DREAM beyond BELiEF!

The other day I watched a very inspiring documentary, "GHETTO BALLET" about a group of teenage [early] Africans in South Africa who dreamed of careers in ballet. The students were in a ballet program that would produce only two to be selected as new members of the Cape Cod Ballet Company.

Along the way I got to witness the growth, passion, and talent in each individual, overcoming enormous tragedy and poverty. I became partial with all of them and hoped they all we get a chance to shine. A few of them gave me new insight and inspiration, this is what I received from their stories.

Vulyelwa: the confident young girl with perhaps the biggest dreams of them all. She even talked about her dream house, [a picture that hangs on her wall] her want to be a celebrity, and even changing her name, La Violeta; a translation of her name meaning happy. I cant forget her headline, "la Violeta, Road to Stardom" She embodies star quality, and has the confidence and poise to go anywhere.

Tusile: A gentleman who allowed his mental ability and dedication to transform his environment. literally. He would clean the shack of his family blasting classical music as his world transcended to that of ballet.

Fiona: The girl with the talent but a lack of focus and discipline. She was a wild child of sorts with no real awareness of consequence, consequently she was kicked out of the program and crushed.

Finally, [Sibahle] the one the documentary focuses on. She is a thicker girl who shows such passion, grace, and maturity as she dances. At one point she keeps a diary of what little she eats in efforts to drop weight before her audition. She hands her mother a very small cylinder basin and says she will only eat the food that comes from it [i cried] but this allowed her mother [and the world] to see how much she was willing to do to accomplish her dreams, it was in her blood.

After a complete year of preparation and training it was time for each students big interview to learn their fate. [Tusile] had already been drafted as a professional dancer into the company. The only two left were [Sibahle] and [Vulyelwa] my favorites. Vulyelwa was first. She walked into her interview well groomed with all of her confidence and star quality, held her head high and looked boldly into the eyes of the "masters of her fate" Needless to say, she was offered a position. Sibahle went next, dressed well, but she lacked confidence and eye contact, knowing that her weight was an issue. As badly as she wanted it, she was denied. She went home with her passion intact. The next day she put on her ballet slippers and danced in the dirt outside of her hut.

I said all of this to say, [exhale] each and every one of us has the ability to single handedly transform our immediate environments.

1. Do things to implement your dreams into you everyday routine

Also, it is important to develop qualities and confidence that evoke greatness. Give the world as little ability as possible to deny you.

2. Show the world not only your passion, but your preparation.

Go boldly, know who you are and your capabilities, don't tiptoe around them! Lastly, when faced with challenge, disappointment, disapproval, and rejection,

3. Don't worry! Stay firmly planted, readjust your stance and work harder.

its up to you, stay lifted.

[UPDATE] The film caught the eye of many; including ATLANTA BALLET, Sibahle has been awarded a scholarship and know dances in the states. We all win when we follow our dreams beyond circumstance without waiver!

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