Ok, so you know that I am a success coach but what you may not know about me is that I was a professional vocalist for over 20 years.
I abruptly quit singing after 20 years and essentially stopped singing for 8 years. I told myself, I was over it, that I no longer enjoyed singing and I wanted my weekends back. (That’s the story I told myself to make myself feel better for quitting).
When I would go to a show or concert, I would look up at the musicians on stage, and as much as I really enjoyed their music, I had to pretend it didn’t bother me that I wasn’t up there too. I would push down my emotions of envy and the self-loathing thoughts of, “If only…; I should have…; I could have…; or I’m not good enough…”
When I started studying personal development and working with my mentor, Bob Proctor, I realized the real reason I stopped singing…
I was too worried about what other’s thought of me and I had a poor self-image. I didn’t fully enjoy singing or fully express myself because I didn’t like myself very much.
How that manifested in my work was I would pass up opportunities to shine. I would stand back and let other people take the spotlight while I fell into a support role.
From the point of view of my fellow musicians, I appeared happy, dedicated, consistent and would rise to any challenge. They thought I was selfless and so easy to work with, in fact, in one band they called me “The Anti-Diva”.
I was so concerned about doing things wrong or not well enough or being judged that I really didn’t step into my greatness and as a result, the work that was bringing joy to thousands of audience members around the world was eating away at my soul.
The truth is, it wasn’t the work and music that were the issue; it was my paradigm and deep-rooted beliefs I had about myself that were literally tearing me apart from the inside out.
Recently I rediscovered my passion and joy for singing when I entered a talent show in Toronto. I sang the perfect song for me… and this song really resonates with anyone who struggles with that inner critic.
I’m not as in shape vocally as I was 8 years ago, but the emotion and passion are more present now as it ever was. Excuse the shaky video…I hope you enjoy 😉
When I finished singing, so many people came up to me with tears in their eyes and they told me how they could feel my energy. One woman confessed that I had cracked her armor. She had body issues and suffered from abuse and she felt inspired to share her truth on social media.
I saw then, how just simply shining and sharing my gift moved others…how dare I hide; how dare I be so selfish as to not share who I am when other people can benefit.
We all have talents and we all have things that we do better than anyone else. Where are you not allowing yourself to shine? Where, in your life are you not allowing yourself to be the fullest expression of yourself?
Are you letting other people, circumstances or that inner critic stop you from being who you were truly meant to be?
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Mary Morrisey
I have dedicated my life to helping people discover their passions, purpose and truth. If you are ready to stand in your truth, set and achieve meaningful goals and you are committed to living a life you absolutely love, then I want you to book a call with me so we can figure out a way I can best support you.
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