life lessons from salsa (groan)

Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's one of those. And it's not even necessarily consistent with the whole 'visual' theme. Um... well... I have no justification for posting this on the blog, the content is trite and not consistent with the theme. And here it is anyway.

1. It's ok to follow sometimes. Also ok to lead.
2. For that matter, gender bending seems to be easier for females.(I guess that's not so much a life lesson as it is a cultural observation).
   
3. I have to ask for what I want (as in, asking a guy to dance instead of sitting on the sidelines and twiddling my thumbs).
4. Even when I'm following, I should be able to stand on my own two feet even if the lead were to suddenly disappear.
5. Leading does not mean forcing the follow to do a move. Leading means asking, the follow has the right to refuse.
   
6. As soon as I start to worry about impressing other people on the dance floor, I get nervous and start messing up. I also stop enjoying the dance.
   
7. When I have a good connection with a dance partner it's almost as if I can't tell who is doing what, who is leading and who is following. It becomes more of a collaboration. The division becomes blurred.
   
8. I can't connect with a dance partner if my arms are completely limp and without energy (if I shut down).
   
9. I also can't connect if I'm trying to arm-wrestle the guy (if I block his energy).
   
10. There's a difference between helping and rescuing.
    
11. The point of learning the moves is to be able to forget them.