I am not much of a dancer, but I get the basics. There’s really 2 main components. First, moving your body as an expression of the music. Second, keeping in step with your partner. I think conversation (something I am way more accustomed to than dancing) is a lot like that. We use our words to express what we are thinking/feeling and, (at least if we are good at conversation) we are doing out best to keep our words in line with the rhythm of our conversation partner. There is a constant exchange which takes place here. In conversation, we choose our words, our tone, and our timing not only in accordance with the rhythm of the conversation, but in response to the movements of the other person (or people if you really want to make it complicated!). Both dancing and conversation are artistic forms of expression of my opinion. Like dancing, conversations can be either graceful and exhilarating or cumbersome and traumatic. Both are also exhausting. Good conversations, like good dancing are draining - physically as well as emotionally. Both are practices you engage in not merely with skill, though that helps, but with thought, passion, and feeling.
Why bother to draw this analogy and bother to write all this? Couple of reasons.
First, I long to be an artist. I seriously envy those who can dance, draw, paint, sculpt, make music, or concoct brilliant and elaborate pieces of fiction. But that’s not me. I am a conversationalist, a speaker, and a teacher. I use words to try and paint pictures and shape imaginations. Maybe I am just stretching this, but I think that has some artistic merit.
Second, you can never have too many good analogies and this one reminds me that our words and the conversations they construct are never neutral - like any other art form, they either help or hinder that which they aim to express.
So here’s to the hope and expectation of dancing well with our words. Cheers!
4 responses so far ↓
1 Elizabeth // May 22, 2008 at 7:46 am
Ok, several things. First, I LOVE this google reader. Thanks for introducing it to me. It makes my life SO much easier. Second, you are right- you are really good with words. Zach and I regularly talk about how good you are with communication and teaching. I would definitely say you have an artistic skill in that. I assume your writing would be the same. Lastly, thanks for this post. It goes back to what I was saying last night about not being able to express emotion effectively in person. I never thought about it like this? Dancing? Art? It gives me a new challenge. So, Thanks.
P.S. I have a reputation for leaving the world’s longest blog comments. You should know that.
2 JR Rozko // May 22, 2008 at 9:42 am
Yeah, Google Reader is pretty much the bomb - makes the whole blog reading thing really easy and it’s constantly being integrated with more stuff. I especially love the ability to quickly and easily share certain posts that I think others would find interesting with them. Thanks for your kind words. I am with you, using words well is a skill I am continually looking to improve on. And don’t worry, any comment is a good comment!
3 julia // May 22, 2008 at 3:47 pm
you have such a great way of looking at things
love it. and elane? AMAZING!
4 JR Rozko // May 22, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I lucked out with Elaine, but thanks.
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