I have a story about my life that is bursting to come out because it will help so many people. It may be about music, but it’s not about flute or piano. It’s about singing.
I have always loved to sing. I sang before I could talk. My mom told me that I would sing in my sleep when I was a baby. When my mom told me that, my husband said that I still do. Poor guy.
All my childhood, I was told to not sing by everyone except for my parents and a select other few. This was not because I was singing at inappropriate times. It was because almost everyone around me hated my singing voice. I sang, anyway, because I loved it.
Every choir director that I had from 5th grade through 12th grade took me aside and said, “Tarah, please, just don’t sing. Please, Tarah, just don’t sing.” All but two said exactly those same words.
I won’t mention what the other two said. One was much more kind, and the other was much less kind.
Guess what I did? I sang, anyway.
When I Realized the Lie
I realized early in life that if I am in choir, I get flute solos. Therefore, I’m always in church choir. About five years out of college, the church choir director asked me to do a singing solo. During the rehearsal. In front of everyone.
I said, “You don’t have to be nice and offer me a solo. I know I don’t have a good voice. Go ahead and give it to one of the better singers.”
After she picked her jaw up off the floor, she said, “What makes you think that?”
I said, “Every choir director I had from 5th through 12th grade told me I shouldn’t sing.”
Still flabbergasted, she gave me the solo.
That Was Then, This Is Now.
I’m still in a church choir that’s adults only. If I’m sick or can’t make it to a service, everyone is upset because I’m such a good leader.
I get compliments on my voice all the time. I’m one of those people who sings if there’s a song that applies to what we’re talking about.
On nice days during November and December, I’m tempted to stand next to a bell ringer and sing, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” and continue on with my day as if nothing happened. I’ve never actually done it. Someday maybe I’ll do it. Maybe.
Your Takeaway
Now it’s time to apply my story to you.
If someone isn’t very good at something, encourage them. They just need practice.
If someone is very good at something, encourage them. They may not have any encouragement in their lives.
If someone tells you that you’re not good enough, don’t give up. Keep going. Do it because you love to do it. Don’t let them take away your joy.