Patience

       What I'm learning is patience. This past week, I was given many opportunities to get frustrated, and I did. And it brought me to a very toxic state of mind. The political climate of the world is really taking its toll on me, and as a woman of color, it's near impossible to avoid it. Oppression is real, and so are its effects. We're given every reason to be angry. And to carry that anger with us wherever we go. But if we neglect to give ourselves what we need, the situation becomes much, much worse. 

        As an advocate for social change, I'm learning when to take a step back and realize that I can't do it all. Now more than ever, I need to handle my emotions so that it doesn't affect work. I need to keep myself on track. I can't afford to be so overcome with pain that I can no longer create. And so I guess I'm writing this as a part of that moving-forward process. 

       My takeaway from this past week is to be kind to myself. Pain can fuel art, but it shouldn't drive it. Now is the time to heal and move forward into something new. Something deeper. 💪🏽 Have a good week everyone! :) 

Peace & love,

MSB

Stay tuned for upcoming posts!

Visit movedipr.org for more info about this incredible organization!

Follow us on Instagram! @movedipr @difned 

Out of the Dark and Into the Light

      So here I am. Laying in my bed, reflecting on another week passed, and another week to come. Not going to lie, these past few weeks have been full of ups and downs, and I’ve really been thinking about a lot. Mainly dance, art, relationships, love, and my role in the world. All of our roles, really. And how all of these precious things are connected. One of the things I’ve come to realize is that no matter how hard or difficult it gets, no matter how heavy the weight on our shoulders may feel, we just have to keep going. And that that struggle of pulling ourselves out of dark places every now and again, is part of what makes us human, and what gives greater meaning to our art. I for one know what it feels like to not be able to create anymore, to have no desire at all, and to  really be in a dark place. But, I’ve found that I just need to sit with those feelings and embrace them.
     SO.... as summer comes to a close and a new chapter emerges, I’m seeing things with fresh eyes. Now that the eclipse has come and gone, I see that transformation is among us, if we stay open to it. In fact, I’m not sure that art would even exist if it weren’t for some need to release parts of our soul. The parts that ache, and need to express pain and passion in whatever way possible. The turmoil of the world around us, the hate, the violence of the present day, are all what make art essential. They’re what make it that much more real. Art is active, art is healing, art is open. And art is new each and every day. More importantly, it has given me every reason to love more, and deeper. To learn when to fight, and when to let go. Which I'll probably be mastering for the rest of my life.

Guess that’s it for now. Until next time! :)

Peace & love,

MSB

P.S. I will now be posting every MONDAY. So stay connected to see where diprVOICE goes next :)

Also, **DATE TO SAVE >>> A DIPR Contemporary Wkshp !! LABOR DAY (Sunday, September 4th) 6-9pm @ Gibney Dance (280 Broadway) 

Stay tuned for upcoming posts!

Visit movedipr.org for more info about this incredible organization!

Follow us on Instagram! @movedipr @difned

Share your thoughts below!! We want to hear from YOU!

Nothing to Lose, So Much to Gain

           Good morning beautiful people! ☀ I’m here this morning to talk a little bit about expectations. We all have them. Some of us think we should lower ours. Others live by the mantra of having none. But expectations can be a good tool for success, if used properly. It begins with control. So much of what we gain out of experiences depends entirely on what we're willing to put into them. What we are willing to give of ourselves. Because here's an ugly truth: nothing is guaranteed in this career. Rarely will things be given to you other than constructive criticism, advice, guidance for navigating the industry, etc. So this is where you must take control and put in the work. Match the opportunities you're given with the effort you put in.

I get it. It can be discouraging at times. This is why it's important to remember that only you have the power to control the outcome of your progress, as a human being and as an artist. And only you know your own body. You know what you need to do in order to be able to give 100%. And you know on which days you won’t be that. But if we enter spaces with a willingness to learn, to create, and to grow, our experiences will begin to change. Having an openness as an artist is one of the best things you can have. A willingness to be vulnerable, accept fear, and push past it. This becomes crucial as we engage with one another as humans, and enter spaces to make art and share movement. Always be willing to move deeper!! -- Just my two cents. Happy Hump Day! J

Peace & love,

MSB

P.S. SAVE THE DATE >>> A DIPR Contemporary Wkshp !!

When: LABOR DAY (Sunday, September 4^th) 6-9pm @ Gibney Dance (280 Broadway)  

Stay tuned for upcoming posts!

Visit movedipr.org for more info about this incredible organization!

Follow us on Instagram! @movedipr @difned

Different

Good morning beautiful people! ☀       

Let’s talk a little bit about doubt. Self-doubt to be specific. Why we have it, how it manifests, the whole nine. Doubt by definition means “a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction; to be afraid of.” In a society such as the one we live in, it’s inevitable for artists to compare themselves to one another. We all do it. You see something or someone great, and you want to be great too. Or you want what they have. This in turn makes us question or doubt our own capabilities and capacity to be great. 

So, first thing's first. STOP COMPARING. I read a quote once that said: The presence of their beauty is not the absence of yours. I continue to remind myself of that each and every day.

Secondly, distinguish between what's real and what isn't. Society gives us every reason to doubt ourselves. Displaying images of misconceptions of beauty and making those who are different feel disadvantaged. All of that is just unnecessary noise. Pay no attention to it. This should light a fire under you. Listen to the voice inside your soul and let this motivate you to commit to your craft whole-heartedly, and you will see results. Embrace your different. Embrace your voice.

And finally, BE-YOU-tiful!

Peace & love,

MSB

Stay tuned for upcoming posts!

Visit movedipr.org for more info about this incredible organization!

Follow us on Instagram! @movedipr @difned

Not Yet, but Soon

         As creators of art and movement, PATIENCE IS KEY. In fact, it is everything. We live in a fast-paced world, but we must learn how and when to remove ourselves from the hustle and bustle of all that lies around us. We must pay attention to what lies WITHIN US. The more patient we are, the more space opens up for us to envelop. This allows us to connect to our deeper selves and evolve into who we're destined to be as artists.

         It is so easy for us to get frustrated with what isn't working, or with the progress we're not seeing. And that's okay! Those are the moments we must pay attention to. We must be patient with our growth, our successes, our failures, and the goals we set for ourselves. Time is precious, and it will be on our side if we let it. We just have to know what to do with it, and how to use it to our advantage. It's a powerful thing, and it can heal a lot of things. Pain. Injury. Heartache. Longing. You name it. But we can't spend each day fighting what is. Instead, we have to grab hold of time, onto creativity, and soar. In doing so, we discover the freedom resting at our fingertips.

Sooo.... JOIN US!

In staying patient. Staying creative. Staying aware.

Take a step back, breathe, harness your power, and begin to MOVE DEEPER!

Peace & love,

MSB

P.S. You won't want to miss Dionna's LAST CLASS at Steps on Broadway NYC TOMORROW, 8/9 @ 7:45pm!!

Come, sweat, and learn some dope street jazz! Visit her IG for other save-the-dates! xo

Stay tuned for upcoming posts! 

Visit movedipr.org for more info about this incredible organization!

Follow us on Instagram! @movedipr @difned

The Mirror Is Not You

         Read that again. And again. Repeat it to yourself until you believe that it’s true. As dancers, we spend almost all of our time in front of a mirror. In some instances, this can be very informative, especially when we’re working on alignment in technique classes. But the mirror can just as easily become a crutch. If we allow ourselves to rely on it more than we should, it can be the very reason why our artistry isn’t progressing. We can't allow ourselves to depend on it so much, that when it's not there, our bodies go into shock. Mirrors are false sources of validation. It is a two dimensional reflection of three dimensional beings in space. Therefore, we must train ourselves to look past it, instead of allowing it to affect how we view ourselves and our bodies.

SO... my advice? Get out of the mirror, and get into your body. Get in tune with it. Listen to it. Listen to what it needs, and give it just that. Embrace the space that you dance in every day. Embrace the world you move through. Become one with your surroundings, and begin to notice how your artistic experiences change. You have the power to transform not only your dancing, but your human experience. See beyond the mirror…look DEEPER.

Peace & love,

MSB

Stay tuned for upcoming posts! 

Visit movedipr.org for more info about this incredible organization!

Follow us on Instagram! @movedipr @difned