The thing you doubt the most is probably what you're meant to do.

Why voice lessons didn't help me sing better. Speaking my mind did.

I can't say why it is that our greatest fear is often attached to our greatest purpose, and yet, I'm convinced this is true.

Eleanor Roosevelt is famously quoted as saying, “Do one thing every day that scares you,” and to this many people think of things like bungee jumping or holding a spider for 30 seconds.

In reality, I believe ‘ol Eleanor meant those deep down internal fears. Those things that make our body go limp, or freeze into a state of panic.

Speaking your mind.

Trusting your gut.

Following intuition.

Saying no.

Looking foolish.

Dancing in public.

Sining out loud.

Taking the job.

Stepping down from the job.

Saying I love you.

Leaving the relationship.

Those things that are within us that are a fundamental part of who we are, those are the parts of ourselves that we should stop ignoring and suppressing.

There is a voice inside somewhere that is the voice of truth. I call it my Holy Spirit voice. It is the one that feels calm, and grounded and the one that you are probably the most afraid of.

Tell me why…

If there is a voice in your head telling you you’re a piece of shit, you believe it.

If there is a knowing calling out to you from your heart that you were meant for something amazing and that you are capable of great things, you shut it out and write it off as insanity?

We do we do that?

Singing it out.

As I inch my way closer to 40, I hear more and more from people how beautiful of a singing voice I have.

“You’re so lucky you got to take voice lessons,” my cousin has told me.

While I understand this conclusion. She took voice lessons = she sings well…the reality is a bit different.

You see, I took voice lessons over 20 years ago and yet only in the last few years has my voice started to open up.

Why?

Because I have used my voice more and more.

I began by saying no to things I didn’t want to do.

I started recording TikTok’s thinking no one would watch.

I started a podcast thinking no one would listen.

As people watched and listened to my deepest thoughts and how my brain operates, I started to believe that maybe I actually had something to say.

When I took voice lessons those 20 some years ago, my voice teacher told me that my vocals were closed off because I carried all my tension in my throat muscles.

I carried all my tension in my throat muscles!!

AKA I was holding back my thoughts, opinions and beliefs for years.

And it’s only now that I can let them out.

Singing helps.

Singing is my therapy.

When the kids leave for school, I often times stand in front of my karaoke machine for hours just to heal and feel.

Our body will show us our fear

I know it sound hokey — and yet, one some deep level, maybe you’ve always suspected it’s true that our bodies, in fact, will show us where our fears lie and where we’re holding back.

Shoulder tension. Perhaps its from carrying the weight of the world on your back without realizing you have the option to let go.

Throat tension and thyroid issues? What are you not saying that needs to be said?

Heart ache. Tell me why…who hurt you before?

Please don’t come at me as if I think I am some healing witch doctor who can magically strip your pain, all I am saying is that our bodies will respond to the things within us that we leave unsaid or unprocessed.

Brent Brown has said that unused creativity is not benign. It metastasizes. In other words, our shut off forms of expression and playfulness need to be brought forth in order for us to live the life we were meant to live. If not, it will show up in the form of aches, pains, depression, and a life half lived.

Don’t live your life half way.

To me there is no bigger possible regret any of us could have than to live a life closed off from our truest self and our fullest potential.

When I say potential, I do not mean a certain job, title or earning potential.

Your potential is deeply rooted in your DNA. It is who you are, it is what you believe. It is the thoughts you have. The knowing in your heart. The creativity in your soul.

Each of us paints a picture throughout our lives, and most of us are only using half the color pallet that we were given.

Use your full pallet. Your life depends on it.