When it comes down to it, you're just a big softy - well, a diminutive softy anyway.
I see kindness not as an attitude, but more of one's motivation and intention. Sometimes being nice is kind, sometimes being tough is kind - it depends on whether you're doing something with someone's feelings in mind, and for their good.
Some of the best dance teachers I ever had were the most brutal. When I asked them to help me because I wanted to be the best performer I could be, they did exactly as I wanted. They pushed me beyond what I ever thought possible. They took time out of their day to devote to bettering my skills. And once I felt like I'd accomplish something, they'd put me right back in my place by saying essentially, "Girl, you haven't done
nothing yet. Get back to the barre."
There were times when all I wanted to do was run away and hide from their glares. They could look right through me, and as much as I said I wanted to be pushed, at times I was terrified of them. But I felt obligated to stay because
they were there for me. So, I'd go back to the barre, or do the combination or partner stunt again. And again. And again. And again.....through tears and pain and bruises and sometimes through injury. And through it all, I was able to go further in my technique than I truly
ever thought possible.
That was kindness, in my honest opinion. They cared so much for my development, and gave me exactly what I needed and wanted more than anything.
Yes, I can see you tapping your foot; saying "Why do you keep on making me do this to you? You know this hurts me more than it does you.....NOT!"
LOL
You know, at times it
is painful to fill out dance cards for auditioners who walked in to the audition as friends of mine, and who I never know if they'll walk out too hurt to call me a friend when I give them an honest critique. Or when I'm the teacher/choreographer who sees the dancer struggling to stand up because of muscle fatigue, or who fell down and hurt her ankle, or who is crying through a combination because I told her that her last attempt was awful. But I believe in those most who I'm toughest on. I would never be that difficult on somebody who doesn't show a desire to better themselves.
So now, is that "kind"? Or is it simply "committed"? And are they two separate categories?
