The Power of One Good Day
Jennifer Chenoweth, once told me, “No matter how hard life hits, if we can have one good day, we might imagine another.”
October 26 was one good day for me. I remember a morning of music, art, and a warm breakfast in the streets. Ruta, a theater on wheels arrived from El Paso and opened its doors to guests experiencing homelessness to share a moment of wonder instead. A ballet troupe leaped through the streets and our guests joined in the dance. The afternoon explored storytelling with data and virtual realities across Austin, and the evening stars fell with music and dance in every crevice of the theater.
People, people made it good. Our emerging dance fellow from Mexico completed his 19 month mentorship by presenting his own choreography sharing the stage with award-winning artists from six other countries. His mother beamed with joy in the audience and then jumped onstage to dancer herself with another audience member. The next day these three new friends spontaneously hit the road to Monterrey. Obstacles became opportunities, strangers became friends, and I remember life is good.
Five years ago, we started an experiment asking “Where do you feel a sense of belonging?” Today I ask, how do you want to spend your days?
You can support a neighbor:
Draw Together throws community block parties and invites people experiencing homelessness to eat, jam, and draw together.
You can support an artist:
The Theorists provide scholarships and mentorships for artists from Texas and Mexico to collaborate together. Over the past two years we have opened opportunities to train and tour three countries, 14, cities, and dozens of events.
You can join the dance:
Our Toolbox series provides movement classes for people of diverse ages, abilities, and backgrounds to push their limits with dance.
You can share your story:
The XYZ Atlas is an interact public art project asking where we feel a sense of belonging mapping our collective experiences.
Until we meet and move again, may you have one good day, day by day, into 2020.
Love and Gratitude,
Amy Morrow
Donate:
https://www.betterunite.com/findingfisterra
