Giving up is not an option.

Wednesday was my very first day of fall dance classes. I was so excited to do tap because I didn't do any tap during the summer but, when I put on my tap shoes something terrible happened.

I couldn't remember ANYTHING. I was flapping when my teacher said shuffle and I was shuffling when she said flap. The entire tap class was a total disaster. I almost ran out crying. I almost said "Forget it, I can't do this, I'm not good enough." I almost gave up my favorite class.

I looked at the other girls time-stepping (tap step) like it was something they did 20 times a day and I couldn't even do a stupid shuffle. Tap was my favorite type of dance and I couldn't even do a step that was drilled into me from the first time I put on a pair of tap shoes.

I was so embarrassed and I felt like I was holding the other girls back. I apologized to the girls and to my teacher because, I just couldn't believe I couldn't even do elementary steps.

My teacher looked at me with the most serious face and said "Amy, don't apologize, I'm not worried about it. I know you, and I know you will get it because I know when you leave here you will go home and practice." She asked me if I remembered my first summer jazz class. I was so lost the entire class but I went home and I practiced my butt off. I even practiced in my head when I wasn't physically practicing and when I came back during the 2nd week I had vastly improved.

I know my teacher saw my battle and my disappointment in myself. Fortunately, she was able to remind me of what I was capable of doing. She let me know she believed in me and, sometimes that is the difference between giving up and putting on your big girl panties.

I didn't cry and I didn't quit. There's no crying in dance and there is certainly NO QUITTING! I put on my big girl panties (I wouldn't mind if they were a little smaller). I put my head down and I did the very best I could, knowing next week I would do better.

I had a defining moment during that class. I couldn't see the forest for the trees. I couldn't find that dedication and determination I have had since my very first dance class because, I couldn't get past my disappointment and my embarrassment. Miss Jayme did something amazing for me in that small moment that I couldn't do for myself. She believed in me. Now, the best thing I can do to pay her back, is practice, work hard, and not give up!

Do you have someone in your corner? Do you have someone to believe in you when you forget to believe in yourself? If you don't I want you to e-mail me. AmyhAdams14@gmail.com

"I can't" is no longer a part of your vocabulary. "I can, I just need time to practice" is. Quitting is not an option for me and it's not an option for you either. There are going to be times you want to run out screaming, throw your hands up, and give up. There are going to be times when you too can not see the forrest for the trees but you know what? You can do it as long as you don't give up.

I'm here to tell you, it is NOT impossible. It might be hard, it might be embarrassing, and it might be frustrating but it is NOT impossible. You aren't going to get on the treadmill and run a mile your very first time. I'm not going to put on my tap shoes and be as good as I was 10 years ago. I have to work hard and practice and so do you!

I'll leave you guys with a funny... this is totally how I felt last week!