One of the things I love to do is sing. It is not something that I talk about here very often, but it is a passion of mine.
And I am not talking about just singing in the shower or singing in the van or singing in the rain (although I love doing all of those as well).
I am talking about singing for others (besides my family) to hear me, singing on “stage” in some form or fashion.
It has been a long time since I sang on a formal stage besides an altar.
I have sung for pay at both weddings and funerals and in church since I was a pre-teen.
I have been standing in front of others, singing psalms, hymns and carols for many years now and it never gets old.
Last weekend as I walked into the back room in our church where we store all of our choral books, robes, etc. my choir director was standing right there and asked me if I would mind singing the Psalm* for the day. I had never looked at it before so I was a little nervous to say yes but I told her I would try it.
So during our quick rehearsal before church I practiced it twice with the choir and that was it. I felt like I knew it well enough but I was still pretty anxious when I got up to the altar at that point in the mass.
Before I went up I said a little prayer, asking God to watch over me and calm my nerves and help me to get the notes and words right.
And I nailed it.
Now, I am not necessarily saying my prayer was answered (although it does kinda feel that way). I am saying that it felt so good to know that I CAN do that.
I am not trying to brag or say that I am the best singer or sight-reader or choir member. No, no.
What I am trying to say is that I was really proud of myself. And I am trying to remember to celebrate the good in me and appreciate the things I know I do well versus having negative thoughts about myself that bring me down.
Maybe this post will not be that well received because I am praising myself instead of playing the “woe is me” card. I feel like those seem to be the most popular posts out there.
But why is that? Is it because we all like to wallow in the not-so-good stuff?
I am not sure why but I can tell you that I am pretty tired of it!
It seems so many times that we can talk about what we love about others but we cannot seem to do the same for ourselves. Why IS that? And what is wrong with tooting your own horn every-now and again?
Well, guess what?! NOTHING!
I am a good singer. I always have been and hopefully always will be. Many times I think about getting into a recording studio someday and creating my own versions of some of my favorite songs for my kids to be able to hear later on down the road. I love that I can share my voice with others and I am thankful for the talent I have.
So, PLEASE tell me, what do you KNOW that you do well and/or love about yourself?
*the Psalm is the part of the mass between the two readings that is a Psalm from the Bible, usually sung or chanted but sometimes spoken as well.
I’d love to hear you sing! I bet you singing a carol would give me goose bumps.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying your talents and you’re talking about it.
I just recently started to really fully enjoy all that life has to offer and I’m so glad about it.
xoxo
I don’t think you are bragging or anything. I don’t know why people can’t talk about what they are good at without someone else getting all judgy and upset. Seems silly.
I would LOVE to hear you sing! You do a duet with you!
I am a pretty good singer too. I am so glad I’ve started singing again. I vow to someday be in a show again and on stage so Todd and my kids can see me. Todd has only seen me sing at jazz clubs or solos for choir, he has never seen me in a musical. That used to be such a huge part of me, it is odd he never saw that. I was really good. It would be nice to do that again. (and I’m a good dancer too, but only an okay actress).
Great post!
I have been told I can sing a bit like Nora Jones. My mom used to sing a lot of soul music to me when I was a baby little like Nina Simone and Etta James. Now I sing that to my daughter before bed.
I have always wanted to be a professional dancer. I dont have the discipline for it and never kept it up. But I love to dance like no one is watching.
I too would love to hear you sing 🙂
there is absolutely nothing wrong with knowing what your gifts are, and feeling good using them! Glad that you had the experience to remind yourself something that you’ve got, instead of being pulled down by what you don’t. we need to spend more energy in our lives looking for the ways we are full. love this, and that picture of you singing too :).
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to sing! My Dad is a Minister of Music, as well as a retired teacher, so when I was little he always had a job in the church! I sang for the first time with my parents when I was 5! In front of the whole church! I sang a solo in 2nd grade at our Easter program! Then I just never stopped! Got a scholarship for college the first time for choir and was in musical theater as well! It really is my passion that I don’t take enough time to enjoy anymore. It doesn’t help that the church we currently attend doesn’t have a choir! That use to be one of my favorite things about church! We may just have to fix that soon!
WOW! Sorry for the book!! I’m just glad we share a passion!!!
I wish I could sing well. I always wanted to sing or dance or act but I have to tell you – I do NOT feel good at any of those things, but that’s ok. I’ve never tried.
I do think I know my way around a camera and I like the way my mind works to write. I make connections I didn’t know I could make that way.
Now I’d very much like to hear you sing 🙂 Good for you Elaine 🙂
I love that you’re celebrating the beauty of your voice, and your God-given talent. You’re right, we need to do that more. Appreciate ourselves. I used to sing in the school choir, I think I was pretty good. 🙂
Good for you! I love that you’re celebrating your gifts! That’s the way it should be. 😉 Now we just a need a vlog so we can hear those pipes!
I love the idea of you recording songs for your kids, that would be such an amazing gift for them.
I love it. And I love that you know you are good at it and aren’t ashamed to say it. Even though I’m a little jealous. I’ve always wished I could sing, but it is most definitely NOT one of my gifts. I guess there’s some good in knowing what you aren’t good at too. LOL
I do love to sing! I don’t know if I’m any good, but I still love it. And I love to hear my husband and son singing too.
I love to sing! And used to do it ALL THE TIME! I even traveled to England to sing with a choir once.
Last time I sang in public was when I was pregnant with Gavin. I fainted, fell off the church stage, didn’t have a pulse but did have a concussion, and spent the day in the hospital (a day which I remember NONE of). I didn’t sing after that while pregnant and just haven’t gotten back into it.
You sing?! Awesome. I totally can’t sing in public. It’s one of my biggest fears. But that’s so awesome that you do it. Vlog? 😉
I’m not a good singer,but I can pretty much start singing a song based on a word or a sentence that someone says! My family always laughs at me (nicely). I think it’s great that you recognize that you are a good singer – we need to praise ourselves and celebrate the good!
Elaine, I didn’t know you could sing! That’s awesome – I love to sing too but I’m out of practice. I’ve realized that I enjoy hearing others sing more than I like to sing. I love that you’re celebrating your strengths! I’m good at a lot of different things, but I don’t excel at any of them. Does doing laundry count?
Way to go for nailing it and knowing your talents! It’s a good place to be in.
My singing typical involves singing in the car and bedtime songs!
Lovely. Sing on, my friend! (I’m a terrible singer, but I consider the car a safe belt-it-out zone.)
Yay for you Elaine. I can honestly say that is one thing I CAN”T do. People pay you to sing. People pay me not to. Ha. How wonderful that your have that talent and it brings you and others joy. I hope your opportunities to sing expand and enrich your life even more.
I really used to enjoy singing in church…and I must say I am not the best! But I’m so glad you nailed it and did what you love!
You rock. And now everybody else knows it, too. (Like they didn’t before!) I’m a pretty awesome napper, if I may be permitted to brag.
I love to sing, but my voice has never been strong enough to sing in front of other people…at least, not by myself. You should toot your own horn! I used to play a couple of different instruments, but that was a long time ago. 🙂
You should do this … what a lovely idea for years to come xxxx