Spot – fix your eyes
The official beginning of fall seems to mean a more structured sense to our days. Children are back in school, after school activities are in full swing and the pace of life is quicker than during those lazy days of summer. When my daughters were young I realized if I wanted to ease into my day instead of being thrown into it, I had to get up earlier than they did. To be honest I fought that idea for years but when I recognized the benefits I started taking advantage of a quiet house to get my thoughts and self together. The post below is the first post I wrote for Laced with Grace. It has now been seven years since I retired from teaching ballet but those skills learned from many years of dance are still with me even though on occasion I need a reminder to “spot.”
I officially retired from teaching ballet five years ago but hanging up my ballet slippers for good wasn’t in the cards even after 35 years of owning my own dance studio. God blessed me with the opportunity to teach one ballet class a week at a modern dance studio which has been wonderful. I teach my one class without the responsibilities of owning and operating a small business.
One of the first things I always teach my students is how to spot – a technique of focusing on one thing so you don’t get dizzy while turning. “Did you remember to spot?” is a common correction as a student glides or stumbles across the room. Through the years I noticed that the youngest of my students never seemed to care if they got dizzy. The anticipation of ruffled tutus, sequin tiaras, glittery wands and maybe even a ribbon streamer were enough to counter any and all ill effects of turning. Spinning, twirling, whirling around even tumbling to the ground were all part of their ballerina experience. Needless to say as my students advanced in their studies, stumbling around after a sequence of pirouettes was not beneficial.
Spotting is an important technique for them to master. The concept is simple – fix your eyes on one point. Of course doing that as your body is performing a pirouette isn’t that easy, your head can only turn so far before you have to “snap” it around. And that is where it gets tricky that moment when you have to move your head but need to keep your eyes focused on your spot. That is the part that takes practice and more practice until it is naturally what you do – fix your eyes, accomplish the move and end still looking at the same spot, not dizzy but able to continue with the dance.
Some days the activities and responsibilities of life can feel like we are spinning around like a ballerina. May I suggest find your “spot”– focus on Him. There is a beautiful hymn that states “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12: 1 – 3 NIV
He is the only fixed thing in the universe. Great thoughts!
Good point. The same yesterday, today and forever. He holds it all together. Thank you, Lord.
Such a great reminder to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus when things start twirling around us.
Thanks, Iris. It was the reminder the Lord had for me. Have a good day.