One day, in band camp.
LOL! Just kidding.
Were you in band or choir in high school?
Taking it back old school with a BOLD MESSAGE today, beloved.
I absolutely loved being in band and playing my saxophone, but CHOIR?
So nerve-racking.
What's the point?
Let me frame it up, and I know you'll 100% relate.
I was a nervous kid who had just joined the school choir, feeling totally out of my depth because I didn't know the songs.
The choir teacher, Mr. Krinke, saw my potential, so he put me next to the "first chair" - the best in the class - to sharpen my skill set.
During practice, Mr. Krinke caught me and some others lip-syncing, trying to hide that we weren't sure of the notes.
Mr. Krinke stopped us and said, "Kassandra, I need you to sing out loud, even if it's not perfect.
Make those mistakes with confidence.
When you do, I'll hear what's wrong, and we can fix it together.
But I can't help you find your voice if you don't sing."
So, I took a deep breath and belted out the notes, messing up plenty but giving it my all.
Mr. Krinke nodded and showed me what to tweak, and I started getting better.
This taught me the [VALUE OF A VOW] TO NO MATTER WHAT - COMMIT, LEARN AND TAKE THE NEXT SMALL STEP.
It's the difference between avoiding mistakes, like lip-syncing to life to avoid looking bad, and owning every ounce of our path of learning, like singing boldly even if it isn't yet where you desire to be.
Perfection kills. Breath and joy of learning the notes of life is a feedback loop of God's Grace of BECOMING in our creation.
When I was brave, I could learn and grow because I was open to Mr. Krinke's feedback.
But if I stayed scared, I'd just stay stuck.
I have gratitude to Mr. Krinke, as I learned to take that leap and find my voice.
I also know you've had an experience like this.
Find your "first chair" - meaning people that have what you desire and resource the heck out of it to make you better, not compare or fake someone else's path.
Its virtues: have conviction and be bold in your calling.
This goes back to 10,000 hours - anything you practice, you'll eventually learn lessons on the journey and become excellent, not the best, but excellent and humbly proud.
Belt your love for life. We all need your note in this symphony in life.
xo Love, Kassandra.
