3 Reasons why Misty Copeland is our spirit animal.
“My goal is to become the first African-American principal dancer with A.B.T [American Ballet Theatre]..” After a pause, she added, “And, you know, of course, to get married and have kids.” — 2014 Misty Copeland interview with The New Yorker
On June 2015, Misty Copeland makes history to become the first African American Female Principal Dancer with the prestigious A.B.T.
Goal Setting —write it down, act upon it. Make it happen.
Once you make a decision, the universe conspires [conspires!!] to make it happen”
I know…I know, you and I may not have the natural grace and talent of an underprivileged, black child prodigy turned Principal Dancer, but we have the gumption! Being inspired by Misty’s journey allows us to mirror her goal-setting skills.
By us writing and acting on our goals, and taking daily steps towards them, we’ll see results over weeks, months, and years.
Make a decision of what you’d like to see in your life now and in the future, and write it down, and act on it daily. One of my favorite quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson speaks to what happens once you make a decision: “Once you make a decision, the universe conspires [conspires!!] to make it happen” That’s how powerful goal setting is, it equals progression in your life, in your world.
“My curves became an integral part of who I am as a dancer, not something I needed to lose to become one. I started dancing with confidence and joy, and soon the staff at ABT began giving me positive feedback again. And I think I changed everyone’s mind about what a perfect dancer is supposed to look like. — 2000 Misty Copeland Self Magazine
Strength & Flexibility —You shouldn’t have to fit into anyone’s prescribed mold.
During her first years at the A.B.T. Studio, Misty struggled.
In the face of adversity she continuously won.
Her weight and height were pulling her back as a ballerina. At 19, she was 108 lbs, 5’2", and her puberty halted.
Misty pushed through while dealing with these issues and many others that ballerinas face, such as an eating disorder. In the face of adversity she continuously won.
I certainly believe that the strength that exists in your mind, as well as body, will continue to harness greatness. We all understand that it’s a progress.
In certain spiritual traditions or cultures, spirit animal refers to a spirit which helps guide or protect a person on a journey and whose characteristics that person shares or embodies- dictionary.com
Grace & fortitude —Wow. Two very heavy words to live by.
When I see Misty Copeland dance or hear her speak, she makes it look rather easy. That’s the idea. The culmination of grit mix with determination has lead up to this.
And if we can mirror her astonishingly talented steps…hey, why can’t we at least try.
And I believe it continues. Misty fulfilled another of her personal goals: She got married to her long time boyfriend, Olu Evans.
The idea of Misty being a spiritual animal is to make accessible, some of the many steps she took to become the formidable woman that she continues to be.
And if we can mirror her astonishingly talented steps…hey, why can’t we at least try.
“We but mirror the world. All the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world of our body. If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. This is the divine mystery supreme. A wonderful thing it is and the source of our happiness. We need not wait to see what others do.” – Mahatma Gandhi
