“If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it.”
-John Irwing
I have been thinking about this quote since the day we got the assignment and this made the most impact on me. This quote by John Irwing just hit me. I started young with my fear of singing. I was in choir in the 4th grade when we all auditioned for singing the National Anthem. I got up because before then I would sing in front of everyone no matter how bad I sounded. I realized when I got up there that I knew the lyrics but I had no clue what the tune was. So I got there and strung the lyrics up to some horrible blah blah sound. My face got redder and I knew that I was totally butchering it. When voting time came I peeked and saw that only one hand went up when my name was called. To my horror I stopped singing in front of everyone unless I was in a group.
During High School, I always loved to sing. Never in front of others, but, I would sing in the shower and around my house. I have always been one for theatrics and expression through any way possible. I chose this life lesson because even though I loved to sing so much, I had horrible stage-fright. Yes, I had stage fright, but only when it had to do with singing. And most of those that know me can probably find that hard to believe…because I’m a bit obnoxious at times.
Not only was I afraid but I also was being controlled by someone. During most of my 8th grade year through my Sophomore I was never really living for myself. This person influenced a lot of my life and after my sophomore year I began to hate being so confined by this person. This person told me what to wear, how I should act, what classes I should take and even how to talk to my parents. This person was the reason for my rebellious streak and I know I learned from it I just hope they have. I learned a courageous way to live and I have been progressing through my fears. This year I helped a friend with a project and it required singing. I recorded my voice for their project and then took an even bigger step when I performed at the poetry café…several times. Soon after I joined the Jazz choir and much to my delight got my first ever solo.
So the most influential lesson I learned in High School was to live for yourself and any way that makes you happy. Be happy with your life! If you don’t, you are going to be miserable. Don’t be miserable. After you are happy, have or gain the courage to be the best you can be. Don’t hide behind silly fears like stage fright, because almost all the time you are way better than you think. So go out there and live your life with the courage to love it. (: 