Time flies....I´ve already begun my last week here at Carmen de las Cuevas. Dance classes continue to get more difficult as I move up and learn more and more. I find it is a welcome challenge as I do not feel stagnant. I began taking compas classes last week. The classes teach students how to clap out the beats. Basically, the palmeros (clappers)assist in creating the tempo, increasing the speed, and bringing more force to the art form of flamenco. The compas class is difficult this week because we are learning contra beats and rebeca (beats in between the contra beats). It takes a lot of focus and listening. Having no background in music and never having played an instrument, I´m learning how to refine my listening and beat counting skills. Earlier this week, I was a bit disappointed that I couldn´t catch on as fast as I hoped, especially since last week I did so well in class. But I had to quickly remind myself that getting frustrated was taking me further from where I want to be. It was interesting to watch the mind as all of this unfolded in less than 5 minutes. My mind quickly jumped to comparing myself to others, to what people think of me, and how I´m now inferior becasue I can´t get all the clapping beats. My body became tense, I began to feel like I didn´t care about the task at hand anymore, I felt the heat rise up in my face, and soon I was left feeling like I didn´t want to be there anymore. Observing this in me propelled me to go deeper and thus not let the emotion take me over to the extent it has in the past. For a few moments, I just watched my fellow students as they conquered all the claps and beats with grace and perfection. I applauded them,¨Muy bien, Ole!¨. It reinforced the idea that another´s success does not me one own´s failure. That small shift in perspective has made it easier for me to learn at a pace that I´m happy and comfortable with. I do not feel the feeling or anxiety of ¨againstness¨ that I once felt. A feeling that I was not even aware of until the other day. So everything happens for a good reason!
Pues, there is so much more to say...but isn´t there always! I will write again soon. Things have been busy since I´m gearing up to receive the family (Neerav, Arpan, & Ritesh) and also finalize things before I have to leave my apartment.
I hope everyone is doing well and thriving. Abrazos!
