The lights flickered for a moment. The mirrors made the room feel like a galaxy, an endless possibility. The floor was smooth and unforgiving. The music had a strange echo…the trails of melody seeming to go on forever, into all the corners and unseen crevasses. Two deep breaths. Her eyes closed in momentary preparation. Her mind racing to anywhere but here. A million thoughts crowding out the now. Memories more vivid than her heart thumping behind her ocean eyes. Why had mother never gone on that trip? When did she ride a bike for the first time? Did she leave the stove on? Did she shower? Would she get into Columbia? Another deep breath…Focus. Breathe. This. Now. Here. Nowhere else. Ever.

Suddenly her mind sped up, racing like a freight train. But now it was racing forward…with a  singular direction. The memories faded like passing cities. The music, the music swept through her veins like wildfire. She must respond…but not yet. Not her time. Almost. Wait.

Now. She stepped forward. Into the grim light. Her mind empty. Her body responding to the endless melody. Her heart carrying her body forward in artful motion. Turning, careening, falling with grace. Falling but catching at the last possible moment. Like a flame dancing in wind. Unpredictable, but controlled. Every muscle, every nerve responding in beautiful union. The melody pulsing through her fingertips. Her hands reaching in silent prayer, unknown praises.

Chaos suspended. The world quiet for a moment. The moment of step. A step of faith. Believing that your body will obey. Beauty is in that step. True virtue is in that belief. Beauty that will bring tears. Tears at simply living. Breathing. Pulsing blood. The chaos, and worry, and noise, and despair, and hurt can be lost in that step.

She is suspended in slow motion. Her body not her own for those moments. Awake dear soul. Feel your life pulsing. Feel the motion of a thousand lives, colliding together every moment. Enough energy to power the world. Do not hesitate. Do not minimize. Do not look away. Step.