When I had the dance studio, we included all the students in story ballets—regardless of the dance genre. I felt that this helped to foster a sense of inclusion in the entire community of dancers and gymnasts. Typical recitals bring each class on stage separately, where they perform ‘their number’ and then off they go. We also, purposely, did not enter competitions or promote competitiveness or give prizes. The reward was in the getting to do it. The joys, the sorrows, the passion of movement and musicality has always added to the richness of life itself.

           So, what happened to our village concept—when we all would pull together for the greater good? Yes, sometimes our feelings get hurt, but is our momentary sensitivity worth blowing off everyone else? It might seem like it at the time—until we pull back and look at the bigger picture. All too often we act before pausing to take a breath, and therefore mess things up not only for individuals and businesses, but for a whole community. Unchecked jealousy and greed can spread like poison.

            The squeaky wheel gets the grease… for better or worse. Sometimes we act through a sense of entitlement or our own personal concept of fairness, but again, pausing and acting through compassion can benefit all of us, instead of only ourselves. I think I owe it to the whole, as well as to myself, to slow down and act for the greater good—to enrich my community, not knock others down to build myself up.

            I did hear, though, that there is good news on the horizon.

            Spring is in the air, if not quite on the calendar, bringing with it fragrant lilacs, green hills, prolific birdsong, and running water. We are so fortunate to live in this beautiful place, to hike the lush ravines, sip wine at our wonderful wineries, peruse the antique shops along Main Street, buy fresh produce from the local farmstands, get together with friends and enjoy the warm sunshine… It’s so easy to get caught up and entrenched in our own routines that we lose sight of all this beauty right in front of us. I’m as guilty as anyone. So, I’m reminding myself, and each one of you, to pause and take an extra deep breath… and SMILE.

Chi Varnado has published six books including fiction, nonfiction and children’s books. They are available on www.amazon.com. Her collection of essays, Quail Mutterings, can be found on www.chivarnado.com or www.dancecentrepresents.com.

           1-2-3-hold 4—5-6-7 & 8. I listen to the familiar counting of musical phrasing as the ballet teacher marks through the choreography. My seven-year-old granddaughter is dancing in one of the beautiful studios in The Casa Del Prado of Balboa Park. Outside, where I wait, the clock tower chimes away, creating a counterpoint to the music coming from inside—reminding me of the dissonance in life itself.

           There are always plenty of interesting folks milling around the park. On our way today, a young man was pacing back and forth, fiddling with a small, flimsy piece of eucalyptus bark.

            “Shall we have a discussion about saving the planet?” he asked.

            “Well,” I began. “We’re going to dance right now. She’s got a ballet class.”

            He thought that was cool and as we walked away, I turned back and pointed to him. “But that’s a good dance too.” I was referring to his topic of interest and he agreed.

             Earlier this morning while on my way to pick up Kya, I caught the tail end of an interview on the radio with someone talking about how air pollution can exacerbate not only asthma, but eczema and other skin conditions—which can then lead to problems with our internal organs. She said that covering ourselves with clothing, applying mineral-based sunblock to all exposed areas, and wearing a mask when outside can help when the air quality is too smoky or polluted. Even the chemicals dumped on wildfires can be hazardous to our health.

            I suppose I already knew all this, but periodically being reminded is probably not such a bad thing. What will lead us to action? I am also guilty. I try to live my own life as sustainably as I can, however there is so much more I could do.

            Kya told me that we can pick up trash to make the earth better. Her next comment was that rivers run into the ocean. She was just throwing out random ideas to help me brainstorm for this column. But it is actually quite relevant in this context. Just as our capillaries and veins carry oxygen-poor blood back to our heart, the tributaries and rivers deliver man-made toxins into the oceans which merge with the waters of the whole world. We are all connected by air, water, and products… Like it or not, each one of us effects everyone else and vice versa. There really is no such thing as being separate, self-made, or truly independent. 

           The earth is still this majestically beautiful place. I feel so fortunate to be here, don’t you? Just to be a part of it all is such a gift—and a treasure.

            So, back to the dissonance of life. The chorus of the frogs here at night can be almost as loud as the planes flying over Balboa Park in their approach for landing at the San Diego Airport. But I’m pretty sure that most of us would choose the native chorus to the jet engines. The soaking of the recent rains gave much to our grateful ground and plants, while downtown San Diego’s failing storm drains caused major flooding. Yes, our dirt road suffers from the runoff, creating ruinous ruts. But, somehow, scrambling out there with shovels feels better to us than living with the open sewage which escaped the city systems.

Writing this column feels good to me—being both creative and productive simultaneously. I break up the task today by periodically checking the progress on the repairs to our vintage trailer awning, after a huge tree fell on it more than a month ago. I also need this kind of productivity for my well-being. I’m just wired that way. I struggle when things feel stagnant. It’s more work for me to just chill than to putter and get things done. This, too, is a work in progress.

            As the rain came down, I could almost sense the arrival of Spring—in all its splendor of fragrant lilacs, running creeks, and the singing of courting birds. There’s a feel of hope in the air of good things to come, and nice sunny days. Like today, I’m soaking up the rejuvenating warmth of the sun into my bones and smiling into the next thing. Life is good—so go enjoy it!

Chi Varnado has published six books including fiction, nonfiction and children’s books. They are available on www.amazon.com. Her collection of essays, Quail Mutterings, can be found on www.chivarnado.com or www.dancecentrepresents.com.