I had just gotten off of the phone with my family, and was wandering some trails that ran right along Lake Bemidji. After being on a bus for a few hours, it was nice to get out and walk a little. The sound of the lake was so calming, the air was so refreshing, and the sun was finally shining today- for a little town that I knew nothing about (and whose name I still have trouble pronouncing), my first impression was a good one. It wasn't intentional, but something about this moment led me to reflect.
I can't say that the past couple of weeks have been easy- I've said good-bye to family and friends until who knows when, jammed my life into one suitcase, and traveled to a state that I've never been to and where I knew no one. On top of that, one of my most beloved and admirable dance teachers passed away right before beginning this new adventure. My heart longed to be home, my brain was full of scattered and anxious thoughts, and though I was incredibly excited, I was incredibly scared for the unknown.
It's already been a week since I left New York to begin a national tour with Sesame Street Live, and has it been a whirlwind! A crazy, warm-welcoming, truly rewarding, challenging, and insanely sweaty whirlwind. In one week I've met some wonderfully talented and kind people, learned two roles in one show, gotten a brief tour of Minneapolis, and have currently ended up in Bemidji, Minnesota.
I guess it wasn't until I was along this peaceful path that I first absorbed all of this. As I was watching some pretty wildflowers sway in the breeze, I thought "you're here right now because this is part of your job. You're here because you're doing what you love." Whoa. Talk about surreal. I went to college to pursue my passion for performing, and now I'm in some town I've never heard of about to embark on possibly one of the greatest adventures I've ever had. Like, what?! Even as I'm writing this it still sounds crazy to me- I'm going to travel the country and get paid and sing and dance all because it's my job?! No, not my job- this is so much more than a job. This is my passion. This is what I was meant to do.
As the sun shone down along the river, I couldn't help but smile. As stressful and physically and emotionally draining as life can be, I am so incredibly blessed to be here. Life is too short, and I need to appreciate the little moments like this. I want to take in and learn and experience as much as I can, and I hope this silly blog will help me remember everything; and if I'm lucky, other people will think my life is interesting too! Hey, if you've made it this far, congrats- thanks for thinking that my life is more interesting than what's currently on Netflix! (Well, I guess for this current moment...Netflix is pretty great...) I hope I'm able to fill this blog with all sorts of stories, pictures, and wonderful memories- here's to the journey ahead, and to a year of traveling across the great U.S. of A! Adventure is out there!
Peace, love, and dance,
Shelby
#shelbyseesthestates
State: Minnesota
City #1- Minneapolis
City #2- Bemidji
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