When my daughter first said she was interested in joining the children’s choir, I couldn’t help but smile.
She’s always been that kid in the backseat of the car, singing her heart out but completely off-tune. Her enthusiasm was contagious, even if her notes didn’t lend themselves to a duet.
We signed her up, and she loved being part of a group that appreciated music and had fun playing games together. The choir welcomed every child, regardless of their natural singing ability, making my daughter feel right at home.
Inevitably, we learned that a big recital was on the horizon.
Her excitement turned to nervousness, and she confided in me, “Dad, I’m really, really scared to sing in front of all those people.”
I understood her reluctance but reminded her of her commitment to her choir. Sometimes in life, we start doing something we love, but eventually, we have to step onto a bigger stage.
On the day of the recital, she was shaking with anxiety.
It almost broke my heart. I hugged her and reminded her, “You can do this. Remember how much fun it was to practice with your choir.”
With a deep breath and a half smile, she stepped into the spotlight.
Her voice may not have been pitch-perfect, but her determination shone through. As the last note faded, the audience applauded in delight. Tears welled up in my eyes as I watched my daughter face her fear head-on.
Afterward, I told her how proud I was of her courage to sign up for choir. She smiled and admitted, “I didn’t know I’d have to sing in front of so many people when I signed up.”
That moment made me realize how her journey is similar to most of our careers.
We often begin pursuing our passions because we love or excel at them. However, as we grow, we face larger audiences and more significant challenges. Just like my daughter had her choir director for guidance, we should seek mentors to help us improve and perform on a larger stage.
My daughter continued to sing in many choirs and even won an award at her middle school.
But here’s the thing – she never stopped feeling nervous. And that’s okay. I still feel anxious when I present at a conference.
Remember, life is like my daughter’s singing journey.
It’s about finding your passion, facing your fears, and never giving up, no matter how nervous you may be. Just like her, with help, we can all grow, improve, and shine, even when the spotlight feels intimidating.