When showcases exist, but are not slammed with dozens or hundreds of people registering, and competitions are... when showcases rarely sell out, ticket sales are slow, and the organizer knows that a larger venue wont break even, but competitions are packed houses... people arent just competing because they want the performance opportunity and our community isnt really supporting one another the way we say we are. The growth of competitions may be a natural part of our community maturing into a new phase of development, but I will say that there is a real danger in the norm being that self-confidence and validation being built from outside, rather than inside. Ive said this in many different ways on this page, but now Im just going to come out and be blunt about it. When you go to a class, it should be about investing in yourself, not moving towards fulfilling other peoples opinions of how to do what you love. This trend in our community is changing our community and more importantly, the lens through which we view and speak to one another. Competitiveness can be positive but only when you have the maturity and self-confidence to apply it in the right ways, to the right settings-- the most constructive kind of competition is the kind you have with yourself, not with others. Ive been busy at work, and life, yes-- but if Im honest, Ive taken a huge step away from pole dance in the past year to find a niche for myself outside of the changes I see, and now Im finally in a new place, on the fringes, where I feel better about belonging. I know Im not current to the mainsteam attitudes and priorities anymore. But I do know that there are still people out there who just love the dance, community, and sharing and I hope that I am able to find more of them. And if you feel you want to respond to this post, please keep in mind that I am very much allowed to have an opinion. It may not be right, you may disagree, but I can have one, and express it in the most respectful way that I am able, and if you do respond, please reciprocate in kind.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 16:02:41 +0000
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