THE CITIZEN INDEX

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

"Dare"



"Jazz shouldn't have any mandates. Jazz is not supposed to be something that's required to sound like jazz. For me, the word 'jazz' means, 'I dare you.' The effort to break out of something is worth more than getting an A in syncopation. This music, it's dealing with the unexpected. No one really knows how to deal with the unexpected. How do you rehearse the unknown?"
                                                                                                                                                                  -Wayne Shorter


I dare you to step outside your comfort zone and try on something you've always liked, but maybe felt it wasn't "you." 

I dare you to find a good song in a genre of music you've said in the past that you've hated. Serve yourself up some good top 40, electronica, disco, dancehall, doom metal, smooth jazz, blues or country- whatever category you've previously steered away from.

I dare you to look a homeless man or woman in the eye when you cross paths, and offer up a smile normally reserved for a loved one. 

I dare you. I double dog dare you: to forgive yourself that one thing that wakes you up at night. To laugh off the burnt casserole, the coffee stained $200 cashmere sweater, the misplaced book, the forgotten anniversary, the sat upon designer sunglasses. 

I dare you to finish this day with the mind set that whatever happened during it, is OK by you. That you will survive. Thrive. And know it's good to be alive. 

I dare you to flirt with yourself. To fall passionately in love with your own crooked smile, profile, and personal style. 

Life comes without any dress rehearsals. It's all jazz, baby. 

You can sing it, in any key.  
So, go ahead, and dare.



10 comments:

Patti said...

so great! Jazz has that quality of you don't know what's going to happen next. And forgiveness is always a balm for the soul. xox

Pam @ over50feeling40 said...

Bring on the jazz...I love this Bella!! Every word...well done!

Susan B said...

Now you're talking my kinda music! Love Wayne Shorter. And yes, when you stop improvising, life gets very very dull.

SeƱora Allnut said...

oh dear lady, love to be dared, love challenges, love laughing when casseroles burn and coffee stains my new jacket (that really happened!), and love to read your posts!, your wise inspiring words make me feel I can Kick Asses all day long and stay smiling like a lady!
You're Fabulous!!
besos

Suzanne said...

Great advice. Rolling with it is an under rated skill.

bisous
Suzanne

Curtise said...

I hear ya, Bella! "How do you rehearse the unknown?" I like that. xxx

Jill said...

Wow Bella, what a great post. And I'm reading it at a time when I can use that advice, so THANK YOU! I know you are crazy busy right now but could you possibly send me (or direct me) toward your favorite picture of yourself in red? I know you have a ton of red in your closet! Adrienne and I are featuring red for the next "How I Wear My" and I would love it if you could join us, you always wear red with no fear. XO, Jill

Sasha Maria said...

That's such a great way to think of jazz! Such a great way to think of life in general. The unexpected aspects dare you to engage them, and, really, what happens if you don't?

Jean at www.drossintogold.com said...

I love you Bella. I could tick off a few of those "dares", especially the one that wakes you up at night. I've always been susceptible. Thanks for the nudge and reminder. XXXXOOOO



Unknown said...

Love this post Bella! Absolutely love it.
Happy day
Wendy
Simply Sassy Style