“You are not accidental. The world needs you. Without you, something will be missing in existence and nobody can replace it.” Rajneesh
I think the most amazing thing is feeling like you are needed. You’re needed with your friends, you are needed with your family. If you were not there, there would be a gaping hole that could not be filled. I don’t really feel like I’m needed all the time and I still don’t quite fully believe it. I know I am a pretty good instructor and an okay storyteller, but if Aleks was gone, people would move on.
Recently, I was reminded that maybe that isn’t true – maybe I am needed.
Four weeks ago, I got an email from my mentor that was a link to an article that talks about how there is a mental health crisis. The article explained that mental health is at an all-time low. People are feeling lonely and isolated. Depression rates and suicides are increasing. It is just all bad. This is no surprise because, for the past two and half years, the isolation, frustration, and sense of loss due to the pandemic has been building.
When my mentor emails me with articles and such, I always respond with what I’ve learned and what I am going to do with those lessons. So I replied in my usual way. “Thanks for the article. This is what I’ve learned and here is my plan of action.”
And then I get a reply from my mentor. “No you missed it…I’m just reminding you that Toronto needs you.”
I read it and started to tear up…I don’t think like that. I don’t think that Toronto needs me.
The following Monday I got another email from my mentor with an article attached. This article was about a coffee shop in Toronto that is teaching people how to socialize again. Due to the pandemic, we have lost the ability to socialize. It was a fascinating article and immediately I was in action mode. I actually know this reporter and I was going to reach out to her and maybe she could write about Toronto Dance Salsa and what we are doing. I was going to change the format of my Q&A section of the website. I had a whole plan and I shared it with my mentor and he replied:
“No. You’re missing it. I just want to remind you that Toronto needs you.”
I burst into tears because I spent my whole life trying to be useful, to prove I am needed. But as I chase that hunger for being needed I never feel like I am…
So I paused and just said “I can’t believe that about myself but maybe I can just start believing that HE believes that about me”
My heart expanded 5 times its size and I was filled with gratitude, love, and happiness.
It is a really special feeling for someone to remind you that you truly are needed.
So if you don’t have someone like that in your life, let me be that person. You are needed. You are needed in the city. You’re needed in this world.
The special, unique, one of a kind, never another like you in the world, YOU.
You’re needed. The world needs you and the world would not be as bright as it is without you.
And if like me you have trouble believing that. Then do what I did.
Believe that I BELIEVE that about YOU.
I can’t wait to welcome you to our big family, have you coming in a week to week, having fun, socializing, and letting loose to amazing Latin songs. Click here to check our current schedule.
If you have any questions you would like me to answer here are some ways you can contact me: message me on Instagram (torontodanceSalsa), on Twitter (#torontodanceSalsa), on Facebook (Toronto Dance Salsa) or email me at [email protected].
