Why: The Terpsichorean Vector

Our lives are incomparable and unequaled works of art, none refuse, none perfect, just art.  The music we dance to is how we interpret our environment.  We all dance; we all have music; we all express what it is that we hear.  As I express my dance on these pages yet to come, know that I am still new to this whole dance thing, hopefully I am less than halfway across the dance floor. I’ve never claimed to know how to dance.  But as I place one foot in front of the other … may you learn my heart as I express my life to you.

We all start on one side of the dance floor and we all make it to the other side.  For some, it’s a straight line, for others they seem to zig or zag, some seem to flit, other fly across the floor.  As on any dance floor, there are those who seem to only sway to the rhythm they hear, some merely shuffle their feet while others seem to stomp across their floor.  However it’s express, we all dance.

Terpsichorean adj. [turp-si-KOR-e-an] The namesake of the adjective terpsichorean is the Greek muse Terpsichore for whom was one of the nine muses of Greek mythology. Often shown dancing and holding a lyre, she presided over the arts and sciences. Terpsichore was said to have inspired those who excelled at dancing. Not surprisingly, the adjective terpsichorean describes something that relates to dance. Example: “Amy’s terpsichorean activities had given her an enviable grace and agility.” The adjective has been in use in English since the 1800s.

Vector n. [vek-tər]

1. Mathematics.
   1. A quantity, such as velocity, completely specified by a magnitude and a direction.
   2. A one-dimensional array.
   3. An element of a vector space.
2. A force or influence.
3. A course or direction, as of an airplane.

As I have conjoined these two words, its essence evolves by its very nature.  For me, life is like a journey, a journey across a dance floor.  As with any dance, it is a fluid experience, a remarkable development.  Life is never static or stagnate.  The moment one genuinely ceases taking their series of steps, rhythmical or not, across their dance floor; they themselves cease to exist.  Dance, like life, is a process best known through the senses rather than by intuition.  Life is just that. Its quality is measured by its magnitude and direction.  The principle verve is known only by its force and directional course being lived out to its fullest capacity.  Life is a dance we all get.  Some dances are with partners other dances are not.  Some are to be interpretive others are meant to be experienced.

How will you dance your life away?

Jonathan Watson

October 13, 2009