When I decided to set aside what was “politically correct” and started steering my life the way I wanted—aware of the potential failures that others might look down on—that’s when I discovered happiness.
My name is Diana Follegati, and I have an addiction... dance. As a child, dance became the cure to my fears; they disappeared the moment I pressed “play” on that little red, battery-powered radio at the age of four.
People often ask me, “What does it feel like?” Dance makes me feel so many things; my heart begins to beat in time with the rhythm, adrenaline flows, and I feel alive. There are, of course, pains in this journey—not just the physical ones like the aches in my back, knees, or wrists—but moments when your spirit feels close to breaking. But you know what? It’s worth it. The magic starts with that first beat of music. It’s incredible! Dance allows me to express myself and touch others in a way I can control and shape.
For many, a performance begins when the curtain rises and ends when it falls. For me, everything is a beginning; every space becomes a potential stage. I’ve danced in theaters, on streets, in my living room, in my bedroom, and in a train station. And if someone asks if I’m happy, I’d say no—“happy” is too small a word for what I feel when I dance.
I hope you have found something you can call “dance” in your own lives—something that brings you alive, beyond the limits of what’s “politically correct” for society. Enjoy every moment of what you’re passionate about, live fully, and never stop creating. It amazes me how much my heart can take, how it keeps beating through so many leaps and turns, from jazz to contemporary to hip-hop and tap.
Before I close, I want to comment on "failure". To me, failure is an inherent part of success. I’ve fallen, but in acknowledging the bruises, I found the strength to get back up and begin again. And each time, I look up and find support in family and, most importantly, in God. I couldn’t finish this note without tying up that thought.
I woke up today, with the urge to dance—so what better way to start than with this specific reflection.
:)
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