Lotus Magazine Archives

It can get frustrating at times, can't it? The dance community is infamous for its fast turnover rates (it's commonly estimated that most ravers have a two-year enjoyment limit) and this constant flux of community can be exhausting. Those of us who have somehow defied the two year rule find that our reward for endurance is watching new dancers make the same mistakes we made several years ago, learning the same lessons, then reaching the same level of disillusionment…but instead of persevering, many simply move on. It can be heartbreaking, it can be frustrating, but it can also offer a powerful lesson.

It's too easy to give up. It's too easy to say "This party sucks, what did I ever see in this, why am I doing this, I think it's time to move on." It's just too easy. It takes much more energy to say "I want to work to make this better for me. I want to change this. I want to create a community that I'm happy in."
The choice is yours.

One thing's for sure: comfort doesn't catalyze change. Think right now: As you're reading this magazine, are you comfortable? If you are, you certainly aren't going to think of moving, right? Why uncross your legs or shift your weight if you feel just fine where you are? It is the discomfort (of a leg falling asleep, of a cramp in your back, or of a community you're unimpressed with) that pushes us into action. Some choose that action to be moving on, labeling themselves as "Over It." Others choose their action to be getting off their asses and working together to make this community something we can all be proud of.

Trust us, each of us will feel that disillusionment--the question is how to deal with it. As you watch a younger dancer stumble around incoherent, do you sigh and frown and walk away? Or do you approach them, make sure they're feeling OK, and talk with them long enough to make sure they really are? The times when we feel the most frustration and irritation can be the times when there's a door waiting to be opened. When you see some "grumpy old raver" in the back of warehouse looking moody and irritated, do you happily skip past and ignore them? Or do you approach them, ask them if they're having a good time, and talk with them long enough to make sure they really are? Do you talk about creating community, or do you actively reach out to others to cultivate it?

There comes a time in each dancer's development when we must stop and refocus. Once you've adapted enough that a party every weekend seems standard instead of special, it's time to re-clarify what you're doing. You can't just take from the dance community, going out every weekend and expecting to have a good time; you must give back to the karma bank. Each of us has to refocus and put in that extra effort to actively affect change and positively encourage this movement that we call home.

Lotus isn't exempt from these realities. We've taken a few steps back, examined our motives, and made a few changes. You'll notice some things that we've decided to get rid of. You'll see that we've recommitted ourselves to education and encouraging our community to grow. We're publishing articles that might not be what you'd expect from a "rave magazine," but we hope you'll take the time to read them. If you don't like what you're reading, let us know. If you do like it, then pass it on to a friend.

Frustration is just a symptom that things are ripe for change. The question is whether you're going to go for the easy change (ug, this isn't right, screw it) or the more difficult, more rewarding change (ug, I need to work to make this better). We look forward to seeing what decision each of you reaches.

HAPPINESS AND HEALTH TO YOU ON WHATEVER PATH YOU CHOOSE.

Posted by Ariel Meadow Stallings at 01:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)