March 28, 2014

I've been thinking a lot about my teen years the past few days. (Probably those throw back pictures....) and I was reminded of a little growing experience I had in Jr High, and thought I'd share... I have always loved musical theater, and was in Musical Theater and Production classes all through Jr High and High School. I am a decent dancer, so I could hold my own there, but mostly a mediocre singer. I was usually cast in a small speaking role, but mostly sang only in a chorus. When I was in the 9th grade, it was announced that we would be performing Tom Sawyer. Because of the limited number of parts, the teacher had decided to double-cast the show. The show would run 4 nights, each cast performing 2 nights. I was cast as Cousin Mary. That meant I would have to sing. SOLO. The other Mary was THAT girl. You know, the incredibly talented and beautiful one with the awesome, professionally trained voice. She was cast as the lead in almost every show. How could I compete with that? I practiced and worried myself to death. Finally, just a few days before the show, the teacher pulled me aside to practice. He asked me what was wrong. I told him my insecurities and that I didn't think I could do it, that compared to the other girl, I would sound horrible. He reminded me that we would never actually be singing together, so it didn't matter what she could do. Then he said to me, "Look at me. YOU CAN DO THIS. If I didn't think you could do it, I never would have cast you in this role." From that point I decided that good or bad, I would give it all I had. And guess what? I did it. And I DIDN'T suck. :) Remember, whether you think you can, or you think you can't.... You're right. Whatever you need to do, or whatever trial you have to get through, or whatever you are challenged with in this life, BELIEVE you can do it! You got this. I have faith in you! :)