Friendships and Kindnesses

This week, I'm thinking with a smile about our dancers (recent new joiners) who will be getting married next weekend; and also an older couple who met at Laughter in Line - and have been living together for quite a few years now, even though they've now found a dance class closer to home.

I've been musing about how friendships form, and how important it is in modern life; I saw a post on another group which said... "I'm lonely. I have a job, a home, a telly and a cat, but how can I make friends?" And it made me feel a little sad for the person - but pleased they reached out to ask the question. And of course, the answers coming back were things like... volunteer to help a group that does something of interest to you. Join the library and go to the book events. Take up a hobby.... dance!

And I've been thinking about watching you dance in contra this week (yes I know, I end up standing there beaming from the inside out, like a proud mother hen sitting on a lighthouse) and this is what I see: you're concentrating, but you're smiling, you're interacting with other dancers, dodging round each other, messing it up occasionally and having a shared laugh, and when the music ends, a cheer goes up - because it's been so much fun, and it's been a shared experience. I really must film it, so that you can see what I see. It's just brilliant.

Something else I noticed this week: a dancer who joined about six weeks ago, was on the end (where it's harder) was giving me real "I'm never going to get this" vibes... this week, was helping the dancer next to her with a step pattern. (Yessss!) Some teachers don't like it when dancers help each other, but I love it. It's always been a part of what makes Laughter in Line special; we are a community, not just a dance class. I think our social events, nights out, and knowing one another's names, contribute to that, as well.

And when a new person walks through the door, (which can be quite a daunting thing to do, it takes a lot of courage), I also see others helping them. "Get in the middle," I heard this week, "go and stand near the front, it's easier up there". And I saw a dancer who used to be a second-row person, move further back because she's feeling more confident, and someone new needed that spot. (Nothing wrong with sticking with the second row, by the way, my point is, being aware of new dancers and trying to help them all you can.) We all started as new beginners, we know how it feels*, and the kindness I see you show other new dancers makes me just... beam. Well done, all of you.

So, to wrap up: keep up with the kindness and thoughtfulness and connection I see every week. I don't want any of you to ever think: I'm lonely. We are Laughter in Line and we are a community!

I would love to see your comments about kindness and friendliness. What do you see that makes you smile in class?

*Special thanks to a lady called Myra. When I was a clueless new beginner, she would quietly point in the right direction so I wouldn't vine-left when I should be dancing a vine-right! Miss you, Myra... thank you, 20 years later I've not forgotten you.