I do not know how to express the turmoil and conflict inside
And yet resolution is as simple as a choice for change, for balance
For 3 years now, balance has not existed in Mason’s life
The competitive dance system is set up that way (at least at his level, with his goals)
Just as it was with practicing law in a large firm
But Mason is still a teenager
Every year, every month and almost every week has been the same grind
Of getting through the intense demands on him
Academics and dance, with social and other interests squeezed into brief windows
His drive is super-human
But his sleep is super-deprived, taking a grave toll on him
Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually
I could detail for you his schedule
But why? To illustrate the absurdity of our choices?
In a twisted and perverted way, it only feels like complaining and whining
He cares about it all (and yet it feels like punishment)
Convincing himself that he can and must do it all
And when he falls short of super-human, of meeting demands beyond reason
He perceives that he has failed, that somehow he’s done wrong and not been good enough
And he beats himself up for being too exhausted to focus and stay awake for homework
I am his mother, I value balance
And yet, for 3 years I have supported him in creating not enough time or sleep/constant demands/full schedules
And in effect encouraged him to believe that his unbalanced lifestyle is normal and okay
I even increase his load by adding/allowing more dance events to “further his career”
Most decisions made sense at the time
Now, though, from his lips come the dreaded words “burn out” and “unsure of path”
Now, I search for strategies for Mason to make it through the next 2 months of school
(when and how did school become second to dance?)
While Mason searches for strategies to make it through each day
We love our studio, we love our studio owners/dance teachers
Mason is a gifted and passionate dancer with a real chance at success professionally
But these positives do not justify the toll taken on him
“Life is a blur” Mason often states
No time to process the accomplishments, the learning, the experiences
Always the next big dance event or school project to get through
Falling asleep in the car, on the couch, on the chiropractor’s table
20, 30, 40 hours...week in, week out of intense physical activity
The mental and emotional stress of being “on” at dance and on top of school adding to his sheer physical exhaustion
7 hours sleep the best he can hope for, not even near enough to refuel, reenergize, rest, function (or mature and grow!)...and he rarely gets in 7
Missing his first class or two because he literally can’t get out of bed
So many pills and tonics to support his immune system and depleted adrenals
Health care professionals strongly recommending he cut back on dance
We are quick to respond, “It is not possible”
Is this true?
Recognition that we have sustained the craziness to the end of its cycle
Acknowledgement of his profound growth from this intensity
And that now, less would be more beneficial and healthy
Intent to create greater balance with dance, school, life next year
Trust that the Universe will open the doors and present the opportunities and relationships that best serve him academically and creatively