We have dance coaches, friends, costume designers, shoe designers, hair/make-up consultants, and much more depending on your individual needs. In every stage of life we are usually seeking some type of help, whether it is medical, financial, educational, or artistic as in the case of dancers. The question is are those that are giving you Guidance, leading you in the right direction? There is a scripture that Jesus said: “The Gateway to Life, is small and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it”.

I have realized in my own life, as I get older that people will offer you advice, but they have never experienced what you are experiencing. Asking this question regarding whoever is giving you advice is most important: “Has this person ever sat in your seat?” If you are learning to drive and you ask advice of someone who has never driven a car, but only ridden in the passenger seat that is not very smart. In relation to Ballroom Dance, if you want to become an expert in Theatrical but take lessons from a coach who has only danced Standard makes no sense. Advice is cheap, make sure the advice you are getting is coming from someone who really cares and has gone through similar experience, then listening to him or her might be worth your while.

On another note in seeking advice, you might be getting it from someone who has been in your position, but they are giving you advice based on their own emotions. For instance, another ballroom dancer decided to change partners because they constantly argued and did not get along. You are now in a similar situation and this person tells you to go ahead and leave your partner. But this person is giving you advice based on his or her own anger and frustration from their personal experience. They probably have unforgiveness toward their former partner, so they judge everything based on this emotion.

Even going to a professional counselor for advice in your life, you should research what their training is and what they base their counsel on. Not everything that is labeled professional is the best choice. Most decisions that people make come from their mind, which houses their will and emotions. If we have had a lot of negative circumstances and situations in our lives, and have not been emotionally healed of them, our decisions will come from these unhealed emotions. God made mankind as a three part being: “Spirit, Soul, and Body.” We have a spirit, which is our heart, then we have a soul, comprised of our mind, will and emotions, and we live in a body. Healing the soul (our mind, will and emotions) is crucial in receiving correct Guidance. When we get this inner emotional healing, we can then make proper decisions from our spirit, our heart, which is truly who we really are. If our spirit is in tuned with God, then the Guidance we need will be moving in the right direction. The following poem has been an inspiration to many, and I pray it will also guide you. GUIDANCE
Author Unknown “When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing “dance” at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God’s will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn’t flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music.
It is as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person,
And gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw “G”: I thought of “God”, followed by “u” and “i”.
“God”, “u” and “i” dance.”
God, you, and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God’s blessings and mercies be upon you on this day and everyday.
May you abide in God as God abides in you.
Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life!”

Susan Silva is an NDCA National Championship Certified Adjudicator in all styles of Ballroom Dance plus the Performing Arts. Former Theatrical, Exhibition, and American Style Champion. Broadway, Television, and Film Performer, toured with the Beatles in the mid 60’s, Author of a Theatrical Ballroom Syllabus, Choreographer & Lecturer. Available for judging, lectures, choreography, and coaching. Susan is also a Personal Dance Life Coach, and ordained minister able to counsel people in all areas of life. Counseling is done by e-mail, phone, skype, or in person. She is now located in West Palm Beach, Florida. Contact Info: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., www.susansilvadance.com, ph: 860-984-8387