Movement and Color

Movement gives my world color. It allows me to understand, process and digest my emotions. There is a similar effect taking place not only when I am moving, but as well when I am being moved. Whether actively riding a bicycle, driving a car, sailing a boat or passively as passenger in a boat, car, train, plane, my body calms and my mind clears. I can sort through thoughts and emotions and deal easier with my overactive monkeybrain. Interestingly, I have always loved neutral colors, my wardrobe consisting majorly of the 100 shades of gray, plus black and some washed out beige. It is rare I would reach to wear bright colors, feeling my mood too influenced from vivid shades and bold patterns. I first realized the strength of this connection in 1994, when I experienced the first injury/accident of my dance career, ripping and almost severing the transverse ligament of my right foot. Due to age, 36, and severity of the injury, the foot specialist recommended surgery. Two days later I was hobbling slowly around my apartment on crutches, with a purple cast and a no-weight ban on my foot. I had no idea how my injury would heal, much less if I would be able to continue dancing. At that time I had no other financial options and no other education. I was confined to minimum movement to reduce swelling of the foot inside the cast. The little energy I had, I used to feel sorry for myself. To my surprise, I was unable to wear any of my beloved black, gray or neutral clothing. Instead, I pulled out old gifted T-shirts of hot pink, brilliant orange and neon blue, anything I could find that was light and bright. For the next 4 weeks, until I got permission to start swimming, I lived in those colored t-shirts. Without my physical movement, I craved color in my life. Even an orange shirt! (I hate orange!) Once I could at least swim, (I hate swimming in an indoor pool), the grays and blacks became again a natural choice for me. Today is no different. My wardrobe is 90% neutral and 10% some softer blue/green tone. The movement is still coloring my heart.