North Star on Purpose
I woke out of a dream this morning, thinking about the North Star, also known as Polaris.
For eons, people have used its fixed point to navigate the seas. It was a guiding star for people traveling in the Middle East during biblical times. It was also a beacon guiding African Americans, who were escaping from enslavement by following its course into freedom. The North Star became my symbol too, when I needed to change direction.
Before I knew about its valuable symbolism, I intuitively chose my purpose. My husband had died after a long illness, and I was ready to transition toward more freedom and creative expression. My purpose was unfolding. I wanted to get out of my seclusion and into community, to touch and engage with others.
Ahhh, I remember the night I discovered salsa dancing and it became my passion and my purpose. It began when I went to a club with my girlfriend. I watched her and others happily dancing salsa to the exhilarating music. Before I knew it, I was intoxicated by the sound, shaking my shoulders and swaying my hips to the rhythms. Someone asked me to dance and we entered the sensuality of the couples on the dance floor. They were turning, spinning, flirting, as they stepped to the beat sweating without caring. Ohhh, just then, I felt the caress of my partner’s hands lightly touching my back, guiding me through the steps. We were having such intimate connection as we moved together. I felt an electric charge pulsating through me. I vowed I would learn how to do this dance!
I found this new way of dancing was way more fun than I had expected it to be in the beginning. I struggled at first to learn the rules and the patterns, but the body knew. I started to trust my partner and let the music take over--holding the hand, following the steps, the hips moving, being led backward on my right foot, stepping on beat 2. Still, there were so many things to keep in mind. Be focused and stay in the moment, while keeping my core strong and centered. Unlearn habits formed from dancing on my own.
Sometimes it was hard to simply allow and follow the lead’s movements without thinking. I noticed the more I trusted the movement
3, the more our dancing flowed. We created intimacy to the beat. I fell in love with the earthy infectious Afro-Cuban rhythms. We poured everything we had into dancing through the music, my partner, my body, nothing held back, leaving it all in the sweaty heat of the dance floor. When the song ended, we collapsed back at our table spent with elation.
Before long I was invited to dance Casino Rueda, group salsa in a circle. Together we were learning its intricacies. The other members commented on my becoming a “natural” (after hundreds of hours of practice!) As I learned its intricacies, I found syncopation with our group.
The expanded spiraling energy of our group dynamics naturally inspired us to grow our Casino Rueda community. We welcomed and instructed all who wanted to know how to dance this way and join us.
We bonded in our empowering, flowing, joyful dancing, including when we were learning difficult new patterns. Our focus was not about doing the wrong steps, but experiencing our empathy and camaraderie. Dancing as one, we felt how love overflowed on the dance floor.
Sometimes dancing was better than sex!
As on the dance floor, I found my everyday life was changing--becoming less stressful, more enjoyable and balanced, while having a strong sense of community. My symbolic North Star got me started as a beginner and spurred me on to an advanced level. I would try new things and practice them. I would unlearn old habits and continue overcoming. obstacles. I would meet the challenge by letting go and finding courage to act outside of my. usual pattern. I would work my way to more advanced proficiency, while encouraging newer. students in feeling they belong with us in our community. I now had a template for my future endeavors.
These days my aim is to inspire and empower others. I would want them to experience joy, love and compassion. I want to share my purpose with the world. Yes, this is my North Star. It is always within me, showing me how to meld focused attention with spontaneity. This is now a part of my awareness. It was always there, before I knew its name or symbolism.
Maybe you too will use your inner North Star as a beacon for creativity and freedom. Perhaps you are ready to make a change. Allow your intuition to work as you are consciously embarking on your journey. Trust your inner North Star to show you your purpose and how to achieve it. It can guide you through the difficult times, encouraging you to consciously let go into joyful new experiences. Get ready. Here comes the freedom to create your new life!