Piano has always been my thing.
Singing? Not so much.
{I’m great at finding the harmony, but I’m definitely not solo material. Put me with a group in the back and I’m just fine.}
So I surprised even myself when I stepped up to pinch hit with a vocal solo a few years back.
I was traveling with a girls’ choir from a Teen Challenge center in New York. As a staff member, I drove one of the vans, got the women in place when it was time for them to perform, and stood in the back of the room and made large gestures that reminded them to smile.
But minutes before leaving for one of our concerts, one of the women had to pull out of going along. She had a key solo.
No one was willing to step up and take the solo. So I did.
Good grief.
The choir sang with background accompaniment tapes, so there wasn’t any extra help from someone sitting at a piano who could play a little louder during the solo. I wasn’t wearing the standard uniform like the other choir members, so I clearly stood out. I was the only one holding a music book in my hands. I stood in the center of the front row, and solo sang the verses to Cup of Cold Water. I gave it everything I had – knowing with every measure that this was not my finest moment.
At the end of the concert, the other staff member who was managing the sound system walked up to me and said, That was very brave of you. {I could read between the lines.}
But you know? It was brave. And I did it. Besides. My one little solo probably gave those in attendance more to talk about on the way home!
That moment is a very vivid memory. I stepped waaaayyy out of my comfort zone, knowing that it wouldn’t be perfect. Yes, it was the right thing to do “for the team”…but what I am most proud of is my bravery.
How many times do I say No to opportunities, simply because I don’t think my participation will be perfect. Good enough. Or I don’t have the right thing to wear. Or it seems too hard. Or I might look stupid or silly.
If I wait until I think I’m ready? Or have it perfected? I’ll never do it. I’ll put it off with excuses. And I will never be brave.
Writing the book. Teaching Sunday School. Volunteering to plan the party. Initiating the difficult conversation. Joining the exercise group. {Believe me…you don’t have to wear the perfect outfit. And you certainly don’t have to be in shape first!}
We aren’t called to be perfect. We are expected to show up.
Care to join me?
Let’s all be a little braver today.
Let’s raise our hands. Have the conversation. Wear our jeans in public without wearing Spanx.
Life is too short to sit on the sidelines, don’t you think?
I’m choosing to show up and be brave.
