[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”25818″ img_size=”full” style=”vc_box_shadow_3d”][vc_custom_heading text=”“Time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping, into the future…“
~Steve Miller” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]Can you believe it’s 2019 already? Weren’t we supposed to have flying cars by now? Do you remember when ‘The Future’ looked like something out of a utopian science fiction movie?
It’s funny to see how some of the things we grew up expecting were so far off base, while other things that are now part of our everyday lives we never could have imagined. For those of you around my age, (born in the 60s, that is), the mythology engendered by TV shows like The Jetsons or Star Trek made a huge impression.
On one hand, the idea of limitless energy, transporter beams, interstellar travel, and push-button meals served by your friendly robot maid seemed far-fetched, but not entirely out of the realm of possibility.
On the other, the power of our little hand-held devices and the ubiquity of the internet has more or less taken us by surprise. We recently re-watched the original Blade Runner movie, and it was amusing to see the hero search for a phone booth to make a video call.
Every leap forward in science or technology takes an unexpected turn when it encounters the fickle nature of humanity. I seriously doubt that the Vint Cerf imagined that cat videos and dank memes would become the currency of the realm when he pioneered the internet. Or that social media would have such an impact on culture in general, not to mention the allure of online gaming.
And while it’s easy to wring our hands and furrow our brows, to lament the downsides of technological evolution is to miss some of the bigger picture. As our tools evolve, so too does our collective consciousness, and therein lies a kernel of optimism. One of the lessons of 2018 may well be summed up by a line from The Who, “We won’t get fooled again.” Undoubtably, we will, but we can also hope that our collective ability to discern is improving as well, and our collective BS-meter is a little stronger.
Time is a slippery concept, and as you probably well know, extremely subjective. When you’re waiting in a long line, it passes much more slowly that when you’re in the flow on a favorite activity. For a child, the interval between birthdays seems like an eternity, while for older folks it seems like the turn of the calendar sneaks up more quickly every year.
Whether or not you’re the type of person to make New Year’s resolutions, setting a positive intention is always a good idea. The dawn of a New Year is always a good time to ask some pointed questions of ourselves, and see what there is in our lives that isn’t serving us and let it go. It’s also a good time to remember to be nice to ourselves, and give ourselves credit for the progress we’ve made and see where we can be grateful.
I found myself out on a nice walk to the top of a local hill with Teresa, our kids, and a group of friends on the last Sunday of the year, and it made me pause and appreciate the value of community and family. When an impromptu opportunity to connect comes along, it’s always rewarding to dive in and enjoy it, you never know, you might find yourself swinging in the sun!
My guess is that we’re heading into a great year, and that we’re in for some wild twists and turns that are going to surprise us all. Let yourself enjoy the good moments as they come, and know that you are an essential and important link in the chain between history and the future. Make every ’now’ count!
Much love and Happy New Year! So much love and gratitude to each and every one of our Dance First members and the extended Conscious Dancer global family!
M+
Mark Metz
Director of the Dance First Association
Publisher of Conscious Dancer Magazine[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Dance First Member Spotlight :: Marybeth Grinnan and her Nia and Yoga Retreats! ” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal”][vc_single_image image=”25819″ img_size=”full” style=”vc_box_shadow_3d”][vc_column_text]This week’s Dance First Member Spotlight shines on transformative retreat leader and Nia facilitator Marybeth Grinnan ! This long-timeDance First member shares a lifelong love for movement and a passion for serving with everyone she meets around the world. From her hometown in Richmond, Virginia, to London and then back to Virginia again, she’s now based in Paris with her experiences traveling through Germany, Belgium, Italy, Sweden, and the Netherlands informing her practice.
You’ve still got time to book a trip to Costa Rica to join her for either of two week-long Nia and Yoga Retreats: “LIGHT UP” January 5-12 or“DIVE IN” January 12-19 . Happening at the outstanding Blue Spirit Retreat in Nosara, where you can dive in to conscious movement to nourish body, mind and spirit and enjoy gourmet vegetarian meals, elegant accommodations, salt-water infinity pool, majestic beaches, and an amazing offering of spa and longevity services.
Here’s what one recent participant had to say about a retreat with Marybeth at Blue Spirit: “I could not have imagined how much this retreat would shift my perspective, challenge me physically, spiritually, and emotionally. It was a perfect balance of human connection, exercise (that exercised your body and mind simultaneously), and quiet reflection. The group was phenomenal and embracing and I could not recommend this retreat more!”
And if this sounds great, but the timing is too short, consider planning ahead for SHINE ON! Red Mountain Nia Retreat at the spectacular Red Mountain Resort near St. George, Utah, happening Sept 25-29.
Marybeth! Thank you so much for your leadership and inspiration in the field of conscious dance and movement! May 2019 be a fabulous year for you!
Nia and Yoga at Blue Spirit in Costa Rica
LIGHT UP :: January 5-12
DIVE IN :: January 12-19
Nia and Yoga at Red Mountain Resort in Utah
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