YT Photo

UNIQUE BUT KINDRED

I could have easily just written "here are some more photos of these fabulous dancers" and maybe told you a bit about them or that day. But as I am sitting here sharing these photos I see 2 beings that have so much life, joy, fun and creativity. The friendship they share is a sweet thing. They are unique and kindred at the same time. They bring out some of the best in each other. They inspire each other and celebrate each other. 

As I watch them I am reminded that we were not made to do life alone. The sweetness of finding someone that has similar passions and likes, but also brings a new fresh perspective. We should inspire one another, not compete with one another. We should encourage one another, not judge one another.  Stop trying to be like each other and also not judge those that are different. Instead celebrate our differences knowing that the different things each person brings to the table makes life and experiences richer. 

In these photos you see individuals that have been taught at the same ballet school, but because of their individuality it is expressed in their own unique way. There are different strengths, different preferred movements and expressions, but the same technique. What would be lost if they tried to emulate one another or compete with each other? What would be lost of the strength of one if she wanted what the other had and threw her own strength away? Why do we strive to be like those we are inspired by or judge them because we feel threatened when as you see in these photos the individuality is where the beauty is! 

FOR THE GOOD OF OTHERS. UNITY IN DIVERSITY. 

How can we unite and not divide, celebrate and not compete, encourage and not judge, bring out the best in each other and not discourage our differences? I think there is something very profound and life giving in the teaching of  " Don’t be concerned for your own good, but for the good of others". We may read this and feel a self-protective wall shoot up. Worried that we will not get our share, we will not be seen or heard, worried we would become a "doormat" or miss out in "having". But in thinking of others more and living for what is better for those around us we discover love. A love that the One who created us IS. A love of.......giving and not taking, serving and not lording over, safety and not fear. The list truly goes on and is modeled and seen in Jesus who is the perfect image of his Father. To show us the heart of God in action.  

Our current American culture is so dominated by living for the individual; what-is-good-for-you, promoting so much self-focus, self-will and self-proclamation! But in this we pull away from others, discourage others, take from others and fear the same will be done to us so we hold back or plow over. But in a world where individuals are concerned for the good of others and live this out in their daily life toward those they see everyday- there would be no more poor, segregation, human trafficking, war, racism, rape, hate or oppression.  The earth, nature and humans would thrive.

I know I took this concept to a massive level, but it is a beautiful thing to see grand thoughts lived out in small ways.

The photos that follow are of Lucy and Cecilia dancing together. Bringing their talents, uniqueness and kindred spirits together. Making space for and celebrating the other while being true to who they are. If they were competing you would see it in their faces, you would see it in their movements and the joy would be lost. But instead they are playing together, making something beautiful together and being themselves. May these few images inspire you to live for the good of those around you, celebrate the uniqueness in yourself and others, give, come together and do everything in LOVE. 

 " Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others" 

1 Corinthians 10

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22

He has shown you, O man, what is good;

And what does the Lord require of you

But to do justly,

To love mercy,

And to walk humbly with your God

Michah 6:8

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. 

1 Corinthians 13