What do Daredevil and Belly Dance Have in Common?

I love them both.

And we're done!

Not really, of course.  I mean, I do love them both-but I'm far from being done.  Indulge my geekery for a moment or two, if you will.  Because I am a geek.  And sometimes geeky things really inspire me.  For crying out loud, I named my daughter after my favorite character from the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  (Had she been a boy, she would have been named "Parker" because of my love of Spiderman although "Murdock" was on the list as well, for reasons you are about to see.)  The first time I watched The Avengers I damn near cried for sheer joy.  So when Netflix released an original series based on the Marvel hero, Daredevil, it was sort of inevitable that I would see it.  I binge watched 4 episodes in one sitting and completed the remaining 9 episodes within a couple days.  The writing, acting, and cinematography are truly amazing.  Seriously, if you haven't seen it-you need to make it the next series you watch.  (Disclaimer: it is VERY violent.  Do not let any children under the age of 16 see this.  I had to look away for some of it!)

For those who aren't familiar with the comic, Daredevil is the story of a lawyer named Matt Murdock who was blinded as a young boy.  Rather than let this hold him back, he utilizes his other senses and trains until he becomes AWESOME.  And by AWEWSOME, I mean he uses his heightened senses and training to fight crime in an effort to keep his city and the people in it safe.  

So, how in hell's kitchen does this relate to belly dance?  Well, I've come to realize that most of us experience something at some point in our lives that feels about as wonderful as radioactive chemicals in your eye.  Divorce, illness, insecurity, financial catastrophe, violence, betrayal, or the death of a loved one.  We've all been "blinded" in some way.  Sometimes by our own actions and sometimes by the actions of another.  But I truly believe that those very hardships create a strength elswhere in our characters.  A heightened sense of compassion.  A drive to help others.  An attitude of positive risk-taking. An appreciation for life and the brevity of it.  A deeper creativity.  I've experienced some of life's heartache, too.  And it has helped lead me to belly dance.  I have limitations as a dancer, a writer, a parent, a human.  But I have strengths in those areas, too.  It's easy to focus on what we are lacking rather than the ways we are talented and strong.  

Ultimately, Daredevil and Belly Dance have taught me similar things.  We can choose to focus on the "blindness" in our lives or we can enhance our strengths to bring something good to ourselves and those around us.  To make our "city" a better place. 

And did I mention the lead actor in the series is super hot?