Sing.

I don’t give enough attention to the things in life that bring me joy. They deserve attention and recognition, and should be thought of regularly.

I discovered something today. Something obvious to someone looking in but was not clear to me until today. I realized that singing lessons make me very happy. I leave each lesson feeling energized, creatively charged, empowered, and excited to share what I learned with anyone who will listen. I’ve learned to let go of fear of failure and just sing. Its liberating.

There is something about using only the voice you have to create sounds that can be filled with emotion, story telling, and soul.

I remember my first lesson, I was terrified to sing. I held myself back from trying with all my might, afraid of being terrible, embarrassing, of trying to hard…afraid of being good. Its been 6 months since I started, give or take a few weeks. Marina, a friend and coworker, asked today as we sat in the park (social distancing, of course), “if someone pulled out a guitar and played a song you know, would you sing?” and without hesitation I said, “Yes”. I amazed myself with that reply, it was instinctual. The fears of judgment I used to have are so infrequent they didn’t show themselves in that question at all. It was a moment of realizing that doing something because you enjoy it outweighs anyone else’s opinions, or at least it should.

Its amazing how much growth can happen in short time if you let yourself give into the skill you are learning.

I started singing to continue a new life mantra I’ve been following, one that revolves around challenging my fears. To push the boundaries of my comfort zone and remind myself that the only thing we cannot trust is what fear tells us. I need to find a new challenge in this COVID-19 situation, I’ve been far too comfortable.