Made it & music.
Made it to Cleveland safe and sound. Totally welcomed by friends. I got on the plane this early morning and felt so excited to be coming this way - I had such a good time on my last trip here. I love seeing the familiar faces. And there is a seriously amazing goody basket staring at me across the hotel room right now - you guys are so awesome. Looking forward to classes in the morning.
On the way from Phoenix to Cleveland I watched a movie that brought up all kinds of thoughts and emotions. I wanted to share with you what I wrote after seeing the movie:
I am intensely inspired by people who make a difference in the lives of others. Those who bring out good and life and passion in those they come in contact with. On the flight to Cleveland I watched a movie called Take The Lead which is based on a true story of a ballroom dance instructor (Pierre Dulaine) who brought something magical, passionate and oh so very good to kids in NYC. (He is also featured in the documentary Mad Hot Ballroom that I hope to see soon.)The music. The bodies of the dancers. How the music flows through their body. How it takes them away from the everyday into another realm entirely - the realm of flow and beat and cha cha cha. Movies like that make something well up inside me. I was totally entranced and inspired.
And I thought of Simon and how he was dancing to the live band on the 4th of July. The music was flowing through him big time. He is just a little boy and man, he feels the music. He is connected to something greater than what we see on the surface.
Then I thought of that video of Matt doing his dance all over the world. I wonder if Matt had music while he danced? Did he just dance to the beat inside himself?
In looking back at my life so far, college for me was such a time of music. There was always music pumping somewhere on my street. Parties were all about music. And I loved dancing. I remember what it feels like to move my body to the music - it has been way too long since that time. I have developed more inhibitions, gotten more self-conscious. I am missing that freedom of movement, that flow that comes through the body when you dance without worry of looking silly, or fretting about your body...
I want loud music in my life again. That pure sense of being alive that only comes from the rhythm and flow of melody. I want to dance. I want to love my body and feel the beat and move.
Peace and tons of music to you all out there.
Lovely Ali.
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i know! music is such a mood altering medium. you're right i need to remember to have it around me more often for pure happiness. i love that my kids love music. they listen to my stuff in the car and my 4 & 2 yr. old bop in the back & love it. i can't sit still when music is on whether it's a simple foot or hand tap & don't understand people who don't FEEL that. just gotta get out dancing w/ hubby more often, but you know how that goes. new to your blog & loving it.
mj
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I love music, too, Ali. I can never get enough of all types of music.
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great commentary ali.
I agree.
Music can be such a driving force.
love what you shared.
got your new book today.. looking forward to reading it this weekend page by page..
u so inspire me gf!
hugs, I loveya,
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I can't get through a day without music.
And will flood you with recommendations anytime :)
And I got your new book today, yay!
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Music for me has always touched this deep inner chord...back in the day I loved dancing and letting loose! Now, older and more responsible in my adult life (who made that rule up!?), dancing rarely finds its way into my life...sometimes in the car, I will let loose (maybe not too safe) but if the music is right how can you sit still?! In my next life I want to be a percussionist...I did buy bongo's about 2 years ago and every now and then I jam to some music when I am alone (with the dog as my audience!) -- and I love it! Jam on....! Have fun in O-HI-O!! -Diane
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Music is definately a big part of my life. Dancing... well it pretty much is too. My boys cringe when I start dancing in the living room... even more so when I make them join me.
Girl we will have to do some serious dancing with you whilst you are her in Oz.
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Great post Ali. I *heart* music. Perhaps because I LOVE words so much and music has that same affect on me...takes me to a place, makes me stop and think and FEEL. Love how a song can move me. And thanks for the reminder to see that movie! I remember seeing the previews and never saw it. And speaking of movies....have you ever seen CRASH yet? It's a GREAT movie. I really think you'd like it. Let me know. Peace and blessings. Cindy
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Ali--please post about some of your favorite music to listen to. I've been finding myself at a loss recently about just what my beloved iPod should be playing. I feel so out of it sometimes. If you have favorites, please share!
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um...okay...have you watched Bullet in a Bible yet?
And loudly? DUDE! You will FEEEEEEEL the music in your soul.
And the passion.
Turn it UP.
Love you!
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mad hot ballroom was so good. see it soon.
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Love how you are able to jot down your feelings (and sooooo eloquently) like this - it is so very inspiring! Definitely see Mad Hot Ballroom - it is so funny and enlightening to watch these kids in NYC learn to ballroom dance and the transition they make from the little beings they were at the beginning of the film!
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goosebumps..
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SO cool ali... i dressed the girls up in tutus today for photos (posted them on my blog if by chance you wanted to peek lol ) and abbi just loved the way it swished... she danced to veggie tales and kept saying "ming! ming!" (how she says she wants to do ring around the rosie). later today i was pretty stressed so i sat down and listend to my favorite cd (jars of clay) and i just totally mellowed and felt at peace again... its amazing to me how moving music can be. Thanks for the reminder. i'm going to make a point to DANCE from now on... more often... with my children... with my husband... by myself.
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Your entry made me think of Keri Smith talking a while ago on her blog about how her husband was making a film about dancing on street corners and just being free. I just checked her blog and she has info about it up today! Wouldn't it be fun to be so free?!
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So cool, Ali. I raised the music volume in my car recently, something I'd never done with my 3 yr old in the car, and he totally loved it. Will be doing that a little more often now. After reading your post, I'm inspired to dance more often too,...to jump right in and follow my little guy's lead!
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I so agree, I miss that too. I loved to dance even did dance in clubs on stage and now.....nothing, not danced since ages. always forget to turn the music on even though I love music. thanks for getting my eyes to open, love ya!
corinnexxx
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I dance with my family, I even dance with the "gals" at work ( it makes them laugh ) but most of all I dance with myself...sweet abondonment! It has always been and will always be. Went I get to old to move around, I'll just remember and dance in my head! I want the little ones in my family to understand that it's O.K. to feel something and go with it.
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At the camp Zeb went to last week, they had drumming for the kids 3 out of the 5 days. Zeb was soooo into it; the counselors said he was a great dancer and really got to groovin' to the music. And I can barely ride in the car w/o a cd playing, or do paperwork in silence. Once in a while, it's nice to hear nothing, but I love having that beat behind me.
We have an mp3 player for Zeb, loaded with some of his favorites (mostly, the soundtrack to SpongeBob Squarepants movie). He can listen to it when he's in a stressful situation (well, except for school) and it seems to really help him.
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I totally understand FEELING the music...
that's why I think I might be one of those old ladies with a hearing aid... because my music is always LOUD.
Nothing I love more than music pumping into my ears and pulsing through my body... I feel ya, sister sue.
Have fun in cleveland!! columbus is only 2.5 hours away! lol ;)
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love to jam out to my music, all the time!when I drive, when I shop, when I scrap, when I clean house.
awesome post today! have a good weekend!
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I found your observation about your son and music so very interesting. My "learning disabled" child (I put that in quotes because we are finding keys that unlock his interests all of the time)can dance interpretively to music in an astonishing way. He and Simon communicate with music--how beautiful is that?
Cammie
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I loved Mad Hot Ballroom. It was so great to see those 11-year-olds start out apprehensive and then to be so serious about it and really feeling it at the end. It definitely changed them. I can't wait to see the other movie.
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Ali, Your words were beautiful. As an early childhood music teacher, I am so blessed to see music moving through my young students each day. At the same time, I see the parents of these children not wanting to move with us, not wanting to feel the power of the music. As I leave to teach my classes this morning, I am taking your words with me and will encourage everyone to LISTEN, FEEL, and MOVE! Thank you!
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I agree totally. When my kids are acting up and being totally out of control, I go turn on the radio and get them dancing. Totally great distraction...and a fun way for us to connect. My oldest has been singing songs that we love since she was born. She loves the Ramones and the Beatles, Jack Johnson and the Weepies! She's only four. Music is a daily part of our world. Definitely take the time to reaquaint yourself with it. Listen to it while you're scrapping...get an iPod, if you don't have one, and listen while you travel. I like to have a soundtrack to my day alot, really makes you "feel" what you are doing and experiencing. I HIGHLY recommend Iron and Wine. Pretty much anything of theirs is good, but the song Naked As We Came is pure genius. All on iTunes. Btw, so bummed you couldn't come to teach here in Murfreesboro. I was so looking forward to meeting you and learning from you. I understand totally...life comes first! Hope you do make it here someday though. I'm so there!!! Can't wait for your new book.
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