Top 4 Things That Made Me Smile Today

So. I’m slightly injured.

I’ve been rehearsing for a film, teaching and running BDX, teaching dance workshops at public schools, and letting the world know about my show. Plus other stuff like performing, newspaper and other media interviews & community work.

I love what I do. I hardly ever complain. I’m blessed to live a life in entertainment! I get to do TV appearances, dance classes, movies, school workshops, kick-ass studio, guest speaking, choreography, interviews, travelling…

Like seriously- There’s about 15 theatre productions running in Toronto right now. And one of them is mine.

Rusty screwdrivers suck

Ok. I’ve been rehearsing for a couple of things. One of them is a new dance movie coming out next year sometime. (Working with some seriously talented peeps and choreographers @NappyTabs @Nick_Gonzalez1)

Last Thursday, my body decided I should have a break, so it strategically damaged one of the discs in my lower spine and tightened the surrounding muscles. Feels like someone has a rusty screwdriver poking UPWARDS on my vertebrae, sending a sharp, shooting pain toward my shoulder blades.

Fun times! All of a sudden, instead of “Well hello world! Nice to tweet you!” I’m saying things like “mutha f**k! This pain is some bulls**t” when attemting to get out of bed…

I’m getting better. Pretty quickly actually, thanks to acupuncture and chiropractor visits to my Dr Ho, because this was no band-aid boo boo.

But not being able to fully dance SUCKS.

Know what I mean?

Even though I’m hurting a bit, I’m still thankful for my blessings. There’s always things, people and activities that make me smile daily! Some major awesome, and some silly but still a mood changer.

In random order, here’s the top 4 things that made me smile TODAY:

1) My interactive dance workshop with Grade 9 – 12 students: I taught a fun basic steppin class at St Lawrence Community Centre. A high school from Burlington came to watch I Think I Can. We had a pre-show workshop where they learned some tap history, dance moves and came up with their OWN step choreography. THEY WERE AWESOME. Why steppin? Big Boots characters do some in the show.

2) The Apple Store: I bought something? Yes. Call me Zeus, because I now have Thunderbolt.

3) This shiny new Sigma lens for my Rebel T2i. This beauty now lives with me. Speaking of smiling, hope you brushed your teeth next time I see you…

4) This has got to be the BEST thing I heard all day. If you’ve ever doubted the power and freedom of dance, or the wisdom and intellect of children, READ THIS:

At the end of each show at LKTYP we have what’s called a Talk Back. Cast members stay on stage and answer questions from the audience. A question was asked TO the audience

“Why do the kids in the show speak with their feet and not their voices?” To which one incredibly smart child around 10 years old, replied without hesitation:

“Because dancing speaks louder than words.”

Ain’t that the truth.

What injury? That kid healed my life today better than any expert doctor ever could. Now I’ll be dancing “full out” soon!

Hope this made YOU smile,

– Shawn B
@ShawnByfield

Been injured? Aside from getting the right treatment and rest, what helps YOU cheer up? Comment or TWEET ME your thoughts.