To People Who Love To Dance

DANCE MOVES YOU...

A City Without Art is a City Without A Heart- by Tasleem

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who come alive.”

- Harold Thurman Whitman

Hastings @ Richards by Luciana Alvarez

And what is it that makes people come alive? Culture, Arts, Music, Movies, Dance, things creative and passionate.  It doesn’t matter if we are the ones who are doing the painting, or performing the dance, or acting in the movie, or if we are watching it.  We could be the observer or the artist, but what matters is that we are surrounded by this creativity and charisma, the freedom to express through, or share in, quite simply Art.

We are all artists in one sense or another. We all have an artist within us.  This is because we are all human-  living breathing beings, with a soul.  And this soul desires to be nurtured and recognized and moved through various modes of expression and communication.  Whether it is coming home after work to watch a good movie, or grabbing a good book off the shelf, or singing to a favorite song in the car, or playing an instrument in a band, we all make use of the artistic environment around us, whether we recognize it or not.

But because we have gotten so used to it being there, often times, we can take this artistic environment for granted.  What if, however, one day, you went to turn the dial on your car radio, or walked into a movie theater, or went to an art gallery and there was nothing there? No art, no music, no movie?  Not because you got to the theater when it was closed but because the artists of all these different venues simply disappeared?  What would it be like without art in our lives, without art in our city?

It sounds ridiculous, but the thought crossed my mind very seriously today after reading an article about how artists in Vancouver in particular are not being recognized or valued.  Many of our most talented painters and dancers and musicians cannot afford the rising real estate prices in this city and some of the most creative artistic hubs of Vancouver are being shut down.

Even the The Vancouver Playhouse Theater Company, lasting almost 50 years, in this city, had to close down recently due to debt.  It seems that much of the problem is the lack of support and recognition towards artists in this city, and the lack of understanding of how important these artists and art really are to sustaining the energy of the city.

Robson @ Howe by Luciana Alvarez

Art in its various forms is what gives a city its flavor, its rhythm, its heart. That’s why we feel so alive and inspired in places like New York, Montreal or London. The architecture and the music create the vibe that we feel as soon as we enter it.  Art is not only seen throughout the city- with people dancing in shows, music playing throughout shops, billboards of all the upcoming concerts and theater productions displayed everywhere- but more importantly, artists are welcomed and valued in those cities.  Writers, painters, designers, musicians and more are given opportunities to foster their talents and be recognized.    And this allows other artists to be even more creative, to feel supported in their dreams.  “Artists, as much as they need affordability, they also need each other. They need an environment to bounce ideas – a critical mass, a velocity of contact, a really, really creative environment.”

If you don’t support the creator of these arts- the artists themselves- they are forced to leave. “The loss of Vancouver’s talent to LA, Montreal, New York and Toronto is something that should concern us all,” says artist and lawyer Sandy Garossino.

And if the artists see no other choice but to leave, you risk taking away the heart of the city.

Art gives us energy. And that energy gets emitted from us out into our environment, into the city that we live in.  Vancouver has amazing talent throughout the city, artists who could keep the city alive and growing, but who need to feel supported by the city to create, to grow and to be inspired and to inspire.

Steam Clock by Luciana Alvarez

In my own life, I have learned, especially over the past few years, how the arts cultivate not only our imagination, thoughts, and minds, but also contribute to our physical and spiritual health and well-being. And this, in turn, contributes to our society as a whole.  It gives our life depth and meaning. But when we shove the arts and artists aside, or do not consider their needs, the city suffers:

As was described so powerfully in the article, “This (Vancouver) is such a beautiful city, and it’s a huge risk the way real estate is going here. It’s becoming a postcard of itself – so smooth that no one can afford to live in it. It risks becoming increasingly one-dimensional. If we really lost our artists – and we do take them for granted – we would feel it in ways that we can’t begin to describe.”

Inside you...

"Inside you, 
there's an artist 
you don't know about...
say yes quickly, 
if you know, 
if you’ve known it 
from before the beginning 
of the universe.” 

- Rumi

Check it...

Sometimes, we need to be reminded not to hesitate, or over-think things, or second guess our first instincts.  As Nike said, Just Do It!  

I was looking for an attractive Nike image with this slogan, and instead, I found something that was even more inspiring. Check this out...

Imagine how it would feel to say this about each one of your dreams?

Stroke of Insight

"I felt like a genie liberated from her bottle...I remember thinking there’s no way I would be able to squeeze the enormousness of myself back inside this tiny little body...I found nirvana, and I was still alive..."

Thanks Rebecca, for sending this.

The one who...

Resolution: become what you might have been

“It’s never too late to become what you might have been.”
- George Eliot

It's been more than twenty four hours since the clock struck 2012. What are your New Years resolutions? I've been asked a few times in the past week.  Growing up, I remember resolutions were more like wishes- dreams without boundaries.  As I got a little older, I learned that resolutions should be measurable, so we can evaluate, at the end of that year, whether we actually succeeded in achieving them.  And I probably taught this same concept to my students when I became a teacher. Actually, I know I did. As an adult, my resolutions became more practical, making sure that they helped move me towards a 'successful' life. 

But what does success really mean? And how did my resolutions become more closed in, stifling, as if backed up against a wall, rather than open to all the possibilities that exist out there? 'Success' means different things to different people. Yet, over the years, somehow, I got caught up in other people's idea of success- my family's, my peers', society's - which was leading me to lose that dreaminess I had as a child, the dreaminess that told me which resolutions were truly my own.  And so, I'd start off with the best of intentions in the new year- to go to the gym four times a week, or experiment with a new recipe each month, or go on more dates with guys who were in the ‘right’ kind of careers.  The enthusiasm would last for maybe a few months into the year. But slowly, my efforts would dwindle away until once again, that same resolution got added to the list for the following year, in the hopes that maybe, just maybe, that would be the year it would all become realized.

I'm sure I've gotten down on myself for not achieving these goals. It's hard not to feel like a failure when it seems like you're incapable of sticking to one thing, of making it come to fruition.  But then I thought, well, I know I'm not lazy, and I'm trying, I really am. So.. why can't I get it? If I want these things that badly, why can't I figure out how to achieve them?  And then another thought occurred to me- Do I really want them that badly? I mean, yes, I want to be able to cook better, and find a supportive significant other.  But what was the real purpose behind the choices I was making for my resolutions?  Why was my goal to go to the gym four times a week? To get in shape.  But why did I think it had to happen at the gym? 

I didn't end up making it to the gym even once a week over the past year, but instead, I took more seriously something that I was already doing, and really enjoyed- dancing.  And through dancing, and wanting to improve my core and balance, I found something that probably got me into better shape than I’ve been in a long time- kickboxing.  So I realized that maybe I needed to rethink what it is that I really wanted, or at least rethink how I wanted to get there.

Why did I want to experiment with new recipes? Because many of my friends are great cooks and I thought that I should be one? Because I'm female and Indian, and who ever heard of an Indian female who wasn’t great in the kitchen?  And was going out on dates with guys who weren’t really my type making me happy?  No, but pressure from family and society was telling me that it was 'wrong' for me to be a single girl in my 30's, and I needed to find a more ‘suitable’ match, .Suitable for who, though? When I really looked at my choices, and the things I thought I was failing to achieve, I came to realize that I wasn't really giving myself a fair chance, because I was choosing things that weren't truly at the top of my own list.  I had just pulled them off of other people's lists, or an imaginary list which I thought I needed to get through.

And I came to see that when the resolutions are not truly our own, we have less of a drive to make them a reality, to make them last.  And so, inevitably, we ‘fail’ at completing them.

So how do we find out what we really want, especially when the words of others, from society and friends and family have become so engrained in us that we can't clearly separate our own desires from those of others?  My suggestion is to imagine you are given a second chance, to live your life exactly the way you want it. Forget about your age, or that your sister once told you that you couldn't sing, or that you don't have the money to travel across the world, or you don't have the time to take those painting classes while taking care of kids and a family.  Think big, think without worrying about what you believe you can or can't do. Think about what you truly desire. What would you like your life to look like if nothing was holding you back?

"Hope is a dangerous thing," I recently heard in a movie. And yes, it can be scary to dream about what your life could look like, without any obstacles, because you fear that as soon as you wake up from the dream, reality will hit you and sadden you, reminding you that none of those dreams are a ‘possibility’. But would it be better to wake up towards the end of your life and regret all the things you wish you had at least tried? 

There is a poem called If I Had My Life to Live Over by Nadine Stair that reminds me of this very idea.

 If I Had My Life To Live Over- by Nadine Stair

If I had my life to live over
I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.
I'd relax, I would limber up.
I would be sillier than I have been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously.
I would take more chances.

I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.
I would perhaps have more actual troubles,
but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I'm one of those people who live
sensibly and sanely hour after hour,
day after day.

Oh, I've had my moments,
And if I had it to do over again,
I'd have more of them.
In fact, I'd try to have nothing else.
Just moments, one after another,
instead of living so many years ahead of each day.

I've been one of those people who never goes anywhere
without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat
and a parachute.
If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to live over,
I would start barefoot earlier in the spring
and stay that way later in the fall.
I would go to more dances.
I would ride more merry-go-rounds.
I would pick more daisies.

Apparently, the author was eighty five years old when she wrote it.  The poem is a reflection on what could have been- a tone of sadness and regret runs throughout it.  It's a reminder of that dreaded what if? that can haunt us many years or even a lifetime after the event that first started it.
 
I decided I didn’t want to look back in my eighties or even now and suffer over regret.  So, a few years ago, I took some time to write my own version of Stair’s poem- my own If I Had My Life to Live Over piece. 

If I Had My Life To Live Over- by Tasleem

If I had my life to live over,
I would spend more time at coffee shops,
And less time worrying.
I would read more novels in bed,
And kiss deeper.
I would think less
and feel more.

I would prance around in my pyjamas in the morning
and lay under the stars at night.
I would look you straight in the eyes when we speak,
and I would shed more tears in front of friends.
I would touch more hearts,
give longer hugs,
and spend more time holding my mom’s hand.

If I had my life to live over,
I would get more massages,
give more passion,
and smile with an open heart.

I would take deeper breaths,
inhaling all the life and love around me.
I would play more with my niece,
twirl her around just to hear that laugh, so sweet.
I’d sit at the dinner table with family,
and share more secrets with my brother, just him and me.

If I had my life to live over,
I’d lean my head on my cousin’s shoulder,
play with her hair the way she used to do with mine,
and write about our adventures in Gastown and Kilimanjaro.

I would wake up to Corinne Bailey Rae
and sleep to Sade.
I’d spend the day feeling John Mayer’s
Heart of Life…” so good. I know it’s good”.

If I could live my life over,
I’d give India Arie the poem I wrote about her,
And confess to that guy how crazy I am about him.

I would contemplate Rumi each day,
and learn about the Sufi ways.

I would use this voice,
and not just in the shower.
Got to sing my own song,

Ain’t that right, Joss Stone?
I love that one where you bluntly admit
that you’re just so damn tired of his shit.
Your laugh and the line “that’s a keeper,… b*&#h!”
have to be the most liberating bits.

Go, Jossy!
If I had my life to live over,
Ya, I would be that bold and saucy.

And I would dance, dance, dance
-tango, salsa and blues…
I’d dance every dance.. maybe country too,
as the rhythm of life in me grew.

And once it reached me deep in my soul,
I would touch everyone I know.
I would become Miss Midas
-turning hatred into hearts of gold.

If I had my life to live over,
I’d let my body surrender
to the blowing of the wind.
-with the trees I’d sway.
I’d let oceans guide me,
Carefree
-a fluid spirit among the waves.
Tasleem ©

Without realizing it at the time, my version of the poem became my list of New Year and New Life Resolutions for that year and years to come.  Now, looking back at it after a couple of years, I can genuinely smile at myself for I have made many of the parts of the poem a reality since then.  For example, I make more of a conscious effort to look at people in the eyes – even if it’s the grocery guy at the check out at Save on Foods, or the teller at the bank- when I am speaking to them, just as I described in my poem.  And two  dreams I thought I would never have the guts to do or never get the opportunity to do came true in 2011: I gave India Arie the poem I wrote her, and I actually gave it to her personally, and I told, or at least showed, ‘that guy’ how crazy I am about him.  Neither Arie’s nor the guy’s reactions were what I hoped for. But now, looking back, I am relieved I didn’t get stuck with that guy. And I realized that other people’s reactions was not what was important.  After accomplishing two of the harder things on my list/poem, I felt like the rest was easier. And I gained the strength that made me feel like I could accomplish anything I wanted after that.

So now it’s your turn.  Write your own If I Had My Life To Live Over piece starting with that line. And whenever you get stuck, rewrite the line again and it will jog your subconscious to remember what lays deep inside you.  Choose to express it however you like: write a poem, rhyming or without rhymes, a list, bullet points, sketches, mind mapping, a letter to yourself, tell a friend, speak it in a recorder, paint it, or sing it! 

For there is magic in seeing down on paper, or canvas or in a song, and showing you and the universe, what your real dreams are made of.  Something shifts, something hears your wishes, and the world really does conspire to make dreams a reality when you let them.  Even in just the process of getting your ideas down, you might just surprise yourself by what comes out of you, what gets put on your list. Sometimes, you don't even realize which dreams are hidden inside you until you make the time to allow them the freedom to emerge on that page or canvas or tune. You might learn something new about yourself you didn't know.  And the most important part is that it’s all you.  It’s your list, and no one else’s.

And when something on the list strikes the right chord in your heart, it is hard to break that beat.  Something starts singing inside of you, keeps you moving towards the goal.  And then a new kind of perseverance and drive emerges, one that can't be stopped or shoved aside any longer. You don't have to try to get this thing done, and force yourself to practise it each day, or force yourself to make time for it.  It will be such a driving force in you that you will look for it everywhere- opportunities to make it happen. And it will also come to you and find you, when it knows you want it that badly.  When you feel something so deeply, something that makes you so happy, something that fulfills you in this way, you won't allow it to dwindle away after a few months.  This firing up of new or old dreams, that probably was and is always there for you to snatch up, is a great way to start up a new year, and quite possibly, a "new" life. I know it was just that for me.

And now, after being able to cross off much of the list on that old poem version of mine, I'm ready to create a new version of my If I Could Live My Life Over poem.

While you record yours, I’ll rewrite mine.  And together, we will find what truly moves us as individuals so that we can start the new year with resolutions that will last.

Happy New Year to all of you! 

This is your life! Do what you love...

Let Go...

"We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”

― Joseph Campbell

Leon Williams - Model and More...

It was a pleasure meeting Leon just a couple of months ago, not only to find out more about him, but also to remind me that we really can't judge a book by its cover, or... its ...head shot?

Leon's modeling photos definitely grabbed my attention, but what struck me the most was learning how much more there was to this guy than just what is seen on camera.  Leon proves to not only have a natural affinity for this new found interest, but he is also a compassionate individual who dedicates a lot of his time to others: he helps adults in need of special assistance and also has a background in childhood education.

His many interests and depth of personality provided more depth to the many 'faces' (and more!) we see in his photos.  Most of all, it was great to see that Leon is a 'real' person, who fears and dreams just like anyone else, and is open to sharing his hardships and successes with others.  He doesn't let the glamor and attention of being in front of the camera allow him to forget to be himself.  Yet, he still allows himself to enjoy the fun and challenge of this new career path.

Tasleem: I think a lot of people would love to model, but they either don't have the look, or don't know who to go to or where to start. How did you get your first experience/job modeling? Were you looking for that kind of work, or did you just kind of fall into it?

Leon: My first experience/modeling job was with a free lance photographer. He helped create a start up portfolio for me which generated interest from other photographers who offered me more quality work. I fell into modeling by way of responding to ads and submitting photos I took myself, such as the always popular bathroom shoot! (laughs).  I was actually studying to become an early education teacher and I loved teaching. But unfortunately, I went through some experiences during my teaching practice in which I was treated unfairly, and this made it difficult for me to feel enthusiastic about continuing with that path. So I was looking to do something new, fun, interesting, and exciting.

Because modeling has so much to do with outer appearance, you have to obviously keep fit. What do you do to make sure you're in shape for yourself but also for the camera? And have you had to do anything additional to your workout or health routine for modeling in particular?

I honestly don't do much; my family is Jamaican so I eat! (laughs).  All I have to do is play basketball or run; I sweat off the pounds. When I'm able to get to a gym, I do the normal workouts, but I guess my secret is that when I find myself being idle, but I am on a surface that is not strenuous on the body, I do some reps. Even if I’m sitting at home or in front of a TV, I will do crunches or work on my arms and that kind of thing whenever I get a chance. I guess the credit also goes to being blessed and having good genes!

Besides having an attractive outer appearance, I think people who model, and are successful at it, need to feel comfortable in front of the camera. I mean, there’s a certain presence, connection and comfortableness with the camera that you need to have, I think. How do you feel around a camera? Did you have to get used to posing in front of one, or do you feel like it came naturally?

I have a love/hate relationship with the camera. Some of the pictures I’m in come out great, others just good or okay, while others are not so good. I dislike the camera because it catches everything; you see the flaws which remind you of what you need to work on. This could be insightful as well, though.

But I also love the camera because it allows me to be free. I don’t need to worry about anything else going on in my life when I’m doing a shoot. But you can also bring those emotions from your everyday activities and life into the shoot, to capture the essence of you! It really depends on the mood or vibe of the photo shoot. I feel it was somewhat natural for me to be in front of the camera because I just enjoy myself when I'm there. And after, when I view some of the pictures, I can look back and see what is working for me and what is not. Once you know the idea of what the photographer wants captured, you just try to portray the look. It's a fun challenge!

After I met you, and talked to you, I later saw your photos on facebook. And honestly, I almost thought they were two different people. I mean, there is a certain attitude or arrogance and ‘cockiness’ that comes across in the photos (an assumption on my part) that I don't feel at all with you in person. In person, you are so down to earth and polite and gentle in your nature. Even your regular job working with adults with special needs involves so much patience and caring and compassion.  Do you feel different than your everyday self in front of the camera? When you look at your own photos, do you see YOU, or does it feel like you're looking at someone else?

I believe that the photos reveal parts of me that don't come out as freely, or parts that wouldn't be seen on a regular basis, due to my being a quiet individual. At photo shoots, you sometimes get direction so you try to display that emotion or expression that they want on cue. But you also can add your own flare or personality. I, myself, am even impressed sometimes at the final product, but I feel I can always do better. There's always room for improvement. I'm normally shy, but once the whole concept comes together, I just feel the vibe and want to capture something hot or memorable, depending on what is being asked, to show my kids one day. Truthfully I know it's me, but even I marvel at the outcome sometimes.

I laugh at the feedback I get from others who see my photos. “No need to make a fuss over me,” I tell them, “I'm just a regular guy!” And actually, I question when and how I got to looking like I do, especially because I used to be fat. My heading on twitter is ‘Who Knew?’ because even I didn't know that I could have sex appeal.

But yes, I'm just a regular guy working in the mental health field, helping adults with special needs, or adults who struggle with substance abuse, or mental illness, and who require services that I help provide. I also love kids and still hope to teach in an elementary school classroom one day, since I went to college and acquired a degree in that field, and really enjoy teaching. I also promote events at clubs around the Atlanta, Georgia area.

As far as the modeling goes, the sexy might be what brings people out or grabs their attention. But get to know me and I'll show you there's so much more to me than just a fit body and smile! I guess that's why people find me interesting, because I come off different than what they may first assume from viewing my pictures. But as you know, once you sit down and get to know me, it’s totally different.

It seems like you have fun playing around with a variety of looks when modeling and you pull them all off really well. Do you have a favorite look, or favorite photo of yours?

I really don't have a favorite look or photo, but I'm starting to lean towards pictures of me with more clothes on, simply because it wards off unwanted attention. Also, I try to avoid photographers who just want to capture my body on camera just for their own personal gain. I like all my pictures because just modeling itself is completely out of my comfort zone. And I still question the pictures I take, or that are taken of me, due to other people’s criticism of them, but I think, “Oh well, you only live once, so live your life for you.”

People have told me my eyes are the draw in the photos, and here I thought it was my naked body (laughs). Photographers always want to capture some shot with my shirt off and I have to admit that sometimes I do too, simply because I don't walk around like that on a regular basis. When people see my pictures, they actually believe I go walking around with my shirt off. And one of the funniest comments I heard was from a friend on facebook who said, "So you’ve been hiding all that under those clothes? I would have never known." Hilarious! I like the ab shots because people think they are ‘photo-shopped’ and question if I'm a real person. (laughs). Silly huh?

Paulo Coelho, in his book The Alchemist, emphasizes the idea that if you tell the universe exactly what it is you want, and you just believe it, without worrying about HOW it will happen, the universe will conspire to make it happen for you. With that being said, if you were to take this modeling thing to where you really want it to go, what would you want to see come out of it? Maybe this is your chance to put it out there- to tell the universe what you want from it.

I would love to be a part of the international runway shows as well as different commercials and movies! Hopefully, my time will come and someone will take interest in me to help me get there. Patience is a virtue, so I don't let the fact that people I know are getting shots and having their careers take off, while I haven’t gotten to where I want to yet with this. But I’m enjoying what I’m doing right now, and I'll remain positive and stay ready!

Is there something else, either connected to modeling or even separate from it, that you are hoping to achieve? I mean, I know that modeling wasn't the career that you first trained in or what you originally expected you'd be doing, so what are your other aspirations now?

I would love to explore acting as it coincides with modeling, but my main goal was to play basketball. I'm 6'3 and was referred to as ‘a basketball player in a football player’s body,’ but I'm too delicate for that right now. I have a cist in my leg which hinders me from playing sports other than for fun, so modeling fits with what I want and can do right now. I'm still in search of what makes me happy, so I'm just living life and enjoying my loved ones.

What advice would you give to someone else who is interested in modeling but doesn't know much about what it entails besides what they see in magazines and on TV? Are there any pros and cons that stand out to you?

Modeling has allowed me to visit places I didn't have the means to before. I've been invited to events that are considered those 'only for the elite or upscale’. Being able to attend these event, in turn, allowed me to network with all kinds of individuals I would never have met before. I've experienced and seen the good, bad, and ugly of the modeling world. Anyone who is interested in modeling should always do their research and protect themselves. I would say don’t be so trusting with people in the industry.

I'm just exploring a new found self and the hand that was dealt to me. There have been a lot of ups and downs throughout the journey, but even when I'm down, I will continue to get back up and strive for a better tomorrow.

Watch this video clip of Leon Williams
from James C. Lewis on Vimeo.


You can find Leon Williams on Twitter:  @mystiquejudah

Photographs Courtesy of Noire3000 N3K Photo Studios