You don't enter a dance studio and say "I can't do that." If you do, then why are you in the studio in the first place?
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of a positive mindset and the willingness to challenge oneself in a learning environment.
Judith Jamison's quote encourages individuals to adopt an open and determined attitude when entering situations where they may face challenges or new skills to learn. By questioning the purpose of being in such an environment if one is not prepared to try, she highlights the importance of embracing growth and the opportunity to learn, rather than succumbing to self-doubt.
In practice
In a motivational speech for students about embracing challenges.
As a dancer, you really try to stay true to whatever the choreographer/artistic director is giving you. So, now the shoe is on the other foot and I have to trust everyone else - I have to trust the dancer. As I was trusted as a dancer, I trust my dancers.
It's never too early to teach your children about the tool of money. Teach them how to work for it and they learn pride and self-respect. Teach them how to save it and they learn security and self-worth. Teach them how to be generous with it and they learn love.
We can go on talking about racism and who treated whom badly, but what are you going to do about it? Are you going to wallow in that or are you going to create your own agenda?
I've always felt that complement of opposites: body and soul, solitude and companionship, and in the dance studio, contraction and release, rise and fall.
You wake up white, and you think about certain things every day. You wake up black, and you think about certain things. You wake up Chinese, and you think certain things - but those things aren't major. What's major is that you are good at your craft.
Maybe it's a generational thing, but I never wanted to be the best black dancer in the world. I just wanted to be the best.
Difficulties seldom defeat people; lack of faith in themselves usually does it.
Don't listen to anyone who tells you that you can't do this or that. That's nonsense. Make up your mind, you'll never use crutches or a stick, then have a go at everything. Go to school, join in all the games you can. Go anywhere you want to. But never, never let them persuade you that things are too difficult or impossible.
Do not let your fire go out ... Do not let the Hero in your soul perish ... Check your road and the nature of your battle. The world you desired can be won. It exists, it is real, it is possible, it is yours.
It's far easier to put your future into someone else's hands than it is to slog your way forward, owning the results as you go.
One of the amazing things we have been given as humans is the unquenchable desire to have dreams of a better life, and the ability to establish goals to live out those dreams.
I work everyday, but every day is a holiday for me because I enjoy my work.
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