Music has always come easily to me. It's a part of my life - much like my left arm. I could function with just my right arm, but everything is better when I can use both! Music is there when we are happy, when we are sad, when we are celebrating, and when we are mourning. Music has a way of expressing feelings much more easily than our words can - at least for me. It has always allowed me to say things that I can't find the courage to say in spoken words. I took piano lessons when I was 8 or 9 years old and then started again when I was 12 or so. Music is something that you have for your entire life. I still play the piano - albeit not well - when I find the time to sit down and enjoy it. Singing is even better than that because you have it with you all the time.............but I digress. I sang all through school in various choirs - the kindergarten glee club, music classes and concerts, jr high choir, church choirs and finally the high school choir. I was not, however, a soloist until college and after. I was asked to sing in my first wedding the summer before my freshman year of college. I had a year to get used to the idea and prepare. An important person in my life at that time was skeptical about my ability to do this. He/she told me that they "didn't think I was that good." That was a challenge to me! Now this person wasn't being mean, I think she/he just didn't think that I was up to the task. I wanted to be a soloist! I began to work hard. I sang all the time after that, mostly in my car. Even after this person was no longer in my life, I continued to sing. I sang at my cousin's wedding the summer after my freshman year and never looked back. I took vocal lessons one spring at NMSU and learned how to breathe correctly. I sang in many of my sorority sisters' weddings and learned that I COULD do this. Crowds didn't much bother me and I had been exposed to lots of large audiences through my piano and choir experiences. Singing in front of 500 people or more isn't an issue for me. There is, however, a secret. I have a personal philosophy that allows me not to worry about being a soloist at all!
The Sesame Street song says "Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear. Just sing, sing a song." That's my philosophy. I sing my best. If people don't like it, they won't ask me again. That's it! I know that seems kind of harsh, but it allows me to throw out my worry about people getting what they want when they ask me to sing. I sang at a lovely benefit on Saturday for the Genesis House in Edina, MO. I loved the song I sang, so I felt comfortable. I just walked up on stage, put on my pink glasses (which blur everything out in the audience because they are readers) picked up the mic, and started to sing. I usually look in the audience for a friendly face - last night it was John in the front row. As usual, the first phrase was a bit shakey, but then my philosophy kicked in! I can't be nervous - that's silly! What's the worst that could happen? They won't ask me again. Problem solved! From then on I sang well. (at least I think I did!) Here's the thing. I.LOVE.IT! That's why I do it.
So, friends, SING! Don't worry that it's not good enough, for anyone else to hear. Just sing, sing a song! Enjoy the beautiful spring weather. I know I am! Until next time, Just Julie
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