending out into the world.

I see so many acts of kindness in our dance community. I really do feel loved and appreciated — not because I am exceptional, but because the people around me are. They are special, kind, supportive, exceptional.

Acts of kindness can be small. Small can also be significant. A smile. Dancing with the new person. Saying thank you. Not hurting. Not gossiping. Baking cookies. Showing up to a workshop with the guest instructor. Sticking around to clean the studio after the dance.

Treating each other like we are here for decades, not like we are a visiting stranger.

I love our dance community so much. Sometimes I think people come to my classes not because I am an amazing teacher or saying anything new (and I do say accidentally juicy, inappropriate things from time to time — come laugh with us if you want) but because the people are so nice, and they want to support me as an instructor and as a person.

I am so grateful for the Texas community. Even when my Russian smile looks intimidating — I love you, my friends, so much.

The message here is simple: be kind, and keep your Happy Place happy, wherever on the planet you live and dance. Life is not a race.