Chekitouchou ( check it out yo)

Ok random name post!! Had some pretty good discoveries tonight from others having discoveries....if that makes sense. I had a really good talk with a close friend about culture shock tonight and goals in general. Sometimes we make excuses for ourselves and say "I'm not good enough" for things and just give up, or since we have that notion predefined in our head we don't try our hardest. I've seen that in myself even. Early in my culture shock days it was just something to help me with dance. It was never try hard to make the team, or become an awesome choreographer. But as with all things you're only going to get out what you put in. And because I wasn't putting in everything I had, I wasn't getting much back.

For me, the biggest turning point in my views on culture shock are all thanks to Kate. When she left for AZ, she gave me a gift. Something so simple, but it meant so much to me. It was just a bandana she wore to her last performance with cultureshock DC. It was given with the stipulation that I wear this at my first performance. Kind of a passing of the torch. And with Kate being such an awesome dancer, these are like size 500 shoes I've now to fill. For me that act was like a promise. It was like, "Ok, now I'm going to do this." Those words are so simple, life can be so simple, but we always make things difficult with our questioning and our excuses. I'm going to perform with culture shock, I'm going to make core team, and I want to do it within the next year. I want to learn how to choreograph and how to mimic other peoples movements. I can no longer say, "I'm too left handed to get this right" or "if only I had 2 ankles." Do I ever make those excuses in bboying? No its my own style, but even then I find my own ways to overcome my own problems, and so it shall be with choreography and culture shock. Can I simply say I'm too shy to ask for help, or think that everyone thinks I suck? How can I blame anyone else or make any excuse for my lack of skill? We are in control of our own lives, our own skill. We just need to decide, put forth our heart, soul, sweat, blood, whatever it takes to get what you want. But the biggest thing is to know what you want and take it.

My father is a really simple man, but there is so much wisdom in it. He doesn't get caught up with all the bullshit, if he wants to do something he does it. When I was a kid, he always told me "Can't won't", and the most disappointed I've ever seen him is when I've said I can't do something. Its true, we are only limited by the limitations we set for ourselves. Many people have told me that my dance is an inspiration to them. Its just as much a struggle for me. The only reason I have any skill at all is that I've made a decision in my life. I decided to be a bboy, I wanted to be the best bboy, I decided I need to practice harder than anyone to become what I want. Every day I work, I eat, I practice, I sleep. I've made sacrifices for bboying, but that's my dream, that is my goal.

I guess these are just my inner thoughts, but what to take from this? Find inside your goals and just do them. Don't make excuses, don't let anyone tell you "you can't", and never say that yourself. Never "do nothing" because life is too precious to waste. And if you are on culture shock and reading this, please criticize my choreo and if you see me struggling, lend a hand. If you see me slacking off call me out.

And thanks to all those who've contributed to my views and made me a stronger person.

Godbless
Halfstep