Voices Carry

I have been invited 

I tend to say yes, too often.  Envision myself in a job interview, asked the standard question,

what are your biggest weaknesses

For me, among a few things, it’s this underlying urge to be involved. Sticking my nose In it all.

I tend to say yes, and partly because of that,

people tend to keep asking.

So my journey this year has been to adopt the philosophy: if it’s not a hell yes, then it’s a no.

And I think this is a hell yes.

I’m in a room full of Vietnamese colleagues, preparing for our Tet dance routine.

I am comfortable here, but also acutely aware of my position. An outsider invited to the party, out of kindness and generosity. A chance to lean into local customs. Not the first time I’ve done this, and because I say yes, the team keeps asking me to join.

This year, a traditional routine from the northern region based on many many years of dance, song, and pageantry.

As an old-ish guy, my dance moves are limited, but thankfully this routine is right up my alley.

Step step step kick step step step kick.  

Nothing that requires too much talent.

I am grateful for this 

Perhaps the days of making a fool of myself on stage are coming to an end.  And that’s OK.

The room buzzes, mostly with laughter.  The colleagues I find myself performing with are from a range of positions and levels. But performance and dance are common denominators, evening things out.

At the moment, everyone in this room is simply a performer. And that helps me to feel like I belong.

I watch closely, choosing one or two guides, whose feet mirror mine as they match the beat

Step step step kick step step step kick. 

We weave through the routine, five, six times, each time a step better.

I pull off my now sweaty hoodie. 

This is not a workout, but we are definitely moving and pacing, in sync.

And with each progressive turn, the jokes fly, the smiles grow, laughter cascades off the walls

and it is the best hour of my day.

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