This, I Believe Essay

You Never Know Until You Try
Czarina C. Caberto


Everyone has their own way of expressing themselves. Some choose painting to depict a story. Some choose playing an instrument to convey their feelings. Some choose writing to say what’s on their mind. But for me, I passionately use dancing as a tool of expression. But I never would’ve found this out about myself if I never took that first dance class back in the 4th grade.

“Mom, I’m bored”, was the statement that was frequently heard by my younger self. I’m an only child, so I never really had anybody to play with when my parents were away at work. My elementary school days were basically composed of staying home, doing homework, watching TV, and reading. You can’t even imagine how bored I got trying to entertain myself by watching the same TV shows or reading the same books daily. My mom had noticed my frequent boredom and offered to take me to dance classes a couple of days of the week. I was also a very anti-social kid back then, so the idea of dancing in front of others came at a shock for me. “No. It’s okay. I’d rather not take dance classes.” was my response to my mom’s offer. “Why not? You always seem bored at home. Dancing will give you something to do.” I didn’t even think twice about considering dance classes. I really did not want to go. But in the next couple of days, I found myself standing in the middle of a dance studio, trying to catch up with the choreography that was being thrown at me. My first dance class was one of the most horrific experiences of my life. I made a total embarrassment out of myself because I kept doing the “isolations” wrong, the “leaps and turns” without proper technique, and I did not really have the best dance etiquette. I went back home thinking, “Maybe dancing is just not my thing”. I sat in my room and thought about the next class in the next couple of days. I really did not want to make another fool out of myself, but since I was already enrolled, I could not do anything about it.

The next class came at an instant and I was not as nervous as I was before only because I knew what was coming my way. But I was still unwilling to take the class and it showed through my actions. My moves and facial expressions weren’t full out as it was supposed to be. At the end of the class, a couple of girls approached me and started socializing with me. Before I knew it, we became friends and exchanged phone numbers. I felt as if I were enjoying dance class a bit more only because I felt more comfortable dancing in front people since I knew them more.

After the next couple of dance classes, I started to see only the finer points in dancing and I just fell in love with it. That was when I started using it as a form of self-expression. It’s been 6 years since my first dance class and I’ve never gotten tired of it since. Without dance, I would be a completely different person than how I am now. I am now more confident and sociable, unlike how I was before. I wouldn’t have evolved into a better person if I didn’t attend that one class. You never know what will happen until you try. This, I believe.