Each trip down to see my twin nieces, ‘the bubbies’, feels like finding a hidden portal to my childhood.  One of my most favorite childhood memories was making up dance routines with my sister and our neighborhood friends. We would practice for hours in the middle of the street.  (I can hear the gasps now! Yes mamas, we practiced in the middle of the street, and no one got squished!)

My heart is so happy to see our fun childhood traditions organically passed down to the bubbies.

This last visit, a new tradition spawned. Instead of our normal large group collaborative dance routine, we decided each bubby should choreograph their very own dance. The twist was they had to be saddled with a middle-aged lady…. Aka myself, or my sister.  Pick your poison bubbies. You have one lady with no rhythm (ME), or the other lady with amazing rhythm but sore hips (MY SISTER).

I was selected by the older bubby. She chose a pop routine.  First mistake bubby, know your dancer’s weakness. You are supposed to hide it, not highlight it!  There was no turning back now. For the next 30 seconds I was about to play the lead of Britney Spears ‘Circus’. The video started rolling… 

What happened next shocked all who witnessed it, myself included!

WAIT a minute!!! Does this look as good as it feels?  My moves felt natural, smooth and dare I say, rhythmic. I even remembered ‘almost’ the entire routine. As the song concluded the entire family audience erupted in surprised cheers. My sister was even wiping away tears! She had never seen me so confident in that area, and truth be told; I had never felt so confident.

Mamas, I spent my whole life telling myself I didn’t have rhythm. But lo and behold, I had some. They managed to sneak out when this middle-aged lady was trying win a family dance competition.

But what made this confident Jackie appear?

Mamas, I hope you can understand the added pressure surrounding this solo dance. This was a competition, and my bubby needed me. We both wanted beat our sister!  Sister versus sister.  I am also hearing the ticking clock. One of these days, my 5^th grade bubbies are going to find out just how uncool their auntie is. I see faint cracks forming already. One of my future visits my cover will be blown and I didn’t want to blow it that day.

On that day, I just really just wanted to make my bubby proud.  I needed to stave off the uncool auntie revelation just a little longer.  And it worked! My dance was successful.  I made my bubby proud, I made my sister cry, and I shocked myself.  

I can no longer say: “I can’t dance.”  Apparently, I just needed the right motivation.

What about you, mamas:

What does your inner voice say you can’t do?

Perhaps you just need to find the right motivation, and get out of your own way.